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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 8, 2013 | IL | SB 957 | Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
Nov. 30, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
Sept. 20, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (257 - 158) |
Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | AB 2189 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
Aug. 24, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26) |
May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37) |
April 19, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
April 16, 2012 | TN | SB 3345 | Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
March 15, 2012 | NH | HB 1405 | Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements | Bill Passed - House (190 - 109) |
March 14, 2012 | MS | HB 488 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (70 - 47) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
Feb. 8, 2012 | NM | HB 103 | Increasing Regulation of Driver's Licenses Issued to Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
Feb. 1, 2012 | NH | HB 1383 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents | Bill Passed - House (250 - 88) |
Nov. 29, 2011 | National | HR 3012 | Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations | Bill Passed - House (389 - 15) |
Nov. 15, 2011 | PA | HB 439 | Hiring Undocumented Workers | Bill Passed - House (122 - 74) |
June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29) |
June 1, 2011 | CA | AB 131 | In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
May 25, 2011 | SC | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (65 - 39) |
May 19, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
May 12, 2011 | CT | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
May 10, 2011 | TX | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
May 5, 2011 | CA | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
April 11, 2011 | MD | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65) |
April 11, 2011 | AZ | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17) |
April 5, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (73 - 28) |
March 22, 2011 | CO | HB 1140 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
March 10, 2011 | MO | HB 167 | Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only | Bill Passed - House (102 - 56) |
March 4, 2011 | UT | HB 497 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
March 4, 2011 | NM | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
March 3, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (113 - 56) |
Feb. 28, 2011 | UT | HB 191 | Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | UT | HB 165 | State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act | Bill Passed - House (57 - 14) |
Feb. 23, 2011 | UT | HB 116 | Guest Worker Program | Bill Passed - House (43 - 28) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | KS | HB 2006 | Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 50) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | UT | HB 253 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
Feb. 18, 2011 | UT | HB 70 | Identifying Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
Feb. 7, 2011 | AR | HB 1013 | Hiring of Unauthorized Workers | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
Jan. 27, 2011 | MS | SB 2179 | Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 40) |
Jan. 18, 2011 | MT | HB 71 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
Dec. 8, 2010 | National | HR 5281 | DREAM Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198) |
June 9, 2010 | TN | HB 670 | Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30) |
June 8, 2010 | PA | HB 1502 | Verification of Employee Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (188 - 6) |
May 24, 2010 | TN | HJR 1253 | Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy | Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27) |
April 28, 2010 | MA | Sánchez Amdt | Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study | Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75) |
April 13, 2010 | AZ | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (35 - 21) |
March 11, 2010 | UT | SB 251 | Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
Feb. 24, 2010 | UT | HB 227 | Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (38 - 36) |
June 1, 2009 | ME | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 56) |
May 12, 2009 | RI | H 5143 | E-Verify Bill | Bill Passed - House (38 - 33) |
April 13, 2009 | MD | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
April 3, 2009 | GA | HB 2 | Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47) |
April 3, 2009 | GA | SB 86 | Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (140 - 67) |
March 30, 2009 | GA | SB 67 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Bill Passed - House (104 - 58) |
March 11, 2009 | OK | HJR 1042 | English as Official State Language | Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32) |
March 9, 2009 | UT | HB 171 | Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 23) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
Aug. 29, 2008 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
May 29, 2008 | SC | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16) |
May 29, 2008 | CA | AB 2076 | Prohibiting E-verify | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
May 22, 2008 | OH | HB 477 | English Language for State Business | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
May 16, 2008 | MO | HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 | Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12) |
May 13, 2008 | AZ | HB 2807 | Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws | Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25) |
May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
May 8, 2008 | National | H Amdt 1045 | Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance | Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33) |
May 7, 2008 | SC | Amendment No. 8A | Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33) |
May 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1325 | Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17) |
April 29, 2008 | RI | H 7107 | Employment Verification Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
1/08 | SB 957 | Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
11/30 | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
9/20 | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (257 - 158) |
8/30 | AB 2189 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
8/24 | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26) |
5/16 | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37) |
4/19 | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
4/16 | SB 3345 | Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
3/15 | HB 1405 | Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements | Bill Passed - House (190 - 109) |
3/14 | HB 488 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (70 - 47) |
2/14 | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
2/08 | HB 103 | Increasing Regulation of Driver's Licenses Issued to Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
2/01 | HB 1383 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents | Bill Passed - House (250 - 88) |
11/29 | HR 3012 | Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations | Bill Passed - House (389 - 15) |
11/15 | HB 439 | Hiring Undocumented Workers | Bill Passed - House (122 - 74) |
6/02 | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29) |
6/01 | AB 131 | In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
5/30 | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
5/25 | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (65 - 39) |
5/19 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
5/17 | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
5/12 | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
5/10 | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
5/05 | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
4/18 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
4/14 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
4/11 | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65) |
4/11 | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17) |
4/05 | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (73 - 28) |
3/22 | HB 1140 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
3/10 | HB 167 | Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only | Bill Passed - House (102 - 56) |
3/04 | HB 497 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
3/04 | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
3/03 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (113 - 56) |
2/28 | HB 191 | Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
2/24 | HB 165 | State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act | Bill Passed - House (57 - 14) |
2/23 | HB 116 | Guest Worker Program | Bill Passed - House (43 - 28) |
2/22 | HB 2006 | Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 50) |
2/22 | HB 253 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
2/18 | HB 70 | Identifying Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
2/08 | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
2/08 | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
2/07 | HB 1013 | Hiring of Unauthorized Workers | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
1/27 | SB 2179 | Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 40) |
1/18 | HB 71 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
12/08 | HR 5281 | DREAM Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198) |
6/09 | HB 670 | Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30) |
6/08 | HB 1502 | Verification of Employee Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (188 - 6) |
5/24 | HJR 1253 | Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy | Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27) |
4/28 | Sánchez Amdt | Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study | Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75) |
4/13 | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (35 - 21) |
3/11 | SB 251 | Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
2/24 | HB 227 | Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (38 - 36) |
6/01 | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 56) |
5/12 | H 5143 | E-Verify Bill | Bill Passed - House (38 - 33) |
4/13 | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
4/03 | HB 2 | Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47) |
4/03 | SB 86 | Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (140 - 67) |
3/30 | SB 67 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Bill Passed - House (104 - 58) |
3/11 | HJR 1042 | English as Official State Language | Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32) |
3/09 | HB 171 | Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 23) |
8/31 | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
8/29 | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
5/29 | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16) |
5/29 | AB 2076 | Prohibiting E-verify | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
5/22 | HB 477 | English Language for State Business | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
5/16 | HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 | Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12) |
5/13 | HB 2807 | Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws | Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25) |
5/13 | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
5/13 | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
5/13 | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
5/08 | H Amdt 1045 | Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance | Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33) |
5/07 | Amendment No. 8A | Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33) |
5/05 | HB 1325 | Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17) |
4/29 | H 7107 | Employment Verification Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |