Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 10, 2010 MN HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
May 10, 2010 TN HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 7, 2010 IL HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
May 7, 2010 KS HB 2650 Transportation Works For Kansas Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 642 Public University Borrowing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
May 6, 2010 KS HB 2360 Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 5, 2010 IL SB 3695 Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
May 5, 2010 OK SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
May 5, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 4, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 4, 2010 IL HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
April 30, 2010 CT SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
April 28, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 27, 2010 VT SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
April 26, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 23, 2010 CO SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
April 21, 2010 GA HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 20, 2010 GA HB 1405 Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 20, 2010 MO SB 943 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 18, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 18, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 16, 2010 CO HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
April 15, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 15, 2010 MO SB 1014 Limiting Prison Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
April 14, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
April 14, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 8, 2010 NE LB 842 Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 7, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 6, 2010 ME LD 1830 Suspending Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 5, 2010 CO SB 133 Income Tax Credit Incentive for Colorado Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
April 5, 2010 CO SB 133 Income Tax Credit Incentive for Colorado Businesses Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
April 1, 2010 GA HB 307 Hospital Medicaid Fee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 1, 2010 GA HB 1023 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 1, 2010 AL SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 31, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
March 31, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 30, 2010 IA HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 30, 2010 KS HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15)
March 30, 2010 SD SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 29, 2010 MN HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 23)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 29, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 26, 2010 KY HB 368 Telephone and Online Gambling Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 26, 2010 ME LD 1552 Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 26, 2010 IA S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
March 26, 2010 CT SB 492 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 26, 2010 NE LR 284 CA Abolishing Office of State Treasurer Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 25, 2010 NE LB 1105 Death Penalty Cost Study Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 22)
March 24, 2010 ID H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 24, 2010 NE LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
March 24, 2010 NE LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
March 24, 2010 MI SB 1163 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/10 HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
5/10 HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/07 HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
5/07 HB 2650 Transportation Works For Kansas Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/06 SB 642 Public University Borrowing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
5/06 HB 2360 Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/05 SB 3695 Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
5/05 SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
5/05 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/05 SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/04 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/04 HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
4/30 SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/28 HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
4/28 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/27 SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
4/26 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/23 SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
4/21 HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/20 HB 1405 Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/20 SB 943 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/18 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/18 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/16 HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
4/15 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/15 SB 1014 Limiting Prison Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
4/14 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
4/14 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
4/12 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
4/12 HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
4/12 HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/08 LB 842 Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/07 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/06 LD 1830 Suspending Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/05 SB 133 Income Tax Credit Incentive for Colorado Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
4/05 SB 133 Income Tax Credit Incentive for Colorado Businesses Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
4/01 HB 307 Hospital Medicaid Fee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/01 HB 1023 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/01 SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/31 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
3/31 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/30 HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/30 HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15)
3/30 SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/29 HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 23)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/29 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/26 HB 368 Telephone and Online Gambling Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/26 LD 1552 Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/26 SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/26 S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
3/26 SB 492 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/26 LR 284 CA Abolishing Office of State Treasurer Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/26 SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/26 SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/25 LB 1105 Death Penalty Cost Study Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 22)
3/24 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/24 LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
3/24 LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
3/24 SB 1163 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)

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