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
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
April 3, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
April 2, 2013 MD SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
April 1, 2013 AR SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (52 - 45)
March 28, 2013 MT HB 217 Exempts Religious Organizations from Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 28, 2013 DE HB 35 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
March 27, 2013 AR SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 27, 2013 NH HB 451 Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (226 - 144)
March 27, 2013 NH HB 135 Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law Bill Passed - House (189 - 184)
March 26, 2013 KY HB 279 Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 26, 2013 KY HB 279 Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 15)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
March 26, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 26, 2013 NC HB 17 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Bill Passed - House (97 - 20)
March 25, 2013 MD SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 25, 2013 MD SB 339 Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 25, 2013 IA HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
March 25, 2013 IA HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
March 23, 2013 MT HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 23, 2013 MT HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 23, 2013 National S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
March 22, 2013 AK HB 24 Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (29 - 4)
March 21, 2013 MT HB 247 Authorizes Salvage of Game Killed By Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
March 21, 2013 OR HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 21, 2013 NH HB 443 Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody Bill Passed - House (197 - 136)
March 21, 2013 MD HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
March 20, 2013 OH SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 20, 2013 OH SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
March 20, 2013 MD SB 30 Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 19, 2013 AR SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 19, 2013 AR SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
March 19, 2013 AR SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
March 19, 2013 AR HB 1819 Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency Bill Passed - House (78 - 9)
March 19, 2013 PA SB 644 Amends the Definition of "Wild Animal" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 18, 2013 NJ A 3614 Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
March 18, 2013 TN HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
4/03 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/02 HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
4/02 SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
4/01 SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (52 - 45)
3/28 HB 217 Exempts Religious Organizations from Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/28 HB 35 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
3/27 SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/27 HB 451 Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (226 - 144)
3/27 HB 135 Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law Bill Passed - House (189 - 184)
3/26 HB 279 Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/26 HB 279 Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 15)
3/26 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
3/26 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/26 HB 17 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Bill Passed - House (97 - 20)
3/25 SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/25 SB 339 Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/25 HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
3/25 HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
3/23 HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/23 HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/23 S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
3/22 HB 24 Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (29 - 4)
3/21 HB 247 Authorizes Salvage of Game Killed By Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
3/21 HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/21 HB 443 Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody Bill Passed - House (197 - 136)
3/21 HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
3/20 SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/20 SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
3/20 SB 30 Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/19 SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/19 SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
3/19 SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
3/19 HB 1819 Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency Bill Passed - House (78 - 9)
3/19 SB 644 Amends the Definition of "Wild Animal" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/18 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/18 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/18 A 3614 Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/18 HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
3/18 HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
3/18 HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)

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