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 30, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
Jan. 9, 2009 IL HR 1671 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (114 - 1)
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. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
Dec. 23, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 24, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 3, 2009 National HR 4154 Estate Tax Law Amendments and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (225 - 200)
Jan. 14, 2009 IL HR 5 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (117 - 1)
Sept. 15, 2009 National H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
Sept. 15, 2009 National H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
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)
March 10, 2009 NV IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2009 NE LB 85 Bond Revenue to Fund Streets and Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
May 27, 2009 ME LD 353 2009-2011 Biennial Budget Bill Passed - House (119 - 26)
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
Nov. 19, 2009 National PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
April 15, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
March 26, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 29, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
April 16, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
April 10, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
April 7, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2009 National S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 26, 2009 National S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 26, 2009 National S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
Feb. 3, 2009 NY S 249-A Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
Feb. 3, 2009 NY S 249-A Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
Feb. 27, 2009 VT S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2009 VT S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
June 16, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 21, 2009 National S Amdt 1469 Repealing Funding for F-22 Aircraft Procurement Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
July 22, 2009 National S Amdt 1618 Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39)
Sept. 14, 2009 National S Amdt 2355 Prohibiting Funding for ACORN Amendment Adopted - Senate (83 - 7)
Oct. 6, 2009 National S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
June 22, 2009 LA SB 1 Increasing Amount of Allowed Budget Cuts Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
April 1, 2009 TX SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Jan. 30, 2009 AZ SB 1001 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2009 AZ SB 1001 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
Aug. 18, 2009 AZ SB 1025 Tax Law Amendments (Budget Reconciliation) Bill Passed - House (32 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2009 CO SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2009 CO SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 8, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodations Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
April 22, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
March 21, 2009 NM SB 116 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
May 21, 2009 CT SB 1167 Deficit Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 22, 2009 CT SB 1167 Deficit Reduction Bill Passed - House (96 - 34)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2009 GA SB 120 Repeal of Certain MARTA Financial Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 22)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Bill Passed - House (88 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2009 NC SB 15 Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11)
June 16, 2009 TN SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 16, 2009 TN SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 8, 2009 FL SB 1778 Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
June 25, 2009 CT SB 1801 Biennium Budget Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 26, 2009 CT SB 1801 Biennium Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 48)
Feb. 6, 2009 MT SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 6, 2009 MT SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
Jan. 14, 2009 FL SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Jan. 14, 2009 FL SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
June 19, 2009 CT SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/30 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
1/09 HR 1671 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (114 - 1)
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)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
12/23 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
12/24 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
12/03 HR 4154 Estate Tax Law Amendments and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (225 - 200)
1/14 HR 5 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (117 - 1)
9/15 H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
9/15 H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
10/07 H Res 805 Removing Rep. Charles Rangel as Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Motion Agreed - House (246 - 153)
3/10 IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
2/24 IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
2/20 LB 85 Bond Revenue to Fund Streets and Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
5/27 LD 353 2009-2011 Biennial Budget Bill Passed - House (119 - 26)
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
11/19 PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
4/15 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
3/26 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/29 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
4/16 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/25 S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
4/10 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
4/07 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/26 S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/26 S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/26 S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
3/16 S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
2/03 S 249-A Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
2/03 S 249-A Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
2/27 S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
2/27 S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
6/16 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
2/18 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
6/25 S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/21 S Amdt 1469 Repealing Funding for F-22 Aircraft Procurement Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
7/22 S Amdt 1618 Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39)
9/14 S Amdt 2355 Prohibiting Funding for ACORN Amendment Adopted - Senate (83 - 7)
10/06 S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
6/22 SB 1 Increasing Amount of Allowed Budget Cuts Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/01 SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
1/30 SB 1001 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
1/31 SB 1001 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
8/18 SB 1025 Tax Law Amendments (Budget Reconciliation) Bill Passed - House (32 - 15)
2/17 SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/26 SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/05 SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/08 SB 1111 Transient Accommodations Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
4/22 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
4/14 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
3/21 SB 116 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
2/25 SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
5/21 SB 1167 Deficit Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/22 SB 1167 Deficit Reduction Bill Passed - House (96 - 34)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/24 SB 120 Repeal of Certain MARTA Financial Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
7/15 SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
7/15 SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 22)
7/15 SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12)
7/15 SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Bill Passed - House (88 - 24)
2/25 SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
2/25 SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
2/04 SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/04 SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/19 SB 15 Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11)
6/16 SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/16 SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/08 SB 1778 Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
6/25 SB 1801 Biennium Budget Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/26 SB 1801 Biennium Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 48)
2/06 SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/06 SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
9/11 SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/11 SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
1/14 SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
1/14 SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
6/19 SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)

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