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. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
Nov. 19, 2014 | National | HR 4012 | Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 190) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | HR 1422 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 191) |
Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2270 | Authorizes Certain Terminally Ill Individuals to Use Life-Ending Medication | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2811 | Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
Sept. 11, 2014 | National | HR 3522 | Employee Health Care Protection Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (247 - 167) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
Sept. 9, 2014 | National | HR 5078 | Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (262 - 152) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
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 | Bill Passed - House (47 - 27) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
Aug. 25, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Failed - House (38 - 33) |
Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 2198 | Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 13) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
July 25, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
July 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1040 | Prohibits Implementation of Certain Climate Assessments | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 188) |
July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - House (144 - 59) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (117 - 13) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | S 6617B | Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects | Bill Passed - House (119 - 16) |
June 18, 2014 | NY | A 8769A | Prohibits Workplace Discrimination Based on Reproductive Health Decisions | Bill Passed - House (106 - 30) |
June 18, 2014 | RI | H 7904 | Establishes a Climate Change Coordinating Council | Bill Passed - House (62 - 6) |
May 28, 2014 | IL | SB 741 | Expands Medicaid Services | Bill Passed - House (75 - 37) |
May 28, 2014 | IL | SB 741 | Expands Medicaid Services | Bill Passed - House (75 - 37) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8) |
May 23, 2014 | CA | AB 1699 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Microplastics | Bill Passed - House (47 - 13) |
May 21, 2014 | LA | HB 388 | Requires Abortion Providers to Have Hospital Admitting Privileges | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 5) |
May 19, 2014 | CA | AB 2198 | Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals | Bill Passed - House (47 - 11) |
May 7, 2014 | NH | SB 329 | Repeals the Prohibition on Alcoholic Beverages Billboard Advertisements | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (193 - 164) |
April 30, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
April 30, 2014 | SC | H 3435 | Amends Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
April 28, 2014 | CT | SB 36 | Authorizes Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses to Independently Perform Medical Duties | Bill Passed - House (110 - 35) |
April 24, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (75 - 15) |
April 24, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (75 - 15) |
April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
April 17, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22) |
April 17, 2014 | ME | LD 1578 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (94 - 51) |
April 17, 2014 | ME | LD 1578 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (94 - 51) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2508 | Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21) |
April 15, 2014 | KY | SB 5 | Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers | Bill Failed - House (42 - 51) |
April 15, 2014 | KY | SB 5 | Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers | Bill Failed - House (42 - 51) |
April 15, 2014 | KY | SB 5 | Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers | Bill Failed - House (42 - 51) |
April 13, 2014 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Bill Passed - House (23 - 17) |
April 11, 2014 | AK | HB 309 | Authorizes Distilleries to Sell Alcohol Directly to Individuals | Bill Passed - House (29 - 5) |
April 9, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
April 9, 2014 | OH | HB 369 | Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 20) |
April 9, 2014 | OH | HB 369 | Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 20) |
April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
April 4, 2014 | KS | HB 2552 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | (68 - 54) |
April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
April 2, 2014 | SC | H 4803 | Authorizes Individuals with Epilepsy to Use Oil Derived from Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (90 - 24) |
April 1, 2014 | MD | SB 336 | Establishes Certain Areas as State Wildlands | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
March 26, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (192 - 140) |
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 24, 2014 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Student Immunization Laws | Bill Passed - House (42 - 19) |
March 24, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
March 21, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 19) |
March 18, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
March 14, 2014 | National | HR 4015 | SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (238 - 181) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17) |
March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3189 | Water Rights Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 174) |
March 10, 2014 | KY | HB 310 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
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) |
March 7, 2014 | OR | SB 1582 | Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to Continue to Cover Pre-Existing Conditions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
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 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 6, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
March 5, 2014 | National | HR 4118 | Suspending the Individual Mandate Penalty Law Equals (SIMPLE) Fairness Act | Bill Passed - House (250 - 160) |
March 5, 2014 | MO | HB 1173 | Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (94 - 61) |
March 4, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (76 - 24) |
March 4, 2014 | AZ | HCR 2005 | Authorizes a Manufacturer to Provide Investigational Treatments to Eligible Patients | Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 23) |
March 4, 2014 | AZ | HB 2284 | Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 707 | Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion | Bill Passed - House (115 - 59) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 772 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 990 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval | Bill Passed - House (118 - 57) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - House (69 - 23) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | OK | HB 2418 | Requires Abortion Providers to Have Privileges at Nearby Hospital | Bill Passed - House (73 - 9) |
Feb. 25, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
Feb. 25, 2014 | OK | HB 2070 | Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Bill Passed - House (73 - 14) |
Feb. 24, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - House (69 - 24) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - House (71 - 15) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | OK | HB 1020 | Authorizes Physical Therapists to Treat Patients Without Physician Referral | Bill Passed - House (68 - 21) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1430 | Authorizes Health Care Providers to Opt Out of Certain Medical Procedures | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
Feb. 10, 2014 | SD | HB 1158 | Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Passed - House (36 - 33) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | WA | HB 2148 | Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
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) |