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.


Page 1 of 4
results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 10, 2007 AK CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
June 26, 2007 AK HCS CS SB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - House (34 - 3)
June 9, 2011 AL HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
June 2, 2011 AL HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
April 10, 2012 AL SB 388 Amends State Employee Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 12, 2011 AL HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 28, 2021 AZ SB 1848 Authorizes Emergency Shelter Beds for Homeless Senior Citizens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
April 14, 2011 AZ SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 21, 2023 AZ SB 1017 Expands Coverage of Cochlear Implants to Adults Through Arizona's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 5, 2008 CA SB 153 Property Transfer Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
Aug. 22, 2006 CA SB 1248 Long-Term Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 15, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
May 11, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
Aug. 17, 2006 CA SB 1248 Long-Term Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Aug. 25, 2022 CA AB 1502 Expands Nursing Home Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - House (48 - 29)
Aug. 25, 2022 CA AB 1502 Expands Nursing Home Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 25, 2020 CA ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 2, 2006 CO HB 1100 Prescription Drug Discount Program Bill Failed - House (30 - 35)
April 26, 2023 CO SB 23-058 Prohibits Age-Related Discrimination in Work Settings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 11, 2022 CO SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 11, 2022 CO SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 21, 2023 CO SB 23-058 Prohibits Age-Related Discrimination in Work Settings Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
May 9, 2022 CO SB 22-203 Establishes a Program for All-Inclusive Health Care for the Elderly Bill Passed - House (55 - 10)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 22, 2022 CO SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 23, 2010 CO SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
May 4, 2022 CT SB 286 Amends Elder Abuse Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (110 - 32)
Jan. 26, 2023 DE SB 29 Amends State Retiree Benefits Bill Passed - House (35 - 5)
Jan. 18, 2023 DE SB 29 Amends State Retiree Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 25, 2014 FL HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
April 14, 2010 GA HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
March 8, 2021 GA SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
May 3, 2022 HI SB 3289 Establishes Retirement Savings Program (50 - 1)
April 12, 2011 HI SB 570 Taxation of Certain Pension Incomes Bill Passed - House (28 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2006 IA HF 2045 Senior Citizen Tax Revision Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (89 - 6)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 15, 2021 ID H 309 Amends the Property Tax Deferral Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
May 29, 2008 IL SB 788 Authorizing $16 Billion Increase in Bonds for State Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
May 5, 2010 IL SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9)
May 10, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
Nov. 6, 2013 IL SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
March 31, 2022 IL SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors (71 - 32)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
May 9, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 2562 Establishes Heating and Cooling Standards for Buildings Housing Individuals 55 and Older Bill Passed - House (70 - 37)
April 9, 2019 IL HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
Feb. 23, 2022 IL SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 24, 2010 IL SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2010 IL HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
May 3, 2012 KS HB 2333 Amends State Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 3, 2012 KS King Amendment Amends the State Retirement System for New Public Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2006 KY HB 163 State Request for Federal Drug Importation Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
March 11, 2008 KY HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
March 26, 2013 KY SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28)
March 26, 2013 KY SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2013 KY SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2013 KY SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2021 KY HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 27, 2013 KY HB 416 Establishes the Kentucky Retirement Systems Sustainability Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
June 8, 2009 LA HB 316 Property Tax Exemption Joint Resolution Failed - House (30 - 63)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 3, 2013 LA SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
April 6, 2022 LA SB 6 Expands Retired Teachers' Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 7, 2011 LA HB 138 Parole Eligibility for Elderly Inmates Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
Sept. 15, 2011 MA S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 1, 2022 MD HB 1468 Authorizes Tax Credit for Senior Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 17, 2022 MD SB 1005 Requires Retirement and Pension System to Divest from Russia Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
May 24, 2006 ME LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
6/26 HCS CS SB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - House (34 - 3)
6/09 HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
6/02 HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
4/10 SB 388 Amends State Employee Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/12 HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
4/18 SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/28 SB 1848 Authorizes Emergency Shelter Beds for Homeless Senior Citizens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
4/14 SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/21 SB 1017 Expands Coverage of Cochlear Implants to Adults Through Arizona's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
8/20 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/05 SB 153 Property Transfer Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
8/22 SB 1248 Long-Term Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/15 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
5/11 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/29 SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/28 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
8/17 SB 1248 Long-Term Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
8/25 AB 1502 Expands Nursing Home Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
8/31 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - House (48 - 29)
8/25 AB 1502 Expands Nursing Home Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/25 ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/02 HB 1100 Prescription Drug Discount Program Bill Failed - House (30 - 35)
4/26 SB 23-058 Prohibits Age-Related Discrimination in Work Settings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/11 SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/11 SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/21 SB 23-058 Prohibits Age-Related Discrimination in Work Settings Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
5/09 SB 22-203 Establishes a Program for All-Inclusive Health Care for the Elderly Bill Passed - House (55 - 10)
2/16 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/22 SB 22-154 Expands Regulation of Assisted Living Residences Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/23 SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/01 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
5/04 SB 286 Amends Elder Abuse Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (110 - 32)
1/26 SB 29 Amends State Retiree Benefits Bill Passed - House (35 - 5)
1/18 SB 29 Amends State Retiree Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/25 HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
4/14 HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
3/08 SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
5/03 SB 3289 Establishes Retirement Savings Program (50 - 1)
4/12 SB 570 Taxation of Certain Pension Incomes Bill Passed - House (28 - 23)
1/31 HF 2045 Senior Citizen Tax Revision Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (89 - 6)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/15 H 309 Amends the Property Tax Deferral Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
5/29 SB 788 Authorizing $16 Billion Increase in Bonds for State Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
5/31 SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
5/05 SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9)
5/10 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/27 HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
11/06 SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
3/31 SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors (71 - 32)
1/11 HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
5/30 SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
5/31 HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
5/09 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/24 HB 2562 Establishes Heating and Cooling Standards for Buildings Housing Individuals 55 and Older Bill Passed - House (70 - 37)
4/09 HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
2/23 SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/24 SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/24 HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
5/03 HB 2333 Amends State Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/03 King Amendment Amends the State Retirement System for New Public Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
2/08 HB 163 State Request for Federal Drug Importation Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
3/11 HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
3/26 SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28)
3/26 SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
3/16 HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
2/27 SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
2/13 SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/04 HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/27 HB 416 Establishes the Kentucky Retirement Systems Sustainability Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
6/08 HB 316 Property Tax Exemption Joint Resolution Failed - House (30 - 63)
5/28 SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/20 HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
10/22 HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/03 SB 5 Repeals Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 33)
4/06 SB 6 Expands Retired Teachers' Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/07 HB 138 Parole Eligibility for Elderly Inmates Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
9/27 Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
9/27 Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
9/27 S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
9/15 S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/01 HB 1468 Authorizes Tax Credit for Senior Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/17 SB 1005 Requires Retirement and Pension System to Divest from Russia Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
5/24 LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)

Page 1 of 4
arrow_upward