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. 16, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
Nov. 29, 2011 National HR 3012 Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations Bill Passed - House (389 - 15)
Nov. 15, 2011 PA HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - House (300 - 129)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - House (278 - 151)
Oct. 4, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
Sept. 23, 2011 National HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
Sept. 21, 2011 National HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Failed - House (195 - 230)
Sept. 9, 2011 MO HB 6 Appropriations for Missouri Disaster Relief Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
June 24, 2011 National H J Res 68 Authorizes Limited Use of US Armed Forces in Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (123 - 295)
June 24, 2011 National HR 2278 Limits the Use of Funds in Support of NATO Operations in Libya Bill Failed - House (180 - 238)
June 13, 2011 National H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
June 2, 2011 AL HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
June 1, 2011 CA AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
May 25, 2011 SC S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 17, 2011 TX SB 420 Eligibility for Indigent Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
May 12, 2011 CT HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
May 10, 2011 TX HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
May 5, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
April 11, 2011 AZ HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
April 9, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
April 7, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
April 5, 2011 AL HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (73 - 28)
April 3, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
March 29, 2011 National HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
March 22, 2011 CO HB 1140 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
March 17, 2011 National H Con Res 28 Removing Troops from Afghanistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (93 - 321)
March 10, 2011 MO HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
March 4, 2011 UT HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
March 4, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 3, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2011 UT HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2011 KS HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
Feb. 18, 2011 UT HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 16, 2011 National H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
Feb. 15, 2011 National H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
Feb. 14, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
Feb. 10, 2011 ND HB 1327 Authority to Declare Evacuations During Local Disasters and Emergencies Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 8, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Jan. 27, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/16 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
11/29 HR 3012 Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations Bill Passed - House (389 - 15)
11/15 HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
10/12 HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - House (300 - 129)
10/12 HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
10/12 HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - House (278 - 151)
10/04 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
9/23 HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
9/21 HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Failed - House (195 - 230)
9/09 HB 6 Appropriations for Missouri Disaster Relief Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
6/24 H J Res 68 Authorizes Limited Use of US Armed Forces in Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (123 - 295)
6/24 HR 2278 Limits the Use of Funds in Support of NATO Operations in Libya Bill Failed - House (180 - 238)
6/13 H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
6/02 HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29)
6/02 H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
6/02 H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
6/02 H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
6/01 AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
5/30 SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
5/25 S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/17 SB 420 Eligibility for Indigent Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
5/12 HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
5/10 HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
5/05 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
4/18 SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/18 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/14 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
4/11 SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
4/11 HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
4/09 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
4/07 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
4/05 HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (73 - 28)
4/03 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
3/22 HB 1140 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
3/17 H Con Res 28 Removing Troops from Afghanistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (93 - 321)
3/10 HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
3/04 HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
3/04 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/03 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
2/28 HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
2/24 HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
2/23 HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
2/22 HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
2/22 HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/18 H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
2/18 HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/17 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/16 H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
2/15 H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
2/14 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
2/10 HB 1327 Authority to Declare Evacuations During Local Disasters and Emergencies Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
2/08 HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/08 HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/08 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
1/27 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)

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