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. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
Jan. 13, 2014 | National | HR 3811 | Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (291 - 122) |
Jan. 9, 2014 | National | HR 2279 | Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (225 - 188) |
Jan. 16, 2014 | National | HR 3362 | Exchange Information Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - House (259 - 154) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | ME | LD 1254 | Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
Jan. 14, 2014 | ME | LD 1254 | Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | National | HR 7 | No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 188) |
Jan. 21, 2014 | AL | HB 31 | Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
Jan. 8, 2014 | NH | HB 544 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (182 - 154) |
March 6, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - House (69 - 23) |
Jan. 23, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17) |
March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (71 - 22) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | MD | SB 134 | Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan | Bill Passed - House (94 - 42) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | MD | SB 134 | Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan | Bill Passed - House (94 - 42) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | WA | HB 2148 | Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1430 | Authorizes Health Care Providers to Opt Out of Certain Medical Procedures | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
March 3, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - House (71 - 15) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | MS | SB 2563 | Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HB 1143 | Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | MD | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | KY | SB 119 | Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 707 | Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion | Bill Passed - House (115 - 59) |
Feb. 25, 2014 | OK | HB 2070 | Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Bill Passed - House (73 - 14) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | AL | SB 168 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | SB 98 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 990 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval | Bill Passed - House (118 - 57) |
Feb. 17, 2014 | GA | SB 318 | Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends | Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 772 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
April 9, 2014 | AZ | HB 2284 | Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
March 4, 2014 | AZ | HB 2284 | Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
March 5, 2014 | MO | HB 1173 | Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (94 - 61) |
March 5, 2014 | National | HR 4118 | Suspending the Individual Mandate Penalty Law Equals (SIMPLE) Fairness Act | Bill Passed - House (250 - 160) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3189 | Water Rights Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 174) |
April 17, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
March 6, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
March 7, 2014 | OR | SB 1582 | Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to Continue to Cover Pre-Existing Conditions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
March 5, 2014 | OR | SB 1582 | Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to Continue to Cover Pre-Existing Conditions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Feb. 25, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
March 5, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
March 4, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Passed - House (36 - 33) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | OH | SCR 25 | Encourages State Agencies to Stop Using the LEED Green Building Rating System | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16) |
March 13, 2014 | TN | SJR 626 | Authorizes Individuals Paying School Fees to Determine Allocation of Fees to Student Organizations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
Jan. 23, 2014 | SC | SB 308 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18) |
March 5, 2014 | OK | SB 1219 | Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
March 5, 2014 | OK | SB 1219 | Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
March 14, 2014 | National | HR 4015 | SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (238 - 181) |
April 23, 2014 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Student Immunization Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
March 24, 2014 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Student Immunization Laws | Bill Passed - House (42 - 19) |
Jan. 15, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (170 - 162) |
March 18, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
March 12, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
March 24, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
March 21, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 19) |
March 10, 2014 | KY | HB 310 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | OK | HB 2418 | Requires Abortion Providers to Have Privileges at Nearby Hospital | Bill Passed - House (73 - 9) |
April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
March 14, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
March 13, 2014 | OK | SB 1495 | Establishes a Pilot Managed Care System under Medicaid | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
March 8, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Refuse to Dispense Pseudophedrine without a Prescription | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
March 8, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Refuse to Dispense Pseudophedrine without a Prescription | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
Feb. 16, 2014 | NM | SB 263 | Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
March 12, 2014 | KS | SB 362 | Requires Registration for Health Insurance Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | NM | SB 347 | Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
March 31, 2014 | National | HR 4302 | Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
March 26, 2014 | National | HR 1459 | Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 201) |
March 25, 2014 | NH | SB 413 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (202 - 132) |
March 6, 2014 | NH | SB 413 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
March 19, 2014 | NE | LB 887 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 329 | Repeals the Prohibition on Alcoholic Beverage Billboard Advertisements | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | KS | SB 311 | Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
April 1, 2014 | MD | SB 336 | Establishes Certain Areas as State Wildlands | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2552 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
April 4, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
March 24, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
April 10, 2014 | NE | LB 690 | Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 12) |
March 31, 2014 | NE | LB 690 | Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |