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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 11, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
Jan. 15, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
Jan. 15, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
March 11, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
Jan. 14, 2009 FL SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Jan. 14, 2009 FL SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
Jan. 21, 2009 MT SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2009 MT HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Jan. 22, 2009 MS HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
Jan. 26, 2009 MT SB 131 Wildland-Urban Interface Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2009 GA SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
Feb. 11, 2009 GA SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 21, 2009 MT SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 21, 2009 MT SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 20, 2009 MT HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2009 MT HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
March 2, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
March 2, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
March 5, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
March 5, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
March 5, 2009 ID S 1119 Allowing Public Utility Assistance Programs Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
March 25, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
March 25, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
March 19, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
March 19, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
March 20, 2009 KS HB 2295 Dairy Labeling Requirements Bill Passed - House (75 - 44)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
May 1, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
March 27, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
March 25, 2009 PA SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 1, 2009 MD SB 844 Public Service Commission Regulation of New Electric Generation Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
April 7, 2009 ID H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
April 29, 2009 National S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
April 29, 2009 National S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
April 29, 2009 CT HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 6, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 8, 2009 KS HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
May 8, 2009 KS HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 23, 2009 CA SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 8, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
May 8, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 1, 2009 CA SB 435 Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
June 2, 2009 CA SB 250 Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 8, 2009 NY A 1867 Amending Labor Laws for Farm Workers Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
June 9, 2009 National HR 2751 Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act Bill Passed - House (298 - 119)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 1, 2009 CA AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
June 1, 2009 CA AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
June 26, 2009 National HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
June 26, 2009 National HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
June 18, 2009 NC SB 1018 Reducing the Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (78 - 41)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/11 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
1/15 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
1/15 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
3/11 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
1/14 SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
1/14 SB 2-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
1/21 SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/20 HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
1/22 HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
1/26 SB 131 Wildland-Urban Interface Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/02 SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/26 SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
2/11 SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/21 SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/21 SB 387 Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/20 HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/25 HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
3/02 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
3/02 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
3/05 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
3/05 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/27 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
2/27 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
3/05 S 1119 Allowing Public Utility Assistance Programs Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
3/25 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
3/25 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
3/19 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
3/19 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
3/20 HB 2295 Dairy Labeling Requirements Bill Passed - House (75 - 44)
3/09 HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
5/01 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
3/27 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
3/25 SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/01 SB 844 Public Service Commission Regulation of New Electric Generation Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
4/07 H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/22 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/04 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
4/29 S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
4/29 S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
4/29 HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/06 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/08 HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
5/08 HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/23 SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/08 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
5/08 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
5/08 HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/01 SB 435 Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
6/02 SB 250 Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/08 A 1867 Amending Labor Laws for Farm Workers Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
6/09 HR 2751 Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act Bill Passed - House (298 - 119)
6/02 HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
6/02 HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
6/22 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/22 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/22 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/12 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/12 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/12 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/01 AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
6/01 AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
6/26 HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
6/26 HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
6/18 SB 1018 Reducing the Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (78 - 41)

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