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 10, 2010 TN HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
May 7, 2010 KS HB 2650 Transportation Works For Kansas Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 7, 2010 IL SB 3739 Establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
May 7, 2010 IL HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
May 6, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 642 Public University Borrowing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 642 Public University Borrowing Bill Passed - House (87 - 28)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
May 6, 2010 KS HB 2360 Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 5, 2010 IL SB 3695 Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
May 5, 2010 OK SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
May 5, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - House (93 - 57)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
May 4, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 4, 2010 IL HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
May 4, 2010 LA HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
May 4, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
May 1, 2010 CT SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 30, 2010 CT SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 30, 2010 CT HB 5033 Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts Bill Passed - House (125 - 18)
April 29, 2010 MO HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 29, 2010 CT HB 5483 Hotel Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 64)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
April 28, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 27, 2010 National HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
April 27, 2010 HI HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
April 27, 2010 LA HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
April 27, 2010 CO HB 1200 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
April 27, 2010 VT SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
April 26, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 23, 2010 CO SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 22, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
April 21, 2010 NH SB 489 Gambling Expansion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
April 21, 2010 GA HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 21, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
April 20, 2010 GA HB 1405 Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
April 20, 2010 MO SB 943 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 19, 2010 AZ Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
April 18, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 18, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 17, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
April 17, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
April 16, 2010 CO HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 25)
April 16, 2010 CO HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
April 15, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 15, 2010 MO SB 1014 Limiting Prison Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
April 14, 2010 GA HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
April 14, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
April 14, 2010 LA HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 14, 2010 LA HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 14, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
April 14, 2010 LA Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
April 12, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 44)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 36)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 43)
April 12, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 10, 2010 WA SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
April 8, 2010 NE LB 842 Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 7, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 7, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - House (100 - 48)
April 7, 2010 AK HB 348 Alaska Personnel Board Amendments Bill Passed - House (29 - 10)
April 6, 2010 ME LD 1830 Suspending Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/10 HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
5/07 HB 2650 Transportation Works For Kansas Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/07 SB 3739 Establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
5/07 HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
5/06 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
5/06 SB 642 Public University Borrowing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
5/06 SB 642 Public University Borrowing Bill Passed - House (87 - 28)
5/06 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
5/06 HB 2360 Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/05 SB 3695 Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
5/05 SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
5/05 SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
5/05 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/05 SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - House (93 - 57)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/05 SB 494 Adjustments to State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
5/04 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/04 HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
5/04 HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
5/04 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
5/01 SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/30 SB 1 Tax Code Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/30 HB 5033 Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts Bill Passed - House (125 - 18)
4/29 HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/29 HB 5483 Hotel Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
4/28 HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
4/28 HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
4/28 HB 2002 2010-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 64)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
4/28 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/27 HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
4/27 HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
4/27 HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
4/27 HB 1200 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
4/27 SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
4/26 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/23 SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/22 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
4/21 SB 489 Gambling Expansion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
4/21 HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/21 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
4/21 Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
4/20 HB 1405 Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/20 Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
4/20 Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
4/20 SB 943 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/19 Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
4/18 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/18 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/17 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
4/17 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
4/16 HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 25)
4/16 HB 1376 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
4/15 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/15 SB 1014 Limiting Prison Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
4/14 HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
4/14 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
4/14 HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/14 HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/14 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
4/14 Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
4/12 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 44)
4/12 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
4/12 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
4/12 HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 36)
4/12 HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 43)
4/12 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
4/12 HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
4/12 HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/10 SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
4/09 SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
4/08 LB 842 Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/07 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/07 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - House (100 - 48)
4/07 HB 348 Alaska Personnel Board Amendments Bill Passed - House (29 - 10)
4/06 LD 1830 Suspending Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)

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