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
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
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. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 30, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 18, 2013 MI SB 276 Requires Community Service for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
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 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
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 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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. 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 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
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 9, 2013 IL HB 183 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 17)
July 7, 2013 OR SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
July 3, 2013 NC HB 695 Amends Abortion Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
July 1, 2013 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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 NJ S 2723 Amends Firearms Identification Card Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 27, 2013 DE HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)
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 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 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 30, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
May 30, 2013 NJ A 3659 Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 28, 2013 OR SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 23, 2013 IL HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
May 22, 2013 AZ SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 22, 2013 NV SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 20, 2013 CA SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/19 S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/30 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/18 SB 276 Requires Community Service for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/12 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
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 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
9/11 SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
9/10 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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)
9/10 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 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/26 AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
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)
7/09 HB 183 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 17)
7/07 SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
7/03 HB 695 Amends Abortion Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
7/01 HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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 2723 Amends Firearms Identification Card Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/27 HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)
6/19 LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
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 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/30 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
5/30 A 3659 Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
5/29 SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/28 SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/23 HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
5/22 SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/22 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/22 SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/20 SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)

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