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
Dec. 15, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1274 Authorizes Further Detention After Trial During Wartime Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 59)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1274 Authorizes Further Detention After Trial During Wartime Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 59)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1126 Prohibits Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Trial Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1126 Prohibits Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Trial Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1125 Limits New Detention Rules to Prisoners Captured Outside the U.S. Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S Amdt 1125 Limits New Detention Rules to Prisoners Captured Outside the U.S. Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
Nov. 29, 2011 National S Amdt 1107 Removes Provisions Requiring Military Custody of al-Qaeda Suspects Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 60)
Nov. 28, 2011 NC SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Oct. 27, 2011 WI SB 12 Limits Attorney Fees in Consumer Cases Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Oct. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Oct. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Oct. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 26, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
Sept. 23, 2011 National S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
Sept. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 602 Emergency Disaster Relief Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
Sept. 8, 2011 National HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2011 NH SB 88 Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Sept. 7, 2011 NH SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2011 NH SB 88 Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 21, 2011 LA HB 7 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 12)
June 21, 2011 PA SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
June 15, 2011 OH SB 17 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 14, 2011 WI SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 10, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 6, 2011 ME LD 1463 Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - Senate (15 - 18)
June 4, 2011 CT SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
June 4, 2011 CT SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
May 30, 2011 NV AB 301 Voting Privileges for Felons Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 30, 2011 NV AB 136 Governing Credits for Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
May 23, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 23, 2011 National S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
May 23, 2011 National S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
May 12, 2011 RI S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 11, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 16)
May 11, 2011 KS SB 129 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 5, 2011 FL HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 28, 2011 MT HB 271 Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 28, 2011 MO HB 73 Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
April 28, 2011 FL HB 45 Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
April 28, 2011 FL SB 234 Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 25, 2011 NV SB 180 Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
April 19, 2011 AZ HB 2230 Relating to the 9/11 Memorial Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 24 Amending Rules of Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
April 12, 2011 OK S Amdt 1 Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
April 11, 2011 GA HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
April 5, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 5, 2011 DE HB 19 Reduce Punishment for Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
March 30, 2011 NH SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
March 17, 2011 CA AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 16, 2011 AZ SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 14, 2011 AZ SB 1467 Concealed Weapons on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 8, 2011 AZ SB 1610 Official State Gun Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 3, 2011 AZ SB 1201 Firearms Omnibus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 2, 2011 NC SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 1, 2011 WY HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2011 MO SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2011 OK SB 863 Compensation for Non-Economic Damages Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2011 WY HB 39 Funding for Lawsuit Against Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT SB 96 Alimony Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2011 AZ SCR 1020 Victim Liability Protection Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2011 MT SB 279 Permitting Qualified Personnel to Carry Weapons Into the Capital Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2011 MT SB 114 Communication Between Federal Law Enforcement Officers and County Sheriffs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2011 NJ S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Feb. 17, 2011 MO SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 15, 2011 MT SB 185 Abolish the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2011 AZ SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2011 VA SB 831 Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 24, 2011 VA SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2011 WY SF 47 Firearm Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 3539 Abolishing the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 25)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/15 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
12/01 S Amdt 1274 Authorizes Further Detention After Trial During Wartime Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 59)
12/01 S Amdt 1274 Authorizes Further Detention After Trial During Wartime Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 59)
12/01 S Amdt 1126 Prohibits Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Trial Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
12/01 S Amdt 1126 Prohibits Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Trial Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
12/01 S Amdt 1125 Limits New Detention Rules to Prisoners Captured Outside the U.S. Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
12/01 S Amdt 1125 Limits New Detention Rules to Prisoners Captured Outside the U.S. Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
11/29 S Amdt 1107 Removes Provisions Requiring Military Custody of al-Qaeda Suspects Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 60)
11/28 SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
10/27 SB 12 Limits Attorney Fees in Consumer Cases Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
10/21 S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
10/21 S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
10/21 S Amdt 753 Prohibits the Use of Funds for Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
9/26 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
9/23 S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
9/15 S Amdt 602 Emergency Disaster Relief Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
9/08 HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 9)
9/07 SB 88 Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
9/07 SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17)
9/07 SB 88 Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/21 HB 7 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/21 SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
6/15 SB 17 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/14 SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/10 LD 1376 Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/06 LD 1463 Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - Senate (15 - 18)
6/04 SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
6/04 SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
5/30 AB 301 Voting Privileges for Felons Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/30 AB 136 Governing Credits for Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
5/23 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/23 S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
5/23 S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
5/20 SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
5/12 S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/11 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 16)
5/11 SB 129 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23)
5/09 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/09 SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/05 HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/28 HB 271 Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/28 HB 73 Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
4/28 HB 45 Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
4/28 SB 234 Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/25 SB 180 Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
4/19 HB 2230 Relating to the 9/11 Memorial Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/14 HB 24 Amending Rules of Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
4/12 S Amdt 1 Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
4/11 HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
4/05 HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/05 HB 19 Reduce Punishment for Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
3/30 SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
3/17 AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/16 SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/14 SB 1467 Concealed Weapons on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/08 SB 1610 Official State Gun Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/03 SB 1201 Firearms Omnibus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/02 SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/01 HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/24 SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/23 SB 863 Compensation for Non-Economic Damages Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/22 HB 39 Funding for Lawsuit Against Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 19)
2/22 SB 96 Alimony Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
2/22 SCR 1020 Victim Liability Protection Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/21 SB 279 Permitting Qualified Personnel to Carry Weapons Into the Capital Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/19 SB 114 Communication Between Federal Law Enforcement Officers and County Sheriffs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/17 S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
2/17 SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/15 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
2/15 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/15 SB 185 Abolish the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/10 HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/10 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
2/10 SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
2/10 SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/03 SB 831 Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
1/26 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/24 SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
1/24 SF 47 Firearm Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
1/11 SB 3539 Abolishing the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 25)

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