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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2011 | CT | SB 1014 | Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (90 - 57) |
| June 7, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (48 - 12) |
| June 7, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (48 - 12) |
| June 6, 2011 | NV | AB 571 | Amending Smoking Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| June 6, 2011 | CT | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| June 5, 2011 | NV | AB 571 | Amending Smoking Regulations | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
| June 4, 2011 | CT | SB 1014 | Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18) |
| June 2, 2011 | LA | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| June 2, 2011 | CA | AB 52 | Regulating Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
| June 2, 2011 | CA | SB 568 | Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 1, 2011 | LA | SB 133 | Amends the Smoke-free Air Act | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22) |
| May 31, 2011 | IL | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24) |
| May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| May 27, 2011 | CT | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| May 26, 2011 | IL | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40) |
| May 25, 2011 | WA | SB 5942 | State Liquor Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| May 25, 2011 | TX | H Amdt 1 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Amendment Adopted - House (99 - 43) |
| May 24, 2011 | WA | SB 5942 | State Liquor Sales | Bill Passed - House (52 - 42) |
| May 24, 2011 | LA | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| May 23, 2011 | NJ | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 23, 2011 | NJ | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 20, 2011 | TX | H Amdt 53 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 66) |
| May 19, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 63) |
| May 19, 2011 | NC | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24) |
| May 18, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28) |
| May 18, 2011 | NC | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| May 18, 2011 | MI | SB 7 | Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| May 17, 2011 | LA | HB 7 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| May 16, 2011 | ME | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| May 13, 2011 | KS | HB 2075 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 30) |
| May 12, 2011 | KS | HB 2075 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| May 12, 2011 | ME | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 68) |
| May 12, 2011 | NE | LB 22 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| May 12, 2011 | CA | AB 499 | Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs | Bill Passed - House (50 - 25) |
| May 11, 2011 | MN | SF 86 | Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (76 - 54) |
| May 11, 2011 | PA | HB 574 | Amending the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 | Bill Passed - House (148 - 43) |
| May 10, 2011 | MO | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 34) |
| May 6, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
| May 5, 2011 | VT | H 202 | Single-Payer and Unified Health System | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49) |
| May 5, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| May 5, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| May 5, 2011 | FL | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| May 4, 2011 | National | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| May 3, 2011 | VT | H 202 | Single-Payer and Unified Health System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9) |
| May 3, 2011 | National | HR 1213 | Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (238 - 183) |
| April 28, 2011 | OR | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 28, 2011 | MO | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | HB 97 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| April 27, 2011 | FL | HB 97 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| April 26, 2011 | MA | Amdt 749.1 | Collective Bargaining Restrictions | Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42) |
| April 26, 2011 | FL | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
| April 25, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 25, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 20, 2011 | NC | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 47 | Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 58) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 13, 2011 | AZ | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| April 13, 2011 | IL | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| April 13, 2011 | National | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| April 12, 2011 | GA | HB 47 | Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/07 | SB 1014 | Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (90 - 57) |
| 6/07 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (48 - 12) |
| 6/07 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (48 - 12) |
| 6/06 | AB 571 | Amending Smoking Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| 6/06 | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| 6/05 | AB 571 | Amending Smoking Regulations | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
| 6/04 | SB 1014 | Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18) |
| 6/02 | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| 6/02 | AB 52 | Regulating Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
| 6/02 | SB 568 | Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 6/01 | SB 133 | Amends the Smoke-free Air Act | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22) |
| 5/31 | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24) |
| 5/30 | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| 5/27 | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| 5/26 | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40) |
| 5/25 | SB 5942 | State Liquor Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| 5/25 | H Amdt 1 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Amendment Adopted - House (99 - 43) |
| 5/24 | SB 5942 | State Liquor Sales | Bill Passed - House (52 - 42) |
| 5/24 | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| 5/23 | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 5/23 | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 5/20 | H Amdt 53 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 66) |
| 5/19 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 63) |
| 5/19 | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24) |
| 5/18 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28) |
| 5/18 | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| 5/18 | SB 7 | Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 5/17 | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| 5/17 | HB 7 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| 5/16 | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 5/13 | HB 2075 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 30) |
| 5/12 | HB 2075 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 5/12 | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 68) |
| 5/12 | LB 22 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| 5/12 | AB 499 | Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs | Bill Passed - House (50 - 25) |
| 5/11 | SF 86 | Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (76 - 54) |
| 5/11 | HB 574 | Amending the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 | Bill Passed - House (148 - 43) |
| 5/10 | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 34) |
| 5/06 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 5/05 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
| 5/05 | H 202 | Single-Payer and Unified Health System | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49) |
| 5/05 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 5/05 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 5/05 | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 5/04 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| 5/04 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| 5/04 | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| 5/04 | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 5/04 | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| 5/04 | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 5/03 | H 202 | Single-Payer and Unified Health System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 5/03 | HR 1213 | Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (238 - 183) |
| 4/28 | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| 4/28 | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| 4/28 | HB 97 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 4/27 | HB 97 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| 4/26 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| 4/26 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| 4/26 | Amdt 749.1 | Collective Bargaining Restrictions | Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42) |
| 4/26 | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
| 4/25 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 4/25 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 4/20 | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 4/20 | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/14 | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/14 | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| 4/14 | HB 47 | Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 58) |
| 4/14 | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/14 | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/13 | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| 4/13 | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| 4/13 | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| 4/12 | HB 47 | Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |