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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | HB 5 | Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32) |
Dec. 4, 2014 | OH | HB 661 | Increases Salaries of Elected Officials | Bill Passed - House (56 - 26) |
Dec. 4, 2014 | National | HR 5759 | Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (219 - 197) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | OH | HB 5 | Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Dec. 1, 2014 | NJ | S 536 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Dec. 1, 2014 | NJ | S 536 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | HR 1422 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 191) |
Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | SCR 125 | Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | S 2430 | Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | SCR 125 | Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
Sept. 11, 2014 | National | S J Res 19 | A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
Sept. 9, 2014 | National | H Res 644 | Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists | Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Bill Passed - House (47 - 27) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (71 - 38) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (71 - 38) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Aug. 2, 2014 | NC | SB 744 | 2014-2015 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44) |
Aug. 2, 2014 | NC | SB 744 | 2014-2015 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44) |
Aug. 1, 2014 | NC | SB 744 | 2014-2015 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10) |
Aug. 1, 2014 | NC | SB 744 | 2014-2015 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10) |
Aug. 1, 2014 | National | HR 5272 | To Prohibit Certain Actions with Respect to Deferred Action for Aliens Not Lawfully Present in the United States, and for Other Purposes | Bill Passed - House (216 - 192) |
July 30, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
July 30, 2014 | National | H Res 676 | Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States | Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201) |
July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
July 28, 2014 | NC | HB 1181 | Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
July 25, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
July 16, 2014 | NC | SB 812 | Repeals Common Core Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1093 | Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from Providing Bonuses to Employees | Amendment Adopted - House (282 - 138) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1086 | Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
July 10, 2014 | NC | SB 812 | Repeals Common Core Standards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12) |
July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - House (144 - 59) |
June 26, 2014 | DE | HB 13 | Prohibits Lawmakers from Becoming Lobbyists for 1 Year After Leaving Office | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (33 - 7) |
June 26, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Adopted - House (29 - 12) |
June 26, 2014 | NJ | S 2015 | 2014-2015 Budget | Bill Passed - House (48 - 31) |
June 26, 2014 | NJ | S 2015 | 2014-2015 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Rejected - House (24 - 15) |
June 23, 2014 | CA | AJR 1 | Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
June 23, 2014 | CA | AJR 1 | Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | S 6617B | Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects | Bill Passed - House (119 - 16) |
June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 935 | Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen | Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
June 18, 2014 | RI | H 8072A | Repeals Straight Party Voting Option on Election Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
June 16, 2014 | NJ | SCR 116 | Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent | Resolution Passed - House (47 - 30) |
June 12, 2014 | NJ | SCR 116 | Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
June 10, 2014 | MI | SB 789 | Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
June 3, 2014 | MI | HB 5575 | Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
June 1, 2014 | LA | HB 953 | Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 17) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | SB 274 | Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | HB 105 | Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 41) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | SB 274 | Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators | Bill Passed - House (65 - 48) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | HB 105 | Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 763 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Require Journalists to Disclose Sources | Amendment Adopted - House (225 - 183) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 748 | Prohibits Federal Agencies from Preventing States from Authorizing the Use of Medical Marijuana | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 750 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1253 | Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1873 | Authorizes the Use of Mail Ballots During Special Elections | Bill Passed - House (44 - 32) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1253 | Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
May 28, 2014 | LA | HB 953 | Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | AB 1609 | Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
May 27, 2014 | IL | HB 3836 | Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 29) |
May 27, 2014 | IL | SB 16 | Amends Formula for School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | HJR 1092 | Authorizes School Districts To Issue Bonds For Improvements in Building Safety | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 25) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8) |
May 22, 2014 | OK | HJR 1092 | Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 39) |
May 22, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 34) |
May 22, 2014 | OK | HJR 1092 | Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety | Conference Report Rejected - House (34 - 61) |
May 22, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9) |
May 22, 2014 | NH | SB 120 | Requires Certain Political Organizations to Disclose Individual Contributors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
May 22, 2014 | National | HR 3361 | USA FREEDOM Act | Bill Passed - House (303 - 121) |
May 22, 2014 | MI | HB 5575 | Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration | Bill Passed - House (75 - 35) |
May 22, 2014 | IL | SJRCA 75 | Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
May 16, 2014 | MO | HJR 72 | Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4) |
May 16, 2014 | MO | HJR 72 | Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4) |
May 16, 2014 | MO | HJR 72 | Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4) |
May 15, 2014 | MN | HF 3169 | Establishes a Legislative Salary Council | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 62) |
May 15, 2014 | MN | HF 3169 | Establishes a Legislative Salary Council | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 62) |
May 15, 2014 | IL | HB 4075 | Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 8) |
May 14, 2014 | MO | HJR 90 | Authorizes Early Voting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 57) |