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:
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.
| 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) |