Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 8, 2014 National HR 1871 Baseline Reform Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (230 - 185)
April 7, 2014 OK SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
April 7, 2014 IL HR 895 Encourages Investigative Hearings about the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Resolution Passed - House (55 - 51)
April 7, 2014 IA HF 2462 Prohibits Confidentiality Agreements in State Employee Settlements Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
April 5, 2014 KS HB 2578 Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19)
April 5, 2014 KS SB 423 Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
April 4, 2014 KS HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks (55 - 67)
April 4, 2014 ME LD 1838 Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (89 - 53)
April 4, 2014 National HR 1874 Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (224 - 182)
April 3, 2014 MO HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 41)
March 27, 2014 NJ S 1869 Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
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 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 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 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 17, 2014 MD HB 727 Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Certain School Projects Bill Passed - House (90 - 46)
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 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 National HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
March 13, 2014 MO HB 1902 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
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 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 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 UT HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
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 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 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)
Feb. 24, 2014 TN HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
Feb. 24, 2014 WV HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 21, 2014 ID HB 470 Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2014 AL HB 45 Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2014 AL HB 45 Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
Feb. 19, 2014 OH SB 238 Reduces Number of Absentee Voting Days Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 19, 2014 OH SB 205 Amends Absentee Ballot Voting Laws Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Feb. 19, 2014 NM SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Failed - House (33 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 13, 2014 AZ HB 2196 Repeals Certain Elections Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 82 Prohibits a State Official from Working as a Lobbyist for 2 Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
Feb. 12, 2014 KS HB 2453 Authorizes an Individual to Refuse Services Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (72 - 49)
Feb. 11, 2014 NY A 689A Authorizes Early Voting Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
Feb. 6, 2014 SD HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2014 VA HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
Feb. 6, 2014 VA HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
Feb. 5, 2014 SD HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2014 SD HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 HR 1871 Baseline Reform Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (230 - 185)
4/07 SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
4/07 HR 895 Encourages Investigative Hearings about the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Resolution Passed - House (55 - 51)
4/07 HF 2462 Prohibits Confidentiality Agreements in State Employee Settlements Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
4/05 HB 2578 Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19)
4/05 SB 423 Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
4/04 HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks (55 - 67)
4/04 LD 1838 Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (89 - 53)
4/04 HR 1874 Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (224 - 182)
4/03 HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 41)
3/27 S 1869 Extends Salary Limits for Public Safety Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
3/26 HB 1508 Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Educational Standards "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 138)
3/26 HR 1459 Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
3/25 S 3149 Requires the President to be Elected by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (102 - 33)
3/25 HR 2824 Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Bill Passed - House (229 - 192)
3/24 HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
3/24 HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
3/20 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58)
3/20 S 1395 Increases Salaries of Certain State Officials Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/20 SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
3/18 LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
3/18 SR 415 Prohibits Increase in State Income Tax Resolution Passed - House (119 - 54)
3/17 HB 727 Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Certain School Projects Bill Passed - House (90 - 46)
3/13 SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24)
3/13 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34)
3/13 HJR 1092 Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety Amendment Adopted - House (65 - 28)
3/13 HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 31)
3/13 HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
3/13 HB 1902 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
3/12 HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
3/12 HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
3/12 HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
3/12 HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
3/11 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54)
3/10 AB 800 Authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to Conduct Audits and Investigations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 19)
3/10 HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
3/10 HB 410 Authorizes Early Online Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - House (58 - 14)
3/10 HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
3/06 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
3/06 HR 3826 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 183)
3/03 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/03 SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
3/03 HB 707 Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion Bill Passed - House (115 - 59)
3/03 HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
2/27 H Amdt 561 Requires Agency Heads to File Negative-Impact Reports Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 162)
2/27 HJR 47 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 50)
2/27 HJR 47 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 50)
2/27 HR 2804 Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Requiring Transparency Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (236 - 179)
2/27 HR 3193 Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 182)
2/26 HR 3865 Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (243 - 176)
2/24 HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
2/24 HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/21 HB 470 Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
2/20 HB 45 Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19)
2/20 HB 45 Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19)
2/20 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
2/20 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
2/20 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
2/19 SB 238 Reduces Number of Absentee Voting Days Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/19 SB 205 Amends Absentee Ballot Voting Laws Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
2/19 SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Failed - House (33 - 29)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/13 HB 2196 Repeals Certain Elections Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/13 HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
2/13 HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
2/13 HB 82 Prohibits a State Official from Working as a Lobbyist for 2 Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
2/12 HB 2453 Authorizes an Individual to Refuse Services Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (72 - 49)
2/11 A 689A Authorizes Early Voting Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
2/06 HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/06 HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
2/06 HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
2/05 HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/05 HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/04 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)

arrow_upward