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
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 30, 2009 MI HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 29, 2009 MI HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 23)
June 23, 2009 MI HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Oct. 8, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 8, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 42)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
June 26, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
June 26, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
June 18, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 18, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
Jan. 15, 2009 CT HB 5095 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2009 CT HB 5095 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
July 23, 2009 NC HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
Oct. 6, 2009 MI HB 5386 Physician Services Tax Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Sept. 16, 2009 MO HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
Sept. 16, 2009 MO HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
Sept. 16, 2009 MO HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
March 3, 2009 OH HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
June 18, 2009 TN HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 5, 2009 NM HB 616 State Employee Return-to-Work Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
May 27, 2009 CT HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 26, 2009 CT HB 6435 Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
May 12, 2009 CT HB 6437 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (76 - 69)
March 4, 2009 NH HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 2, 2009 UT HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 CT HB 6602 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2009 WY HB 67 Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2009 WY HB 67 Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Aug. 31, 2009 CT HB 6802 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
Aug. 31, 2009 CT HB 6802 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 2, 2009 MO HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
April 2, 2009 MO HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
May 31, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
May 28, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
Sept. 24, 2009 CT HB 7002 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Sept. 24, 2009 CT HB 7002 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (106 - 34)
Dec. 21, 2009 CT HB 7101 Delaying the Estate and Gift Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Dec. 21, 2009 CT HB 7101 Delaying the Estate and Gift Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
June 23, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
April 1, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 13, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 836 Modifying Appropriations Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 30)
Aug. 7, 2009 NC HB 836 Modifying Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 21, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
Feb. 2, 2009 WY HB 87 Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (24 - 36)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Passed - House (53 - 28)
June 22, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 889 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (45 - 55)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
June 18, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
Jan. 26, 2009 MO HCR 5 Rejecting Pay Increases for Elected Officials and Judges Resolution Passed - House (129 - 31)
Jan. 26, 2009 MO HCR 5 Rejecting Pay Increases for Elected Officials and Judges Resolution Passed - House (129 - 31)
March 4, 2009 NH HCR 6 Resolution Regarding States' Rights "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 150)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
May 17, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
March 26, 2009 MN HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
March 17, 2009 IA HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
May 17, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 49)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
March 12, 2009 MO HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
April 16, 2009 MO HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
June 1, 2009 TN HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
May 30, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/24 HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/30 HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
9/29 HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 23)
6/23 HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
10/08 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
10/08 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 42)
6/24 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/06 HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/06 HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
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)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
3/12 HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
6/26 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
6/26 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
6/18 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/18 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/19 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/19 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
1/15 HB 5095 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
1/14 HB 5095 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
7/23 HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
10/06 HB 5386 Physician Services Tax Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
9/16 HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
9/16 HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
9/16 HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
3/03 HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
6/18 HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/05 HB 616 State Employee Return-to-Work Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
5/27 HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/26 HB 6435 Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
5/12 HB 6437 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (76 - 69)
3/04 HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
5/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
5/30 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/02 HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
5/30 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/25 HB 6602 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/18 HB 67 Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
1/19 HB 67 Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
8/31 HB 6802 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
8/31 HB 6802 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/02 HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
4/02 HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
6/17 HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
5/27 HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
5/31 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
5/28 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
9/24 HB 7002 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
9/24 HB 7002 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (106 - 34)
12/21 HB 7101 Delaying the Estate and Gift Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
12/21 HB 7101 Delaying the Estate and Gift Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
6/29 HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
6/23 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
6/16 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/19 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
4/16 HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
4/01 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/13 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
8/10 HB 836 Modifying Appropriations Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 30)
8/07 HB 836 Modifying Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/21 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/09 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
2/02 HB 87 Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (24 - 36)
6/09 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Passed - House (53 - 28)
6/22 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
6/15 HB 889 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (45 - 55)
5/01 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
6/18 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
1/26 HCR 5 Rejecting Pay Increases for Elected Officials and Judges Resolution Passed - House (129 - 31)
1/26 HCR 5 Rejecting Pay Increases for Elected Officials and Judges Resolution Passed - House (129 - 31)
3/04 HCR 6 Resolution Regarding States' Rights "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 150)
5/08 HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
5/17 HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
3/26 HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
5/18 HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
2/26 HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
3/17 HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
5/17 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 49)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
3/12 HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
4/16 HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
6/01 HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
5/30 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)

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