Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 13, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 55)
May 12, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption 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 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 10, 2011 NV AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 10, 2011 NV AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 7, 2011 FL SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 39)
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 6, 2011 FL HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 34)
May 5, 2011 FL HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 5, 2011 MI HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 4, 2011 NC HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (72 - 47)
May 3, 2011 CT SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 67)
May 2, 2011 CT SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
April 28, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 50)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
April 27, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 27, 2011 IN HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 26, 2011 FL HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - House (78 - 38)
April 26, 2011 OR HB 3543 Kicker Refunds Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
April 25, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 19, 2011 IN HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
April 15, 2011 National H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 193)
April 14, 2011 NC HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 14, 2011 National HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
April 14, 2011 NC HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 49)
April 14, 2011 National HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
April 13, 2011 OR SB 5552 Department of Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
April 12, 2011 IL HB 161 Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Photograph Requirement Bill Passed - House (64 - 48)
April 12, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
April 12, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
April 12, 2011 AL HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
April 11, 2011 MT HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 9, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
April 7, 2011 AL SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 6, 2011 MN SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 62)
April 6, 2011 ID S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
April 5, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 44)
April 4, 2011 ID S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
April 3, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
April 3, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 1, 2011 TX H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
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)
March 31, 2011 ID S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - House (38 - 30)
March 31, 2011 NH HB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (243 - 124)
March 30, 2011 IN HB 1001 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
March 30, 2011 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117)
March 30, 2011 NY S 2808 Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13)
March 29, 2011 National HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
March 28, 2011 ID H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
March 24, 2011 ID S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 24, 2011 MD HB 70 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
March 23, 2011 MI HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44)
March 23, 2011 MI HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
March 22, 2011 AL SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
March 22, 2011 AL SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33)
March 17, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
March 17, 2011 ID H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
March 17, 2011 National HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
March 16, 2011 NM HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 16, 2011 National HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
March 16, 2011 AZ SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 15, 2011 SC Amdt 71 Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69)
March 15, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
March 15, 2011 SC H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
March 11, 2011 National HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
March 10, 2011 AZ SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 10, 2011 National HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
March 9, 2011 MI SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 9, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 9, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
March 9, 2011 National S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
March 3, 2011 NJ S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 2, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
March 2, 2011 National S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
March 2, 2011 NM HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
March 2, 2011 AZ SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 2, 2011 ID H 109 Extends Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
March 1, 2011 National S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
March 1, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 1, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2011 TX SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/13 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 55)
5/12 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/12 HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption 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 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/10 AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/10 AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/07 SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 39)
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)
5/06 HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 34)
5/05 HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/05 HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/04 HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (72 - 47)
5/03 SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 67)
5/02 SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
4/28 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/28 HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 50)
4/28 HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
4/28 HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
4/28 HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
4/27 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/27 HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/26 HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - House (78 - 38)
4/26 HB 3543 Kicker Refunds Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
4/25 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/20 SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/19 HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
4/15 H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 193)
4/14 HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/14 HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
4/14 HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 49)
4/14 HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
4/13 SB 5552 Department of Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
4/12 HB 161 Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Photograph Requirement Bill Passed - House (64 - 48)
4/12 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
4/12 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
4/12 HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
4/11 HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/09 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
4/07 SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/06 SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 62)
4/06 S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
4/05 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 44)
4/04 S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/03 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
4/03 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
4/01 SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
4/01 SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/01 SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/01 H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
4/01 SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
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)
3/31 S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - House (38 - 30)
3/31 HB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (243 - 124)
3/30 HB 1001 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/30 HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
3/30 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - House (256 - 117)
3/30 S 2808 Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
3/28 H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
3/24 S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/24 HB 70 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
3/23 HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44)
3/23 HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
3/22 SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
3/22 SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33)
3/17 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
3/17 H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
3/17 HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
3/16 HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/16 HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
3/16 SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/15 Amdt 71 Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69)
3/15 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
3/15 H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
3/11 HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
3/10 SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/10 HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
3/09 SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/09 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/09 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
3/09 S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
3/03 S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/02 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
3/02 S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
3/02 HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
3/02 SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/02 H 109 Extends Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
3/01 S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
3/01 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/01 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/23 SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)

arrow_upward