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
April 7, 2011 AL SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2011 AR SB 275 Reduction of Excise Tax on Electricity and Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 10, 2011 AZ SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 5, 2011 AZ HB 2619 Unemployment Security Special Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2011 AZ HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 16, 2011 AZ SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 2, 2011 AZ SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 6, 2011 CO HB 1005 Repeals Taxes on Agricultural Products Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 27, 2011 CT HB 6650 Appropriations for Judicial Branch and Other Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 2, 2011 CT SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 1, 2011 CT SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 6, 2011 FL HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13)
May 6, 2011 FL SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
May 4, 2011 FL HJR 381 Homestead and Property Assessment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
April 12, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 4, 2011 ID S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 24, 2011 ID S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Dec. 13, 2011 IL SB 400 Amends State Income Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
Dec. 13, 2011 IL SB 397 Tax Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 9)
Nov. 29, 2011 IL HB 1883 Property Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18)
May 12, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 2, 2011 KY HB 305 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 2, 2011 LA HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 31, 2011 LA SB 108 Limits Tax and Bond Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 9, 2011 MI SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 24, 2011 MI SB 348 1 Percent Tax on Paid Health Insurance Claims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4526 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4362 Business Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4479 Interstate Compact and Business Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4361 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 18, 2011 MN SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
Feb. 3, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 25 2011-2013 Health and Human Services Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
July 19, 2011 MN SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
Sept. 14, 2011 MO SB 8 Tax Credit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
April 28, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 12, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
April 11, 2011 MT HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Sept. 26, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
July 31, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
Aug. 2, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
July 22, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
May 25, 2011 National H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
Dec. 17, 2011 National S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 9, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 2, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
March 17, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
April 14, 2011 National HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
March 1, 2011 National S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
June 14, 2011 National S Amdt 436 Repeals the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (40 - 59)
June 21, 2011 National S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
Sept. 23, 2011 National S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
May 25, 2011 National S Con Res 21 2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 55)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
Nov. 3, 2011 National S 1769 Transportation Infrastructure Appropriations and Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
March 9, 2011 National S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
March 2, 2011 National S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
May 17, 2011 National S 940 Amending Oil Company Tax Laws Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 48)
Nov. 10, 2011 National S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
June 15, 2011 NC HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 9, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
April 14, 2011 NC HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 7, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2011 NJ S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 3, 2011 NJ S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 29, 2011 NJ S 4000 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 23, 2011 NJ S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
March 16, 2011 NM HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
June 5, 2011 NV AB 580 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 10, 2011 NV AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 18, 2011 NV SB 75 Investment in Private Equity Firms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
June 15, 2011 NY S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2706 Limitations on Tax Levies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1919 Amends Rules for Legislature Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/07 SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/22 SB 275 Reduction of Excise Tax on Electricity and Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/10 SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/05 HB 2619 Unemployment Security Special Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
2/16 HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/01 SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/01 SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/01 SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/16 SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/02 SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/06 HB 1005 Repeals Taxes on Agricultural Products Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/27 HB 6650 Appropriations for Judicial Branch and Other Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/02 SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/01 SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/06 HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13)
5/06 SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
5/04 HJR 381 Homestead and Property Assessment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
4/12 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
2/16 SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/04 S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/24 S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
12/13 SB 400 Amends State Income Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
12/13 SB 397 Tax Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 9)
11/29 HB 1883 Property Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18)
5/12 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
2/15 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/02 HB 305 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/02 HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/31 SB 108 Limits Tax and Bond Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/09 SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/26 HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
8/24 SB 348 1 Percent Tax on Paid Health Insurance Claims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
5/26 HB 4526 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
5/12 HB 4362 Business Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/12 HB 4479 Interstate Compact and Business Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
5/12 HB 4361 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/18 SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
2/03 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
7/19 HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
7/19 HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
7/19 HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
7/19 HF 25 2011-2013 Health and Human Services Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
7/19 SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
9/14 SB 8 Tax Credit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
4/28 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/12 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
4/11 HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
9/26 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
7/31 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
8/02 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
7/22 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
5/25 H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
12/17 S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
12/14 S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/09 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
12/14 S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/02 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
3/17 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
4/14 HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
10/11 S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
3/01 S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
6/14 S Amdt 436 Repeals the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (40 - 59)
6/21 S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
9/23 S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
5/25 S Con Res 21 2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 55)
12/01 S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
12/01 S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
11/03 S 1769 Transportation Infrastructure Appropriations and Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
3/09 S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
3/02 S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
5/17 S 940 Amending Oil Company Tax Laws Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 48)
11/10 S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
2/02 S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
2/02 S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
12/14 S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
12/14 S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
6/15 HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/09 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/14 HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/07 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/17 S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/03 S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/29 S 4000 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/23 S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
3/16 HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
6/05 AB 580 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/10 AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/18 SB 75 Investment in Private Equity Firms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
1/19 S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
6/15 S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
1/31 S 2706 Limitations on Tax Levies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
1/19 S 1919 Amends Rules for Legislature Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)

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