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 19, 2014 NY S 6617B Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects Bill Passed - House (119 - 16)
June 19, 2014 NY S 6617B Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects Bill Passed - House (119 - 16)
June 19, 2014 National H Amdt 935 Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123)
June 19, 2014 National H Amdt 917 Prohibits United States from Providing Weapons in Syria Amendment Rejected - House (167 - 244)
June 19, 2014 NY A 9583A Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (91 - 37)
June 18, 2014 MA H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
June 16, 2014 NJ SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - House (47 - 30)
June 12, 2014 NJ SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 10, 2014 National H Amdt 823 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the California High-Speed Rail Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 186)
June 10, 2014 National H Amdt 813 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement a Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 207)
June 10, 2014 National H Amdt 815 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171)
June 10, 2014 National HR 4745 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 Bill Passed - House (229 - 192)
May 30, 2014 National H Amdt 763 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Require Journalists to Disclose Sources Amendment Adopted - House (225 - 183)
May 29, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 1000 Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 28, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 1010 Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 3836 Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
May 27, 2014 CA AB 1576 Amends the Health and Safety Provisions for Adult Films Bill Passed - House (48 - 13)
May 23, 2014 OK HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8)
May 23, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
May 23, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
May 22, 2014 OK HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 34)
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 22, 2014 National H Amdt 671 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192)
May 22, 2014 National H Amdt 679 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement the New START Treaty Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 191)
May 22, 2014 National HR 3361 USA FREEDOM Act Bill Passed - House (303 - 121)
May 21, 2014 LA HB 388 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Hospital Admitting Privileges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 5)
May 19, 2014 CA AB 2198 Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals Bill Passed - House (47 - 11)
May 15, 2014 IL HB 4075 Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 8)
May 14, 2014 LA HB 388 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Hospital Admitting Privileges Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
May 7, 2014 National H Res 574 Recommends that the House of Representatives Find Lois G. Lerner in Contempt of Congress Resolution Passed - House (231 - 187)
May 5, 2014 CA SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 2, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
May 1, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 1, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 1, 2014 RI H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
April 30, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
April 30, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
April 30, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
April 28, 2014 CT SB 36 Authorizes Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses to Independently Perform Medical Duties Bill Passed - House (110 - 35)
April 28, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - House (104 - 25)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Conference Report Adopted - House (28 - 10)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
April 25, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
April 25, 2014 CT HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
April 24, 2014 OK SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
April 24, 2014 OK SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
April 24, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
April 24, 2014 MO HB 2126 Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" Bill Passed - House (122 - 30)
April 23, 2014 AK HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Concurrence Vote Failed - House (20 - 18)
April 23, 2014 CO HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 23, 2014 FL HB 59 Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
April 22, 2014 LA SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 22, 2014 OK SB 2044 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Bill Failed - House (34 - 62)
April 21, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
April 21, 2014 LA SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 17, 2014 ME LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (94 - 51)
April 17, 2014 ME LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 16, 2014 AZ SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/19 S 6617B Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects Bill Passed - House (119 - 16)
6/19 S 6617B Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects Bill Passed - House (119 - 16)
6/19 H Amdt 935 Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123)
6/19 H Amdt 917 Prohibits United States from Providing Weapons in Syria Amendment Rejected - House (167 - 244)
6/19 A 9583A Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (91 - 37)
6/18 H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
6/16 SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - House (47 - 30)
6/12 SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/10 H Amdt 823 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the California High-Speed Rail Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 186)
6/10 H Amdt 813 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement a Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 207)
6/10 H Amdt 815 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171)
6/10 HR 4745 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 Bill Passed - House (229 - 192)
5/30 H Amdt 763 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Require Journalists to Disclose Sources Amendment Adopted - House (225 - 183)
5/29 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
5/29 SB 1000 Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/29 SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/28 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
5/28 SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/28 SB 1010 Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/28 SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/28 SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/27 HB 3836 Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
5/27 AB 1576 Amends the Health and Safety Provisions for Adult Films Bill Passed - House (48 - 13)
5/23 HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8)
5/23 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
5/23 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
5/22 HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 34)
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/22 H Amdt 671 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192)
5/22 H Amdt 679 Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement the New START Treaty Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 191)
5/22 HR 3361 USA FREEDOM Act Bill Passed - House (303 - 121)
5/21 HB 388 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Hospital Admitting Privileges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 5)
5/19 AB 2198 Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals Bill Passed - House (47 - 11)
5/15 HB 4075 Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 8)
5/14 HB 388 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Hospital Admitting Privileges Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
5/07 H Res 574 Recommends that the House of Representatives Find Lois G. Lerner in Contempt of Congress Resolution Passed - House (231 - 187)
5/05 SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/02 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
5/01 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/01 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/01 HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
5/01 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/01 H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
4/30 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
4/30 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
4/30 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
4/28 SB 36 Authorizes Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses to Independently Perform Medical Duties Bill Passed - House (110 - 35)
4/28 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - House (104 - 25)
4/25 HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Conference Report Adopted - House (28 - 10)
4/25 HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4)
4/25 HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
4/25 HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
4/25 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
4/25 HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
4/24 SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
4/24 SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
4/24 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
4/24 HB 2126 Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" Bill Passed - House (122 - 30)
4/23 HB 23 Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) Concurrence Vote Failed - House (20 - 18)
4/23 HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 HB 59 Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
4/22 SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/22 SB 2044 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Bill Failed - House (34 - 62)
4/21 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
4/21 SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21)
4/17 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
4/17 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/17 LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (94 - 51)
4/17 LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/16 SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/16 HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21)
4/16 HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21)
4/16 HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/16 HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)

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