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
March 17, 2010 GA SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 13, 2010 WV HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 12)
March 12, 2010 WV HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 VA HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
March 11, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
March 10, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
March 10, 2010 VA HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 10, 2010 ID S 1352 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
March 9, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 9, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 9, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 8, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 8, 2010 UT SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
March 8, 2010 UT HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
March 5, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 4, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 20 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Failed - House (17 - 41)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
March 3, 2010 NM HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 38)
March 3, 2010 AZ HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 3, 2010 CO HB 1147 Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
March 3, 2010 ID H 528 Increasing Health Insurance Regulations Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
March 2, 2010 UT HB 196 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
March 2, 2010 AZ SB 1334 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 26, 2010 National HR 2701 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (235 - 168)
Feb. 26, 2010 ID S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2010 KS HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
Feb. 25, 2010 IN SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2010 WI AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2010 UT SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 IL HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 VT S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2010 WV HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 23, 2010 IN HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30)
Feb. 22, 2010 VA HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2010 SD HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2010 TN SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2010 UT HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 231 Authorizing Education Retirement Board Pension Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA HB 1108 "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plates Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/17 SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/16 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/16 SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/13 HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 12)
3/12 HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/11 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
3/11 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
3/10 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
3/10 HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/10 S 1352 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
3/09 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/09 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/09 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/08 HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/08 SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
3/08 HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
3/05 HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/04 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/03 SF 20 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
3/03 SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
3/03 SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Failed - House (17 - 41)
3/03 HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
3/03 HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
3/03 HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 38)
3/03 HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/03 HB 1147 Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
3/03 H 528 Increasing Health Insurance Regulations Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
3/02 HB 196 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
3/02 SB 1334 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/26 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/26 HR 2701 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (235 - 168)
2/26 S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/25 HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
2/25 SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/25 AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/24 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
2/24 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/24 HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
2/24 S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
2/24 HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/23 HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
2/23 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
2/22 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30)
2/22 HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
2/18 SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/18 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/17 SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/17 HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
2/17 HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/17 SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
2/17 HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/16 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/16 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/16 HB 231 Authorizing Education Retirement Board Pension Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/16 HB 1108 "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plates Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/16 SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)

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