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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2014 | National | HR 4302 | Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| March 31, 2014 | NE | LB 943 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 1038 | Requires Public Contractors to Report Certain Employment Information | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 1869 | Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| March 26, 2014 | CT | SB 32 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2552 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| March 24, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 19, 2014 | NE | LB 887 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 18, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18) |
| March 18, 2014 | IA | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| March 17, 2014 | NY | A 2597A | Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29) |
| March 17, 2014 | KY | SB 221 | Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1321 | Authorizes Certain School Corporations to Establish Innovation Network Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | NY | S 2031A | Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| March 13, 2014 | NH | SB 364 | Increase Retirement Benefits for Public Employees | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| March 13, 2014 | MO | SB 510 | Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| March 12, 2014 | UT | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| March 10, 2014 | OK | SB 1023 | Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 6, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 6, 2014 | KS | HB 2338 | Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| March 6, 2014 | NH | SB 413 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| March 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1002 | Increases Legislative Term Limit Length | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| March 4, 2014 | HI | SB 2609 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1) |
| March 4, 2014 | MD | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 4, 2014 | OK | SB 1651 | Appropriates Funds for the Native American Cultural Center | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | AK | HB 1 | Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | KY | SB 82 | Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | KY | SB 82 | Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | NM | SJR 13 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 17) |
| Feb. 12, 2014 | MI | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Feb. 12, 2014 | SD | SB 142 | Increases Salary for State Legislators | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | VA | SB 590 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | KY | SB 1 | Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | KY | SB 1 | Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | IL | SB 1227 | Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | TN | SJR 123 | Requires Election of Attorney General Position | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31 | HR 4302 | Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| 3/31 | LB 943 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 3/27 | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| 3/27 | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| 3/27 | S 1038 | Requires Public Contractors to Report Certain Employment Information | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 3/27 | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/27 | S 1869 | Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 3/26 | SB 32 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 3/25 | HB 2552 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 3/24 | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 3/19 | LB 887 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 3/18 | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18) |
| 3/18 | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| 3/17 | A 2597A | Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29) |
| 3/17 | SB 221 | Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| 3/13 | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
| 3/13 | HB 1321 | Authorizes Certain School Corporations to Establish Innovation Network Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 18) |
| 3/13 | S 2031A | Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| 3/13 | SB 364 | Increase Retirement Benefits for Public Employees | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| 3/13 | SB 510 | Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| 3/12 | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| 3/10 | SB 1023 | Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| 3/06 | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 3/06 | HB 2338 | Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/06 | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| 3/06 | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| 3/06 | SB 413 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| 3/05 | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 3/05 | HJR 1002 | Increases Legislative Term Limit Length | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| 3/04 | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 3/04 | SB 2609 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1) |
| 3/04 | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| 3/04 | SB 1651 | Appropriates Funds for the Native American Cultural Center | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 3/03 | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 2/28 | HB 1 | Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4) |
| 2/26 | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| 2/25 | SB 82 | Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/25 | SB 82 | Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/20 | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 2/17 | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 2/17 | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 2/14 | SJR 13 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 17) |
| 2/12 | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 2/12 | SB 142 | Increases Salary for State Legislators | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 2/11 | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| 2/11 | SB 590 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 2/06 | SB 1 | Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 2/06 | SB 1 | Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 2/05 | SB 1227 | Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| 2/05 | SJR 123 | Requires Election of Attorney General Position | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14) |