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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| April 1, 2011 | TX | H Amdt 6 | Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61) |
| 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 31, 2011 | ID | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (38 - 30) |
| March 31, 2011 | NH | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (243 - 124) |
| March 30, 2011 | NY | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| March 30, 2011 | NH | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117) |
| March 30, 2011 | NH | HB 580 | Public Employee Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (228 - 139) |
| March 30, 2011 | IN | HB 1001 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| March 29, 2011 | National | HR 839 | Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program | Bill Passed - House (252 - 170) |
| March 28, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 27, 2011 | MS | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 27, 2011 | MS | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27) |
| March 24, 2011 | MD | HB 70 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (97 - 42) |
| March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 23, 2011 | MI | HB 4408 | Employment Compensation Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44) |
| March 23, 2011 | MI | HB 4408 | Employment Compensation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33) |
| March 17, 2011 | National | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13) |
| March 17, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| March 17, 2011 | National | HR 1076 | Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| March 16, 2011 | NM | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| March 16, 2011 | National | HR 861 | Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program | Bill Passed - House (242 - 182) |
| March 16, 2011 | AZ | SB 1613 | Budget Proposal | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 15, 2011 | SC | Amdt 71 | Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary | Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69) |
| March 15, 2011 | SC | H 3700 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (77 - 42) |
| March 15, 2011 | National | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158) |
| March 11, 2011 | National | HR 836 | Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program | Bill Passed - House (242 - 177) |
| March 10, 2011 | AZ | SCR 1019 | State Appropriations | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 10, 2011 | National | HR 830 | Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program | Bill Passed - House (256 - 171) |
| 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 3, 2011 | NJ | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 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 | NM | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - House (35 - 34) |
| March 2, 2011 | ID | H 109 | Extends Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| 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) |
| March 1, 2011 | National | H J Res 44 | Continuing Appropriations Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91) |
| March 1, 2011 | SC | S 434 | Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| Feb. 24, 2011 | ID | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | TX | SJR 1 | Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38) |
| Feb. 19, 2011 | National | HR 1 | Continuing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (235 - 189) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | KS | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | NH | HB 113 | Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television | Bill Passed - House (263 - 102) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | NC | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 51) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | KS | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (81 - 40) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | SD | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | WY | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| Feb. 3, 2011 | MN | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | UT | HB 211 | Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| Jan. 31, 2011 | IN | HB 1450 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| Jan. 31, 2011 | NY | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| Jan. 28, 2011 | WY | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | MN | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (68 - 63) |
| Jan. 25, 2011 | National | H Res 38 | Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | WA | HB 1086 | 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | WA | HB 1086 | 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Jan. 19, 2011 | NY | S 1892 | Limiting State Spending | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| Jan. 13, 2011 | MT | HB 1 | Funding for Legislative Session | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/01 | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
| 4/01 | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| 4/01 | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| 4/01 | H Amdt 6 | Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61) |
| 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) |
| 3/31 | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (38 - 30) |
| 3/31 | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (243 - 124) |
| 3/30 | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| 3/30 | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117) |
| 3/30 | HB 580 | Public Employee Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (228 - 139) |
| 3/30 | HB 1001 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| 3/29 | HR 839 | Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program | Bill Passed - House (252 - 170) |
| 3/28 | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 3/27 | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
| 3/27 | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27) |
| 3/24 | HB 70 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (97 - 42) |
| 3/24 | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 3/23 | HB 4408 | Employment Compensation Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44) |
| 3/23 | HB 4408 | Employment Compensation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 3/22 | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/22 | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33) |
| 3/17 | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13) |
| 3/17 | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| 3/17 | HR 1076 | Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| 3/16 | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| 3/16 | HR 861 | Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program | Bill Passed - House (242 - 182) |
| 3/16 | SB 1613 | Budget Proposal | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/15 | Amdt 71 | Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary | Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69) |
| 3/15 | H 3700 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (77 - 42) |
| 3/15 | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158) |
| 3/11 | HR 836 | Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program | Bill Passed - House (242 - 177) |
| 3/10 | SCR 1019 | State Appropriations | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/10 | HR 830 | Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program | Bill Passed - House (256 - 171) |
| 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) |
| 3/03 | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 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 | HB 2 | General Appropriation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - House (35 - 34) |
| 3/02 | H 109 | Extends Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| 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) |
| 3/01 | H J Res 44 | Continuing Appropriations Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91) |
| 3/01 | S 434 | Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 2/24 | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 2/23 | SJR 1 | Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 2/21 | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68) |
| 2/21 | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38) |
| 2/19 | HR 1 | Continuing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (235 - 189) |
| 2/17 | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 2/17 | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| 2/15 | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 2/15 | HB 113 | Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television | Bill Passed - House (263 - 102) |
| 2/10 | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 51) |
| 2/08 | HB 2014 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (81 - 40) |
| 2/07 | SB 13 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| 2/07 | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
| 2/07 | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| 2/03 | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27) |
| 2/02 | HB 211 | Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| 1/31 | HB 1450 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| 1/31 | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| 1/28 | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | |
| 1/27 | HF 130 | 2010-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (68 - 63) |
| 1/25 | H Res 38 | Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165) |
| 1/24 | HB 1086 | 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| 1/24 | HB 1086 | 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| 1/19 | S 1892 | Limiting State Spending | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19) |
| 1/13 | HB 1 | Funding for Legislative Session | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |