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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 24, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 24, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 23, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 23, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 23, 2009 National S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 15, 2009 National S Amdt 2793 Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs Amendment Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ S 2905 Requiring Chain Restaurants to Post Nutrition Information Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Dec. 8, 2009 National S Amdt 2962 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 45)
Dec. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
Dec. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
Nov. 4, 2009 CA SBx7 7 Statewide Water Conservation Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Nov. 4, 2009 CA SBx7 6 Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Nov. 4, 2009 CA SBx7 2 Water Investment Bond Measure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Nov. 4, 2009 CA SBx7 8 Water Diversion Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
Nov. 4, 2009 CA SBx7 1 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Water Management Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Nov. 2, 2009 CA SBx7 8 Water Management Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Nov. 2, 2009 CA SBx7 2 Water Investment Bond Measure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Oct. 29, 2009 National HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (72 - 28)
Oct. 28, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
Oct. 28, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
Oct. 21, 2009 National S 1776 Eliminating Adjustments to Medicare Rates of Payment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
Oct. 8, 2009 National HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
Sept. 12, 2009 CA SB 14 Renewable Energy Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 1, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 13, 2009 CA SB 670 Ban on Suction and Dredge Mining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
July 1, 2009 AZ SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
July 1, 2009 AZ SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
June 30, 2009 OH SCR 15 Resolution Opposing Federal Cap and Trade Legislation Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 29, 2009 DE SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 29, 2009 OR HB 3369 Water Development Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
June 25, 2009 OR SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 25, 2009 OR SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
June 24, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
June 16, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 12, 2009 OR HB 3298 Creating a Water Management Plan Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 11, 2009 ME LD 1259 Menu Labeling Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 11, 2009 National HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 17)
June 9, 2009 WI SB 107 Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
June 8, 2009 ME LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 3, 2009 CA SB 458 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 3, 2009 CA SB 229 California Water Commission Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 2, 2009 CA SB 484 Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Prescription Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 1, 2009 CA SB 435 Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 1, 2009 OR HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 22, 2009 NV SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 5, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 29, 2009 National S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
April 29, 2009 ND SCR 4038 Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 28, 2009 National PN 188 Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (65 - 31)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
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 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/24 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
12/24 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
12/23 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
12/23 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
12/23 S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/22 S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
12/22 S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/22 S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/15 S Amdt 2793 Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs Amendment Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/10 S 2905 Requiring Chain Restaurants to Post Nutrition Information Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
12/08 S Amdt 2962 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 45)
12/03 S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
12/03 S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
11/04 SBx7 7 Statewide Water Conservation Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
11/04 SBx7 6 Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
11/04 SBx7 2 Water Investment Bond Measure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
11/04 SBx7 8 Water Diversion Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
11/04 SBx7 1 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Water Management Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
11/02 SBx7 8 Water Management Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
11/02 SBx7 2 Water Investment Bond Measure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
10/29 HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (72 - 28)
10/28 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
10/28 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
10/21 S 1776 Eliminating Adjustments to Medicare Rates of Payment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
10/08 HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
9/12 SB 14 Renewable Energy Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
9/08 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/01 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/24 ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/13 SB 670 Ban on Suction and Dredge Mining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
7/01 SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
7/01 SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
6/30 SCR 15 Resolution Opposing Federal Cap and Trade Legislation Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/29 SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/29 HB 3369 Water Development Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/25 A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
6/25 SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/25 SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/25 S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/24 HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
6/24 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/23 HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/22 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
6/16 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
6/15 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/12 HB 3298 Creating a Water Management Plan Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/11 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/11 LD 1259 Menu Labeling Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/11 HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/11 HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 17)
6/09 SB 107 Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
6/08 LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/03 SB 458 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/03 SB 229 California Water Commission Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/02 SB 484 Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Prescription Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/01 SB 435 Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/01 HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
5/30 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/30 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/22 SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/05 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/29 S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
4/29 SCR 4038 Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
4/29 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/29 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/28 PN 188 Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (65 - 31)
4/27 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
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)
4/15 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)

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