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
April 20, 2009 TX HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 16, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 16, 2009 NC HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
April 15, 2009 IN SB 89 Health Care Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 7, 2009 ID H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
April 6, 2009 OK SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
April 3, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
April 2, 2009 National HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (298 - 112)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
March 31, 2009 WV SB 419 Calorie Information Posting Requirement for Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 30, 2009 ID H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 25, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
March 25, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
March 24, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 20, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
March 19, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 19, 2009 TX SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 19, 2009 TX SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 13, 2009 AR SB 239 Authorization for Unlicensed Assistants to Perform Simple Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 29)
March 12, 2009 GA SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
March 11, 2009 NH SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 5, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 4, 2009 KS HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
March 4, 2009 UT SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
March 3, 2009 UT SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 2, 2009 KY SB 79 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
March 2, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2009 UT HB 89 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Prosthetic Devices Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
Feb. 26, 2009 SC H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2009 National HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO SB 88 Extending State Employee Health Benefits to Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2009 NJ S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
Feb. 23, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
Feb. 23, 2009 NJ S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2009 MT SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 20, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 19, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2009 IA HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 17, 2009 KS SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2009 MT SB 142 Consideration of Gender for Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/16 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/16 HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
4/15 SB 89 Health Care Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/14 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
4/14 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/07 H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
4/06 SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
4/03 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
4/02 HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (298 - 112)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
3/31 SB 419 Calorie Information Posting Requirement for Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/30 H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
3/26 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/25 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
3/25 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
3/24 HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
3/24 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/20 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
3/19 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/19 SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/19 SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/13 SB 239 Authorization for Unlicensed Assistants to Perform Simple Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 29)
3/12 SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
3/11 SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
3/11 HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
3/10 SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/09 SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/09 HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/05 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/04 HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
3/04 SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
3/03 SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/02 SB 79 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
3/02 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
2/27 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
2/27 HB 89 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Prosthetic Devices Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
2/26 H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
2/26 HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/24 Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
2/24 SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/24 SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/24 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
2/24 SB 88 Extending State Employee Health Benefits to Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/23 S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/23 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
2/23 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
2/23 S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/21 SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/20 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/19 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
2/18 HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/17 SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/16 SB 142 Consideration of Gender for Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
2/12 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
2/09 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)

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