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
May 26, 2011 NE LB 704 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
May 26, 2011 NE LB 703 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
May 25, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 21, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 18, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 17, 2011 MN HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
May 16, 2011 OK HB 2145 State House Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4)
May 13, 2011 MN HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 10, 2011 CO HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 4, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 4, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
May 3, 2011 OK HB 1527 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
April 28, 2011 IN HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
April 28, 2011 VA HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
April 28, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
April 27, 2011 IN HB 1601 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 15, 2011 IN SB 473 Toll Way Projects Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
April 14, 2011 IA HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
April 13, 2011 LA HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35)
April 13, 2011 LA HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
April 13, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 12, 2011 OK S Amdt 1 Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
April 12, 2011 AR SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 12, 2011 AR SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
April 11, 2011 VA HB 5001 Legislative Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
April 11, 2011 LA HB 1 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
April 11, 2011 LA SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
April 8, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 18)
April 7, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 7, 2011 NC HB 61 Term Limits for Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Amendment Adopted - House (72 - 46)
April 6, 2011 MS SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
April 6, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (106 - 53)
April 6, 2011 AR SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
April 1, 2011 National HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
March 30, 2011 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117)
March 14, 2011 NY S 3331 Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
March 4, 2011 MS JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 10, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Jan. 13, 2011 MT HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Dec. 2, 2010 National H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
May 27, 2010 OH HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
May 24, 2010 LA HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 27, 2010 National HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
April 18, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 17, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
April 14, 2010 LA HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
March 31, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
March 16, 2010 CO SB 87 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2010 GA SR 1120 Temporary Legislative Adjournment Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2010 NY R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Jan. 26, 2010 National S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
Jan. 19, 2010 MO HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
Jan. 13, 2010 KY SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
Dec. 17, 2009 OH HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 42)
Dec. 17, 2009 OH HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Oct. 21, 2009 OH HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
Oct. 7, 2009 National H Res 805 Removing Rep. Charles Rangel as Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Motion Agreed - House (246 - 153)
Sept. 30, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
Sept. 25, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
Sept. 23, 2009 OH SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 16, 2009 MO HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
Sept. 15, 2009 National H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/26 LB 704 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
5/26 LB 703 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
5/25 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/21 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/18 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/17 HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
5/16 HB 2145 State House Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4)
5/13 HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/10 HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/04 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/04 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
5/03 HB 1527 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
4/28 HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
4/28 HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
4/28 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
4/27 HB 1601 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/15 SB 473 Toll Way Projects Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
4/14 HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
4/13 HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35)
4/13 HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
4/13 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/12 S Amdt 1 Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
4/12 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/12 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
4/11 HB 5001 Legislative Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
4/11 HB 1 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
4/11 SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/08 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 18)
4/07 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/07 HB 61 Term Limits for Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Amendment Adopted - House (72 - 46)
4/06 SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
4/06 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (106 - 53)
4/06 SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
4/01 HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
3/30 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117)
3/14 S 3331 Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
3/04 JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
2/17 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/10 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
1/13 HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
12/02 H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
11/30 S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
5/27 HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
5/24 HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/27 HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
4/20 Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
4/20 Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
4/18 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/17 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
4/14 HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
3/31 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
3/16 SB 87 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/03 HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
3/01 SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/18 SR 1120 Temporary Legislative Adjournment Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
2/15 SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/09 R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
1/26 S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
1/19 HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
1/13 SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
12/17 HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 42)
12/17 HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
10/21 HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
10/07 H Res 805 Removing Rep. Charles Rangel as Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Motion Agreed - House (246 - 153)
9/30 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
9/25 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
9/23 SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/16 HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
9/15 H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
3/19 HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/11 HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)

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