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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | KS | Knox Amdt | Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | SJR 1188 | Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | SJR 1188 | Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | SJR 1188 | Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | NE | LR 41CA | Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races | Resolution Failed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| April 3, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 41) |
| April 2, 2014 | MD | HB 727 | Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Certain School Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | KY | HB 407 | Authorizes Framework for Public-Private Partnerships | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 1869 | Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 1869 | Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| March 26, 2014 | NH | HB 1508 | Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Educational Standards | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 138) |
| March 26, 2014 | National | HR 1459 | Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 201) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2125 | Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 25, 2014 | NY | S 3149 | Requires the President to be Elected by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (102 - 33) |
| March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| March 24, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| March 24, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| March 20, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58) |
| March 20, 2014 | GA | SR 415 | Prohibits Increase in State Income Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 13) |
| March 20, 2014 | ID | S 1395 | Increases Salaries of Certain State Officials | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | SB 324 | Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
| March 19, 2014 | SC | H 3101 | Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33) |
| March 19, 2014 | SC | H 3101 | Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33) |
| March 18, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18) |
| March 18, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
| March 18, 2014 | GA | SR 415 | Prohibits Increase in State Income Tax | Resolution Passed - House (119 - 54) |
| March 18, 2014 | KY | SB 205 | Authorizes a Candidate to Appear on a Ballot Twice | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| March 17, 2014 | NY | A 2597A | Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29) |
| March 17, 2014 | MD | HB 727 | Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Certain School Projects | Bill Passed - House (90 - 46) |
| March 17, 2014 | KY | SB 221 | Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 13, 2014 | NY | S 2031A | Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3973 | Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (244 - 171) |
| March 13, 2014 | OK | HJR 1092 | Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety | Amendment Adopted - House (65 - 28) |
| March 13, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 31) |
| March 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1902 | Amends Presidential Primary Dates | Bill Passed - House (97 - 48) |
| March 12, 2014 | SD | SB 98 | Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax | Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 19) |
| March 12, 2014 | KS | HB 2210 | Amends the Date by Which a Voter May Change Party Affiliation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 12, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 12, 2014 | KS | SB 362 | Requires Registration for Health Insurance Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 12, 2014 | National | HR 4138 | Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 181) |
| March 12, 2014 | National | HR 4138 | Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 181) |
| March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 12, 2014 | National | HR 4138 | Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 181) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | SB 324 | Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| March 11, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54) |
| March 10, 2014 | CA | AB 800 | Authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to Conduct Audits and Investigations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | HJR 8 | Requests a National Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | HB 410 | Authorizes Early Online Presidential Primaries | Bill Passed - House (58 - 14) |
| March 10, 2014 | OK | SB 1023 | Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | HJR 8 | Requests a National Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41) |
| March 6, 2014 | KS | HB 2338 | Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 6, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 3826 | Electricity Security and Affordability Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 183) |
| 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 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1002 | Increases Legislative Term Limit Length | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| March 4, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| March 3, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| March 3, 2014 | SD | SB 98 | Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax | Bill Passed - House (39 - 31) |
| March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 707 | Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion | Bill Passed - House (115 - 59) |
| March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 990 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval | Bill Passed - House (118 - 57) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | National | H Amdt 561 | Requires Agency Heads to File Negative-Impact Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 162) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | AZ | SB 1344 | Amends Responsibilities of Clean Elections Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | MO | HJR 47 | Amends Election Laws | Bill Passed - House (103 - 50) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | MO | HJR 47 | Amends Election Laws | Bill Passed - House (103 - 50) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | National | HR 2804 | Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Requiring Transparency Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (236 - 179) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | National | HR 3193 | Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (232 - 182) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | National | HR 3865 | Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (243 - 176) |