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 2, 2011 | CT | SB 1239 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| April 28, 2011 | MT | HB 2 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 25, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 14, 2011 | National | HR 1473 | 2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19) |
| April 12, 2011 | MT | HB 2 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
| April 12, 2011 | GA | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10) |
| April 11, 2011 | MT | HB 439 | Authorizing New Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| April 7, 2011 | AL | SB 133 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| April 5, 2011 | AZ | HB 2619 | Unemployment Security Special Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 4, 2011 | ID | S 1202 | Appropriations to Secretary of State | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 30, 2011 | NY | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| March 27, 2011 | MS | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 17, 2011 | National | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13) |
| March 16, 2011 | NM | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| March 16, 2011 | AZ | SB 1613 | Budget Proposal | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 10, 2011 | AZ | SCR 1019 | State Appropriations | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 9, 2011 | WI | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1) |
| March 9, 2011 | MI | SB 158 | Collective Bargaining Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | NC | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| March 9, 2011 | National | HR 1 | Continuing Appropriations | Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56) |
| March 9, 2011 | National | S Amdt 149 | Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58) |
| March 9, 2011 | TN | SJR 18 | Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting an Income Tax | Amendment Adopted - Senate (28 - 5) |
| March 3, 2011 | NJ | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| March 2, 2011 | KY | HB 305 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| March 2, 2011 | National | H J Res 44 | Continuing Appropriations Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9) |
| March 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 115 | Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40) |
| March 2, 2011 | AZ | SB 1231 | State Spending Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 1, 2011 | National | S Amdt 112 | Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt | Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | UT | SB 270 | Modifications to Sales and Use Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | TX | SJR 1 | Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | AR | SB 275 | Reduction of Excise Tax on Electricity and Natural Gas | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | NJ | S2636 | Reduction of Toll Road Prices | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | AZ | HB 2001 | Tax Reductions for Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | IA | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | KS | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| Feb. 3, 2011 | MN | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 9 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 28 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| Jan. 31, 2011 | NY | S 2706 | Limitations on Tax Levies | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17) |
| Jan. 31, 2011 | NY | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Jan. 19, 2011 | NY | S 1892 | Limiting State Spending | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| Jan. 19, 2011 | NY | S 1919 | Amends Rules for Legislature | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| Jan. 19, 2011 | NY | S 1891 | New York Jobs Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9) |
| Jan. 11, 2011 | IL | SB 2505 | Amends Property Tax Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/02 | SB 1239 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| 4/28 | HB 2 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/25 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 4/14 | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/14 | HR 1473 | 2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19) |
| 4/12 | HB 2 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
| 4/12 | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10) |
| 4/11 | HB 439 | Authorizing New Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| 4/07 | SB 133 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| 4/05 | HB 2619 | Unemployment Security Special Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| 4/04 | S 1202 | Appropriations to Secretary of State | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 4/01 | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 4/01 | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 4/01 | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/30 | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| 3/27 | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
| 3/24 | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 3/17 | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13) |
| 3/16 | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| 3/16 | SB 1613 | Budget Proposal | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/10 | SCR 1019 | State Appropriations | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/09 | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1) |
| 3/09 | SB 158 | Collective Bargaining Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 3/09 | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| 3/09 | HR 1 | Continuing Appropriations | Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56) |
| 3/09 | S Amdt 149 | Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58) |
| 3/09 | SJR 18 | Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting an Income Tax | Amendment Adopted - Senate (28 - 5) |
| 3/03 | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 3/02 | HB 305 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 3/02 | H J Res 44 | Continuing Appropriations Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9) |
| 3/02 | S Amdt 115 | Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40) |
| 3/02 | SB 1231 | State Spending Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/01 | S Amdt 112 | Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt | Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 2/28 | SB 270 | Modifications to Sales and Use Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| 2/23 | SJR 1 | Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 2/22 | SB 275 | Reduction of Excise Tax on Electricity and Natural Gas | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 2/21 | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38) |
| 2/17 | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 2/17 | S2636 | Reduction of Toll Road Prices | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 2/16 | HB 2001 | Tax Reductions for Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 2/16 | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 2/15 | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 2/07 | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| 2/03 | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 9 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 28 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| 1/31 | S 2706 | Limitations on Tax Levies | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17) |
| 1/31 | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| 1/20 | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 1/19 | S 1892 | Limiting State Spending | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| 1/19 | S 1919 | Amends Rules for Legislature | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| 1/19 | S 1891 | New York Jobs Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9) |
| 1/11 | SB 2505 | Amends Property Tax Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29) |