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. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
Nov. 8, 2013 HI SB 1 - HD 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (30 - 19)
Nov. 5, 2013 IL SB 10 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - House (114 - 45)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA SB 396 Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity Bill Failed - House (35 - 34)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
Sept. 4, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
Sept. 4, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
Aug. 8, 2013 CA AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
July 24, 2013 NC HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
July 24, 2013 NC HB 522 Prohibits the Application of Foreign Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 37)
July 23, 2013 NC HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41)
July 23, 2013 National H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
July 9, 2013 IL HB 183 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 31)
July 7, 2013 OR SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
July 6, 2013 OR SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
July 6, 2013 OR SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
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 - 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 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 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 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
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 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 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 National H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
11/08 SB 1 - HD 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (30 - 19)
11/05 SB 10 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
10/01 H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
9/12 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)
9/12 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
9/11 SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
9/11 SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
9/11 HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - House (114 - 45)
9/11 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
9/11 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
9/11 SB 396 Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity Bill Failed - House (35 - 34)
9/11 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
9/11 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
9/10 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25)
9/10 AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29)
9/10 AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29)
9/10 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25)
9/10 SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
9/04 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
9/04 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
8/08 AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
7/24 HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
7/24 HB 522 Prohibits the Application of Foreign Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 37)
7/23 HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41)
7/23 H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
7/09 HB 183 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 31)
7/07 SB 9 Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
7/06 SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
7/06 SB 6 Amends Animal Welfare Regulations Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
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 - House (78 - 71)
6/19 LD 1240 Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks Bill Passed - House (78 - 71)
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)
6/14 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)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
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)
6/11 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)
6/06 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 H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)

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