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
Dec. 2, 2010 National H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 23, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Sept. 23, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 20, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
Sept. 8, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Aug. 25, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Aug. 5, 2010 National PN 1768 Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
July 27, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 15, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
July 14, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
July 13, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
July 12, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 9, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17)
July 9, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
July 8, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
July 2, 2010 PA HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
July 1, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
June 30, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 15)
June 30, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
June 29, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
June 29, 2010 PA SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
June 23, 2010 PA HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 21, 2010 LA SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
June 21, 2010 CT HB 5455 Changes to State Transportation Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 21, 2010 NJ SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 21, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 16, 2010 NY S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 16, 2010 MI SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
June 9, 2010 NH SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 NH SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (177 - 167)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/02 H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
11/30 S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/23 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
9/23 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
9/20 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
9/08 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/25 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
8/25 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
8/23 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
8/05 PN 1768 Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
8/03 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
7/27 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/15 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
7/14 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
7/13 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
7/12 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
7/10 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
7/10 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/09 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17)
7/09 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
7/08 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
7/08 HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
7/08 HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
7/02 HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
7/01 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
6/30 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 15)
6/30 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)
6/30 HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
6/30 HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
6/29 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
6/29 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
6/29 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
6/29 SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/28 S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/28 S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
6/28 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
6/28 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
6/23 HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
6/22 HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
6/22 HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/21 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/21 SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
6/21 HB 5455 Changes to State Transportation Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/21 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/21 SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/21 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
6/20 HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
6/20 HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/18 SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
6/18 HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
6/18 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/16 S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/16 SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/09 Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
6/09 SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (177 - 167)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)

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