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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 17, 2010 | National | S 3772 | Paycheck Fairness Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41) |
| Nov. 10, 2010 | MI | HB 6224 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Sept. 29, 2010 | MI | HB 6007 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Sept. 28, 2010 | National | S 3816 | Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
| Sept. 28, 2010 | National | S 3816 | Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
| Sept. 16, 2010 | National | HR 5297 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| Sept. 14, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4595 | Business Transaction Reporting Requirement Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | SB 1391 | Business Tax Incentive Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | AB 1998 | Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
| Aug. 30, 2010 | CA | AB 2470 | Individual Health Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Aug. 26, 2010 | CA | SB 145 | Prohibiting Denial of Workers' Compensation if the Injury or Death was Related to Certain Personal Characteristics | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Aug. 26, 2010 | CA | AB 482 | Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | AB 1600 | Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Aug. 23, 2010 | CA | AB 2666 | Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| July 29, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4519 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| July 15, 2010 | National | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| July 13, 2010 | MO | HB 2 | Manufacturing Jobs Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| July 9, 2010 | NC | HB 1973 | Keep North Carolina Competitive Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17) |
| July 8, 2010 | NC | HB 1035 | Performance and Payment Bond Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2090 | Car Inspection Waiver | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 21, 2010 | NY | A 9705 | 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| June 16, 2010 | NY | S 2165B | Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1264 | Airline Passenger Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1163 | Denials of Health Care Coverage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 974 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1121 | Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 900 | Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 27, 2010 | IL | SB 3658 | Temporary Sales Tax Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8) |
| May 27, 2010 | TN | SB 3012 | Guns in Bars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 27, 2010 | OH | SB 239 | Allowing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 20, 2010 | National | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 39) |
| May 19, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3746 | Allowing States to Limit Credit Card Interest Rates | Amendment Rejected - Senate (35 - 60) |
| May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4034 | Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4071 | Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18) |
| May 13, 2010 | SC | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| May 13, 2010 | MO | SB 586 | Sexually Oriented Business Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3987 | Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Termination | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 55) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3989 | Debit Card Fee Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 33) |
| May 12, 2010 | LA | SB 348 | Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | SB 12 | Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| May 7, 2010 | CO | HB 1358 | Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 6, 2010 | KS | HB 2360 | Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | SB 3267 | Elder Financial Exploitation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9) |
| May 4, 2010 | CT | SB 493 | Increasing Use of Renewable Energy | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| May 3, 2010 | CO | HB 1141 | Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| April 30, 2010 | CO | HB 1351 | Limiting Payday Loan Interest Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 30, 2010 | CT | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 28, 2010 | KS | SB 514 | Sexually Oriented Business Regulations | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| April 28, 2010 | CO | HB 1348 | Regulations on Radioactive Material | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/17 | S 3772 | Paycheck Fairness Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41) |
| 11/10 | HB 6224 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 9/29 | HB 6007 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 9/28 | S 3816 | Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
| 9/28 | S 3816 | Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
| 9/16 | HR 5297 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| 9/14 | S Amdt 4595 | Business Transaction Reporting Requirement Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| 8/31 | SB 1391 | Business Tax Incentive Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17) |
| 8/31 | AB 1998 | Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
| 8/30 | AB 2470 | Individual Health Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 8/26 | SB 145 | Prohibiting Denial of Workers' Compensation if the Injury or Death was Related to Certain Personal Characteristics | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| 8/26 | AB 482 | Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 8/25 | AB 1600 | Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 8/25 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 8/23 | AB 2666 | Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| 7/29 | S Amdt 4519 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| 7/15 | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| 7/13 | HB 2 | Manufacturing Jobs Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 7/09 | HB 1973 | Keep North Carolina Competitive Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17) |
| 7/08 | HB 1035 | Performance and Payment Bond Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| 6/28 | S 2090 | Car Inspection Waiver | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 6/21 | A 9705 | 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 6/16 | S 2165B | Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 6/03 | SB 1264 | Airline Passenger Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| 6/03 | SB 1163 | Denials of Health Care Coverage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 6/03 | SB 974 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 6/03 | SB 1121 | Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 6/01 | SB 900 | Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 5/27 | SB 3658 | Temporary Sales Tax Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8) |
| 5/27 | SB 3012 | Guns in Bars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 5/27 | SB 239 | Allowing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 5/20 | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 39) |
| 5/19 | S Amdt 3746 | Allowing States to Limit Credit Card Interest Rates | Amendment Rejected - Senate (35 - 60) |
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4034 | Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4071 | Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18) |
| 5/13 | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 5/13 | SB 586 | Sexually Oriented Business Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3987 | Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Termination | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 55) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3989 | Debit Card Fee Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 33) |
| 5/12 | SB 348 | Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/11 | SB 12 | Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 5/07 | HB 1358 | Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 5/06 | HB 2360 | Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 5/05 | SB 3267 | Elder Financial Exploitation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9) |
| 5/04 | SB 493 | Increasing Use of Renewable Energy | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 5/03 | HB 1141 | Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 4/30 | HB 1351 | Limiting Payday Loan Interest Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/30 | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/28 | SB 514 | Sexually Oriented Business Regulations | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 4/28 | HB 1348 | Regulations on Radioactive Material | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |