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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 3, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 3, 2013 CA AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
July 3, 2013 OR HB 2639 Prohibits Discrimination in Selling, Renting, or Leasing Property Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
July 1, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
July 1, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
June 28, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots by Agreement Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
June 27, 2013 CA AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 27, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
June 27, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 24, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
June 23, 2013 TX SB 3 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 3 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 2 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 30)
June 20, 2013 National H Amdt 231 Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198)
June 20, 2013 National HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
June 19, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
June 19, 2013 National H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
June 18, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
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 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
June 14, 2013 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
June 13, 2013 AZ HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
June 13, 2013 AZ HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
June 13, 2013 AZ HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
June 13, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (76 - 31)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 11, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
June 10, 2013 National S 954 Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27)
June 6, 2013 National H Amdt 136 Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 201)
June 6, 2013 National H Amdt 136 Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 201)
June 5, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
June 4, 2013 LA SB 188 Increases Judicial Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 3, 2013 LA SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
June 3, 2013 LA SB 188 Increases Judicial Pay Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
June 3, 2013 LA SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
June 3, 2013 LA SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
June 2, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
June 2, 2013 NV SJR 8 Establishes Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
May 30, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
May 30, 2013 WA HB 2064 Amends Estate Tax Laws Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
May 29, 2013 CT HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
May 27, 2013 NV SB 303 Authorizes Driver Authorization Cards for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
May 24, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61)
May 23, 2013 NV SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14)
May 23, 2013 CA AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2013 TX SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
May 22, 2013 National H Amdt 67 Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269)
May 22, 2013 CT HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (74 - 55)
May 22, 2013 LA SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 20, 2013 MN SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (68 - 66)
May 19, 2013 MN HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - Senate (43 - 23)
May 19, 2013 MN HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - Senate (43 - 23)
May 17, 2013 MN HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)
May 17, 2013 MN HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)
May 16, 2013 AZ SB 1492 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 16, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
May 16, 2013 NC HB 730 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 39)
May 15, 2013 TX SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80)
May 15, 2013 TX SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80)
May 15, 2013 MN SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
May 14, 2013 NV SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 13, 2013 MO SB 29 Prohibits the Automatic Withdrawal of Union Fees for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
May 13, 2013 MN HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
May 13, 2013 NY A 1792 Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers Bill Passed - House (83 - 53)
May 9, 2013 CA AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
May 9, 2013 MN HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 59)
May 8, 2013 CO HB 1317 Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
May 8, 2013 AZ HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 8, 2013 CO HB 1317 Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/03 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/03 AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
7/03 HB 2639 Prohibits Discrimination in Selling, Renting, or Leasing Property Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
7/01 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
7/01 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
6/28 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots by Agreement Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
6/27 AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/27 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
6/27 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/24 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
6/23 SB 3 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
6/21 SB 3 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
6/21 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/21 SB 2 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 30)
6/20 H Amdt 231 Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198)
6/20 HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
6/19 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
6/19 H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
6/18 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
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)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
6/14 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
6/13 HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
6/13 HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
6/13 HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
6/13 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (76 - 31)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/11 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
6/10 S 954 Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27)
6/06 H Amdt 136 Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 201)
6/06 H Amdt 136 Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 201)
6/05 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
6/04 SB 188 Increases Judicial Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/03 SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
6/03 SB 188 Increases Judicial Pay Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
6/03 SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
6/03 SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
6/02 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
6/02 SJR 8 Establishes Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
5/30 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
5/30 HB 2064 Amends Estate Tax Laws Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
5/29 HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/29 SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/29 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
5/27 SB 303 Authorizes Driver Authorization Cards for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
5/24 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61)
5/23 SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14)
5/23 AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
5/22 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
5/22 H Amdt 67 Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269)
5/22 HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (74 - 55)
5/22 SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/20 SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (68 - 66)
5/19 HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - Senate (43 - 23)
5/19 HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - Senate (43 - 23)
5/17 HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)
5/17 HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)
5/16 SB 1492 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/16 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
5/16 HB 730 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 39)
5/15 SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80)
5/15 SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80)
5/15 SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
5/14 SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/13 SB 29 Prohibits the Automatic Withdrawal of Union Fees for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
5/13 HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
5/13 A 1792 Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers Bill Passed - House (83 - 53)
5/09 AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
5/09 HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 59)
5/08 HB 1317 Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
5/08 HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/08 HB 1317 Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)

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