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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 6, 2014 | National | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
July 16, 2014 | National | S 2578 | Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
April 7, 2014 | LA | S Amdt 2081 | Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29) |
April 7, 2014 | LA | S Amdt 2081 | Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 5, 2014 | CA | SB 1038 | Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 1130 | Amends Public Health Code to Include Hepatitis C Virus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | MI | SB 1156 | Prohibits Actions that Coerce a Woman to Get an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | SB 1158 | Amends Fireworks Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
April 15, 2014 | AZ | SB 1158 | Amends Fireworks Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 17) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1159 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to Receive Professional Licenses | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
March 5, 2014 | OK | SB 1219 | Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
April 9, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
April 9, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | TN | SB 1496 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38) |
April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6) |
March 27, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities | Bill Passed - House (96 - 42) |
March 10, 2014 | SD | SB 180 | Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment | Bill Failed - House (26 - 44) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | SD | SB 180 | Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
May 23, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8) |
May 22, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9) |
April 24, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (75 - 15) |
March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
March 24, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
March 27, 2014 | MD | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (82 - 57) |
March 4, 2014 | MD | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
July 1, 2014 | DE | SB 220 | Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief | Bill Passed - House (27 - 10) |
June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 220 | Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | VA | SB 236 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
Jan. 21, 2014 | VA | SB 236 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
March 10, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | MS | SB 2563 | Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
Jan. 23, 2014 | SC | SB 308 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18) |
Feb. 17, 2014 | GA | SB 318 | Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends | Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20) |
Feb. 12, 2014 | MI | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Bill Passed - House (62 - 48) |
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) |
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) |
Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
June 26, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Adopted - House (29 - 12) |
June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Rejected - House (24 - 15) |
April 30, 2014 | NH | SB 366 | Authorizes Casino Gaming | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (173 - 172) |
March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 366 | Authorizes Casino Gaming | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | CA | SB 383 | Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Sept. 15, 2014 | NH | SB 391 | Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 404 | Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 404 | Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23) |
April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
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) |
March 6, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
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) |
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) |
Jan. 23, 2014 | IN | SB 50 | Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
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) |
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. 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) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | MO | SB 613 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | MO | SB 613 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | WA | SB 6523 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
Jan. 31, 2014 | WA | SB 6523 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |