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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 29, 2013 National S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 29, 2013 National S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 12, 2013 National S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Oct. 12, 2013 National S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 27, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
Sept. 27, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
July 23, 2013 NC HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
July 8, 2013 OR HB 2639 Prohibits Discrimination in Selling, Renting, or Leasing Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
July 8, 2013 CA AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
July 7, 2013 OR SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
July 3, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 2, 2013 NC SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
July 1, 2013 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
July 1, 2013 OR SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 27, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
June 27, 2013 DE HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)
June 20, 2013 NJ S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 19, 2013 ME LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 19, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
June 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
June 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
June 13, 2013 WA HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/11 HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
11/19 S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/13 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/29 S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/29 S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/12 S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
10/12 S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/27 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
9/27 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
9/12 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/12 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
9/11 SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
9/11 HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
9/10 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/10 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
9/09 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
9/09 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/27 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
8/26 AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
7/23 HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
7/08 HB 2639 Prohibits Discrimination in Selling, Renting, or Leasing Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
7/08 AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
7/07 SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
7/03 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/02 SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
7/01 HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
7/01 SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/27 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
6/27 HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)
6/20 S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/19 LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/19 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
6/18 S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
6/18 S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
6/13 HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)

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