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
June 27, 2013 CA AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 27, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
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 27, 2013 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
June 27, 2013 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
June 24, 2013 NJ S 2723 Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 34)
June 24, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 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 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 - House (78 - 71)
June 19, 2013 ME LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - House (78 - 71)
June 19, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
June 19, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
June 18, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
June 18, 2013 DE SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
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 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
June 14, 2013 National H Amdt 168 Establishes Framework for the Closing of the Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by December 1, 2014 Amendment Rejected - House (174 - 249)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 11, 2013 ME LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
June 11, 2013 ME LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
June 11, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
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 5, 2013 CT HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 4, 2013 National H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)
June 3, 2013 NV SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
June 2, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
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 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 AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 28, 2013 IL HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48)
May 28, 2013 NV SB 165 Authorizes Film Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 28, 2013 OR SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 27, 2013 IL SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - House (67 - 49)
May 27, 2013 NV SB 303 Authorizes Driver Authorization Cards for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
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 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 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 SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
May 22, 2013 OH HB 7 Prohibits Internet Cafes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 22, 2013 IL HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
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 22, 2013 CT HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (74 - 55)
May 21, 2013 KS HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
May 20, 2013 NV SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
May 20, 2013 NV SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
May 17, 2013 MO HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27)
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 16, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
May 15, 2013 AZ SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
May 14, 2013 MO HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 14, 2013 NV SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 14, 2013 NV SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 13, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
May 13, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
May 13, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/27 AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/27 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
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)
6/27 HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
6/27 HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
6/24 S 2723 Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 34)
6/24 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
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 LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - House (78 - 71)
6/19 LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - House (78 - 71)
6/19 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
6/19 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
6/18 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
6/18 SB 97 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
6/18 S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
6/18 S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
6/14 H Amdt 168 Establishes Framework for the Closing of the Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by December 1, 2014 Amendment Rejected - House (174 - 249)
6/13 AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/13 AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/11 LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
6/11 LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
6/11 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
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)
6/05 HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/04 H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)
6/03 SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
6/02 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
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)
5/30 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 AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
5/29 AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
5/29 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
5/29 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
5/29 SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/29 SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/28 HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48)
5/28 SB 165 Authorizes Film Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/28 SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/27 SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - House (67 - 49)
5/27 SB 303 Authorizes Driver Authorization Cards for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
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)
5/23 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 SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/22 SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
5/22 HB 7 Prohibits Internet Cafes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/22 HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
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)
5/22 HB 6495 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (74 - 55)
5/21 HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
5/20 A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24)
5/20 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
5/20 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
5/20 SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
5/20 SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
5/17 HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27)
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)
5/16 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
5/15 SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
5/14 HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/14 SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/14 SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/13 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
5/13 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
5/13 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)

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