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
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 11, 2013 ME LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
June 6, 2013 National HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
June 5, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
June 5, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
June 4, 2013 National H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)
June 3, 2013 NV SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
June 2, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
May 30, 2013 LA SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
May 30, 2013 NJ A 3659 Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
May 29, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
May 28, 2013 IL HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48)
May 28, 2013 OR SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 24, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61)
May 23, 2013 IL HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
May 22, 2013 AZ SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2013 TX SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 22, 2013 National H Amdt 69 Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239)
May 22, 2013 National H Amdt 72 Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234)
May 22, 2013 NV SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 21, 2013 KS HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
May 20, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
May 20, 2013 NV SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
May 20, 2013 NV SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
May 20, 2013 CA SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 17, 2013 MO HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27)
May 16, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
May 15, 2013 MO HB 650 Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63)
May 15, 2013 AZ SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
May 14, 2013 MO HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 14, 2013 NV SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 14, 2013 NV SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 13, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
May 13, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
May 13, 2013 NJ A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 13, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 13, 2013 NJ A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 8, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38)
May 8, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38)
May 8, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 8, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 8, 2013 MO SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (109 - 41)
May 7, 2013 TX HB 928 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
May 7, 2013 NC HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 42)
May 6, 2013 TX SB 864 Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training Bill Passed - House (116 - 30)
May 6, 2013 TX HB 972 Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 41)
May 6, 2013 TX HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - House (123 - 22)
May 6, 2013 LA HB 45 Establishes Licenses for the In-State Sale and Manufacture of Firearms Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
May 6, 2013 TX HB 1076 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
May 6, 2013 TX HB 1076 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
May 3, 2013 CO HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 2, 2013 NH HB 443 Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
May 2, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
May 2, 2013 AL SB 286 Amends Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (74 - 27)
May 2, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
May 2, 2013 DE SB 16 Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 2, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 2, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 2, 2013 CA SB 501 Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 2, 2013 DE SB 16 Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 1, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
May 1, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
May 1, 2013 IA HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
May 1, 2013 IA HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
May 1, 2013 FL SB 1792 Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/11 LD 1286 Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
6/06 HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
6/05 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
6/05 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 39)
6/04 H Amdt 84 Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254)
6/03 SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
6/02 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12)
5/30 SB 162 Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
5/30 A 3659 Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
5/29 AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
5/29 SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/29 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
5/29 AB 48 Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
5/28 HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48)
5/28 SB 154 Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/24 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61)
5/23 HB 1247 Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
5/22 SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/22 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 SB 21 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (104 - 42)
5/22 HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/22 H Amdt 69 Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239)
5/22 H Amdt 72 Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234)
5/22 SB 221 Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/21 HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
5/20 A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24)
5/20 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
5/20 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
5/20 SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
5/20 SB 243 Requires DNA Samples for Felonies Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
5/20 SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/17 HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27)
5/16 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
5/15 HB 650 Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63)
5/15 SB 1178 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
5/14 HB 533 Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/14 SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/14 SB 139 Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/13 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
5/13 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
5/13 A 3796 Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/13 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/13 A 3797 Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/08 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38)
5/08 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38)
5/08 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/08 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/08 SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (109 - 41)
5/07 HB 928 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
5/07 HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 42)
5/06 SB 864 Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training Bill Passed - House (116 - 30)
5/06 HB 972 Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 41)
5/06 HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - House (123 - 22)
5/06 HB 45 Establishes Licenses for the In-State Sale and Manufacture of Firearms Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
5/06 HB 1076 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
5/06 HB 1076 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
5/03 HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/02 HB 443 Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
5/02 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
5/02 SB 286 Amends Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (74 - 27)
5/02 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
5/02 SB 16 Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/02 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/02 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/02 SB 501 Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/02 SB 16 Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/01 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
5/01 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
5/01 HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
5/01 HF 527 Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
5/01 SB 1792 Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)

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