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
April 11, 2011 NY A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 9, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
March 10, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 25, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 11, 2011 NV AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
April 18, 2011 NV AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
June 2, 2011 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
April 26, 2011 MA Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 29, 2011 SC H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
Nov. 17, 2011 RI H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Nov. 17, 2011 RI H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
Feb. 16, 2011 OH HB 1 Establishes JobsOhio Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2011 OH HB 1 Establishes JobsOhio Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
June 23, 2011 DE HB 100 Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
April 29, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
April 29, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
March 30, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 18, 2011 ND HB 1228 Retirement Plans for State Employees Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
Feb. 18, 2011 ND HB 1258 Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
April 20, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
March 23, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
April 19, 2011 OK HB 1593 Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 16, 2011 OK HB 1593 Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
March 9, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28)
March 8, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
June 22, 2011 NH HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
June 22, 2011 NH HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
April 11, 2011 MD HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Motion Agreed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 26, 2011 MD HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
May 7, 2011 UT HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
May 6, 2011 UT HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2011 MT HB 334 Workers Compensation Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
June 19, 2011 LA HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Nov. 15, 2011 PA HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 30, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139)
April 20, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
Dec. 8, 2011 MI HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45)
Dec. 7, 2011 MI HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Nov. 2, 2011 MI HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
April 28, 2011 NC HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
May 19, 2011 NC HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24)
May 18, 2011 NC HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
March 3, 2011 MO HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)
March 13, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
March 15, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Sept. 15, 2011 National HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
Nov. 30, 2011 National HR 3094 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
April 1, 2011 National HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
Feb. 22, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2011 ID S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
Feb. 4, 2011 ID S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
June 23, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
June 20, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Sept. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 625 Reducing and Extending Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 22, 2011 National S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
Sept. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 641 Requires Extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance to be Contingent Upon Ratification of Free Trade Agreements with Columbia, Korea and Panama Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Sept. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 642 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
Nov. 10, 2011 National S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
Jan. 19, 2011 NH SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
March 31, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 16, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 2, 2011 TN SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
May 18, 2011 NH SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - House (259 - 100)
March 30, 2011 NH SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
March 14, 2011 AZ SB 1345 Limits Number and Compensation of Municipal Employees Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 16)
March 8, 2011 AZ SB 1363 Labor Organization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 24, 2011 TN SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
March 10, 2011 TN SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
9/09 AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/08 AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/09 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
3/10 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
2/25 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
9/06 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/11 AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/18 AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
6/02 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
4/26 Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/29 H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
11/17 H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
11/17 H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
11/03 H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
2/16 HB 1 Establishes JobsOhio Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/16 HB 1 Establishes JobsOhio Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
6/23 HB 100 Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
2/23 HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
4/29 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
4/29 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
3/30 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/18 HB 1228 Retirement Plans for State Employees Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
2/18 HB 1258 Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
4/20 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
3/23 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
4/19 HB 1593 Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/16 HB 1593 Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
5/31 HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
3/09 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28)
3/08 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
2/23 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
6/22 HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
6/22 HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
2/24 HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
4/11 HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Motion Agreed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/26 HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
2/22 HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
3/02 HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
5/07 HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
5/06 HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
2/24 HB 334 Workers Compensation Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
6/19 HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
11/15 HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/30 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139)
4/20 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
2/15 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
12/08 HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45)
12/07 HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
11/02 HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
4/28 HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
5/19 HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24)
5/18 HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/30 HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
3/03 HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)
3/13 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
3/15 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
9/15 HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
11/30 HR 3094 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
4/01 HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
2/22 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/22 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/01 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/01 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/22 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
2/04 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
10/11 S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
12/01 S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
12/01 S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
6/23 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
6/20 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
9/21 S Amdt 625 Reducing and Extending Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/22 S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
9/21 S Amdt 641 Requires Extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance to be Contingent Upon Ratification of Free Trade Agreements with Columbia, Korea and Panama Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
9/21 S Amdt 642 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
11/10 S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
1/19 SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
3/31 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/16 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/20 SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40)
5/20 SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/02 SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
5/18 SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - House (259 - 100)
3/30 SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
3/14 SB 1345 Limits Number and Compensation of Municipal Employees Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 16)
3/08 SB 1363 Labor Organization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/24 SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
3/10 SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/23 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)

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