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
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2012 IA SF 2275 Authorizes Internet Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 5, 2012 IA SF 2304 Requires DNA Samples from all Individuals Convicted of Certain Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 IA HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 29, 2012 IA HF 2215 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2012 IA HF 589 Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2012 IA HF 589 Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2012 IA HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
Sept. 7, 2011 IA H 111 TEST
June 30, 2011 IA HF 649 Appropriations for Health and Human Services Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
June 30, 2011 IA HF 649 Appropriations for Health and Human Services Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 33)
June 8, 2011 IA SF 534 Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
June 8, 2011 IA HF 697 State Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (54 - 38)
May 16, 2011 IA SF 534 Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
May 10, 2011 IA SF 522 Establishing a Property Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 526 Requires a Study to Weigh Outcomes of Authorizing Online Poker in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 14, 2011 IA HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 28, 2011 IA HF 590 Establishes Economic Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
March 23, 2011 IA HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 23, 2011 IA SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 22, 2011 IA HF 534 School Instructional Hours and Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
March 22, 2011 IA SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 15, 2011 IA SF 301 Low Interest Loans for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 15, 2011 IA SF 328 Funding for Education and Employment Training Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 8, 2011 IA HF 535 Repeals Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
Feb. 17, 2011 IA HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 2, 2011 IA HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
March 30, 2010 IA HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 30, 2010 IA HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 27, 2010 IA Amdt 5371 Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
March 26, 2010 IA S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 22, 2010 IA Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
March 19, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
March 18, 2010 IA HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
March 17, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 17, 2010 IA HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 11, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
March 10, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 10, 2010 IA Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
March 8, 2010 IA HF 788 Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
Feb. 12, 2010 IA Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
Feb. 9, 2010 IA HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
Feb. 4, 2010 IA SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 1, 2010 IA SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 13, 2010 IA SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 24, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
March 17, 2009 IA HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2009 IA HF 333 Wage Standards for Public Project Workers Bill Failed - House (49 - 49)
Feb. 18, 2009 IA HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Jan. 27, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 24, 2008 IA SF 2432 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 17, 2008 IA S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
April 17, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 16, 2008 IA HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
April 16, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
April 15, 2008 IA S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
April 15, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 10, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 SF 2275 Authorizes Internet Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/05 SF 2304 Requires DNA Samples from all Individuals Convicted of Certain Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/29 HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
2/29 HF 2215 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
2/28 HF 589 Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
2/28 HF 589 Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
2/14 HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
9/07 H 111 TEST
6/30 HF 649 Appropriations for Health and Human Services Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
6/30 HF 649 Appropriations for Health and Human Services Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 33)
6/08 SF 534 Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
6/08 HF 697 State Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (54 - 38)
5/16 SF 534 Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
5/10 SF 522 Establishing a Property Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
4/20 SF 526 Requires a Study to Weigh Outcomes of Authorizing Online Poker in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/20 SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/14 HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/28 HF 590 Establishes Economic Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
3/23 HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/23 SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/22 HF 534 School Instructional Hours and Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
3/22 SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/15 SF 301 Low Interest Loans for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/15 SF 328 Funding for Education and Employment Training Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/08 HF 535 Repeals Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
2/17 HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
2/16 HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/16 SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/02 HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
3/30 HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/30 HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/29 SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/29 SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/27 Amdt 5371 Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
3/26 S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
3/22 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/22 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/22 Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
3/19 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
3/18 HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
3/17 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/17 HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/16 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/16 SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/11 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
3/10 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/10 Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
3/08 HF 788 Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
2/12 Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
2/09 HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
2/04 SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/01 SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/13 SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/25 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/24 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
3/17 HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
2/26 HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/26 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/24 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/19 HF 333 Wage Standards for Public Project Workers Bill Failed - House (49 - 49)
2/18 HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
1/29 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
1/27 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/25 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/24 SF 2432 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/17 S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
4/17 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/16 HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
4/16 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
4/15 S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
4/15 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/10 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)

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