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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 3871 | Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | A 3871 | Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes | Bill Passed - House (60 - 25) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | A 4207 | Establishes Medicaid Emergency Room Triage Reimbursement Fee for Low Acuity Emergency Room Encounters | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
March 23, 2017 | NJ | A 4243 | Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
April 15, 2020 | WI | AB 1038 | Establishes Various Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
April 14, 2020 | WI | AB 1038 | Establishes Various Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (97 - 2) |
July 8, 2019 | CA | AB 1054 | Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
July 15, 2021 | CA | AB 133 | Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | CA | AB 133 | Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (56 - 18) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Aug. 30, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 23) |
May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 163 | Requires State Oversight of Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors | Bill Passed - House (60 - 5) |
Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26) |
Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 177 | Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 192 | Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | CA | AB 213 | Extends One-Time Grant Payments to Recipients of SSI/SSP Benefits | Bill Passed - House (56 - 18) |
May 10, 2017 | WI | AB 242 | Requires Drug Screening for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
June 10, 2020 | CA | AB 3269 | Requires the Establishment of Plans to Reduce Homelessness | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
June 15, 2020 | CA | AB 3300 | Establishes the California Access to Housing and Services Fund | Bill Passed - House (62 - 2) |
June 9, 2021 | WI | AB 336 | Repeals $300 per Week Federal Unemployment Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
June 9, 2021 | WI | AB 336 | Repeals $300 per Week Federal Unemployment Compensation | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 4 | Authorizes Medi-Cal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 498 | Amends the calculations of contribution rates to the public employees retirement system for state employees | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
May 31, 2023 | NV | AB 498 | Amends the calculations of contribution rates to the public employees retirement system for state employees | Bill Passed - House (28 - 14) |
Sept. 2, 2011 | CA | AB 6 | Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 26) |
Aug. 31, 2011 | CA | AB 6 | Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
Jan. 15, 2021 | CA | AB 88 | Exempts Stimulus Payments from Garnishment | Bill Passed - House (48 - 13) |
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) |
March 2, 2011 | ID | H 109 | Extends Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
March 28, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 17, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
Jan. 15, 2014 | SC | H 3147 | Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
March 23, 2016 | ID | H 644 | Establishes Health Clinic Grant Program | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
July 27, 2000 | National | H Amdt 1041 | Social Security Benefits Tax Relief | Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 256) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1083 | Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates | Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230) |
June 6, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1133 | Wisconsin Welfare Reform Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
July 11, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1278 | Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 220) |
July 18, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1307 | Food Stamp Recipient Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 184) |
June 19, 2013 | National | H Amdt 176 | Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234) |
June 5, 2012 | NC | H Amdt 2 | Limits Compensation for Eugenics Patients | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 85) |
June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 231 | Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198) |
July 21, 1994 | National | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
July 22, 1994 | National | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
Sept. 25, 1998 | National | H Amdt 914 | Save Social Security Act Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216) |
March 7, 1996 | National | H Amdt 946 | Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222) |
March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
Sept. 9, 2015 | IL | HB 1 | Expands Heroin Abuse Treatment Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11) |
May 28, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53) |
March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
May 28, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11) |
March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16) |
May 4, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Feb. 21, 2020 | KY | HB 1 | Amends Public Assistance Laws and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (58 - 32) |
April 3, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (98 - 49) |
Jan. 31, 2012 | IN | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
June 16, 2016 | NC | HB 1047 | Requires Lottery Commission to Report Winner Information to Social Services | Bill Passed - House (74 - 39) |
July 3, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
July 1, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94) |
Jan. 24, 2011 | WA | HB 1086 | 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
April 23, 2019 | WA | HB 1087 | Establishes a Long-Term Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 41) |
April 16, 2019 | WA | HB 1087 | Establishes a Long-Term Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
Feb. 26, 2016 | MS | HB 1116 | Increases Identification Requirements for Medicaid | Bill Passed - House (76 - 40) |
Feb. 7, 2011 | SD | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
May 27, 2014 | IL | HB 1154 | Amends Cook County Pension Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
March 21, 2013 | IL | HB 1165 | Establishes Cost of Living Adjustments in Pensions | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
June 30, 2020 | NH | HB 1166 | Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (178 - 154) |
June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1166 | Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
July 28, 2014 | NC | HB 1181 | Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
Feb. 29, 2012 | SD | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6) |
Feb. 27, 2012 | SD | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 27, 2011 | IN | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32) |
April 19, 2011 | IN | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | SD | HB 1214 | Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
June 29, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
May 2, 2019 | TN | HB 1280 | Amends State Medicaid Funding | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 19) |
May 2, 2019 | TN | HB 1280 | Amends State Medicaid Funding | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 6) |
April 11, 2019 | TN | HB 1280 | Amends State Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (68 - 21) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17) |
March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (71 - 22) |
March 15, 2018 | MO | HB 1443 | Increases Penalties for Unauthorized Use of TANF or SNAP Benefits | Bill Passed - House (100 - 46) |
Jan. 31, 2011 | IN | HB 1450 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
April 3, 2018 | MO | HB 1486 | Establishes Work Requirements for SNAP Benefits | Bill Passed - House (107 - 43) |
March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53) |
April 21, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 68) |
April 15, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (112 - 47) |
March 1, 2012 | UT | HB 155 | Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
April 12, 2011 | IL | HB 161 | Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Photograph Requirement | Bill Passed - House (64 - 48) |