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 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4034 | Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4072 | Inspector General Appointment Modification | Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21) |
| May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4071 | Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18) |
| May 18, 2010 | OH | SB 210 | Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 18, 2010 | OH | SB 210 | Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 17, 2010 | MN | HF 1 | 2010-2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14) |
| May 13, 2010 | SC | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3989 | Debit Card Fee Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 33) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3991 | Credit Rating Agency Board | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 35) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3987 | Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Termination | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 55) |
| May 13, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3832 | Establishing Bankruptcy Process for Non-bank Financial Institutions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58) |
| May 12, 2010 | VT | H 485 | Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| May 12, 2010 | CO | SB 191 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| May 12, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3962 | Home Loan Regulation Modifications | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| May 12, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3955 | Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57) |
| May 12, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3955 | Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57) |
| May 12, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3816 | Derivatives Regulation Modifications | Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 59) |
| May 12, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3962 | Home Loan Regulation Modifications | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| May 12, 2010 | MO | HB 1311 | Coverage for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6) |
| May 12, 2010 | LA | SB 348 | Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 11, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3938 | Study on Ending the Conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| May 11, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3839 | Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56) |
| May 11, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3760 | Federal Reserve Audit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62) |
| May 11, 2010 | LA | SB 407 | Removing Record Check Fee for Class D and E Drivers Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| May 10, 2010 | TN | SB 63 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1238 | Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 8, 2010 | KS | HB 2130 | Amending Seat Belt Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
| May 7, 2010 | KS | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 7, 2010 | KS | HB 2180 | Expansion of Gambling Operations Industry | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
| May 6, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3826 | Consumer Financial Protection Division Within The FDIC | Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61) |
| May 6, 2010 | IL | SB 642 | Public University Borrowing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 6, 2010 | CO | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | SB 438 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| May 5, 2010 | MN | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | HB 4927 | Video Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| May 3, 2010 | NY | S 7678 | Amending Charter School Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 15) |
| April 30, 2010 | CO | SB 191 | Education Law 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 | CO | HB 1348 | Regulations on Radioactive Material | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 28, 2010 | CT | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 28, 2010 | MN | SF 2716 | Charter School Facilities Financing Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 15) |
| April 27, 2010 | VT | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| April 23, 2010 | CO | SB 190 | Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 22, 2010 | AZ | HB 2338 | Yellow Light Standardization | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| April 22, 2010 | FL | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | SB 121 | Highway Construction Appropriations from the Alabama Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 8) |
| April 21, 2010 | LA | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 20, 2010 | MO | SB 943 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 15, 2010 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 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 | WI | SB 437 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| April 15, 2010 | WI | SB 434 | Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| April 15, 2010 | WI | SB 434 | Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| April 15, 2010 | FL | SB 622 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| April 14, 2010 | HI | HB 2421 | Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 14, 2010 | AL | HB 105 | Required Physical Education | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| April 14, 2010 | SC | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| April 13, 2010 | NE | LB 999 | Temporary Prohibition on New Hospital Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| April 12, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| April 12, 2010 | MD | SB 590 | Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| April 12, 2010 | MD | SB 277 | Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 12, 2010 | WA | HB 2493 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| April 10, 2010 | MD | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| April 9, 2010 | NE | LB 780 | PTSD Workers' Compensation Benefits for First Responders | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5) |
| April 7, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 7, 2010 | MD | HB 825 | Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 6, 2010 | NE | Amdt 2454 | Limiting First Responder PTSD Death Benefits to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 27) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4034 | Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4072 | Inspector General Appointment Modification | Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21) |
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4071 | Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18) |
| 5/18 | SB 210 | Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/18 | SB 210 | Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/17 | HF 1 | 2010-2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14) |
| 5/13 | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3989 | Debit Card Fee Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 33) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3991 | Credit Rating Agency Board | Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 35) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3987 | Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Termination | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 55) |
| 5/13 | S Amdt 3832 | Establishing Bankruptcy Process for Non-bank Financial Institutions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58) |
| 5/12 | H 485 | Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 5/12 | SB 191 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 3962 | Home Loan Regulation Modifications | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 3955 | Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 3955 | Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 3816 | Derivatives Regulation Modifications | Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 59) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 3962 | Home Loan Regulation Modifications | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| 5/12 | HB 1311 | Coverage for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 5/12 | SB 348 | Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/11 | S Amdt 3938 | Study on Ending the Conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36) |
| 5/11 | S Amdt 3839 | Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56) |
| 5/11 | S Amdt 3760 | Federal Reserve Audit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62) |
| 5/11 | SB 407 | Removing Record Check Fee for Class D and E Drivers Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| 5/10 | SB 63 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 5/10 | HB 1238 | Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 5/08 | HB 2130 | Amending Seat Belt Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
| 5/07 | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 5/07 | HB 2180 | Expansion of Gambling Operations Industry | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
| 5/06 | S Amdt 3826 | Consumer Financial Protection Division Within The FDIC | Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61) |
| 5/06 | SB 642 | Public University Borrowing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| 5/06 | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 5/05 | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| 5/05 | SB 438 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 5/05 | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| 5/05 | HB 4927 | Video Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11) |
| 5/05 | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 5/03 | S 7678 | Amending Charter School Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 15) |
| 4/30 | SB 191 | Education Law 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 | HB 1348 | Regulations on Radioactive Material | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| 4/28 | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| 4/28 | SF 2716 | Charter School Facilities Financing Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 15) |
| 4/27 | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| 4/23 | SB 190 | Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 4/22 | HB 2338 | Yellow Light Standardization | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| 4/22 | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 4/21 | SB 121 | Highway Construction Appropriations from the Alabama Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 4/21 | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| 4/20 | SB 943 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 4/15 | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 4/15 | SB 94 | State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 4/15 | SB 437 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 4/15 | SB 434 | Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 4/15 | SB 434 | Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 4/15 | SB 622 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| 4/14 | HB 2421 | Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 4/14 | HB 105 | Required Physical Education | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| 4/14 | H 3584 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| 4/13 | LB 999 | Temporary Prohibition on New Hospital Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| 4/12 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| 4/12 | SB 590 | Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| 4/12 | SB 277 | Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| 4/12 | HB 2493 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| 4/10 | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| 4/09 | LB 780 | PTSD Workers' Compensation Benefits for First Responders | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5) |
| 4/07 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/07 | HB 825 | Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 4/06 | Amdt 2454 | Limiting First Responder PTSD Death Benefits to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 27) |