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
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 14, 2011 AZ SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 17, 2011 AZ SB 1611 Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19)
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 31, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 29, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 2, 2011 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
May 16, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 25, 2011 CT SB 913 Requires Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 23, 2011 DE HB 100 Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5)
March 14, 2011 GA SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)
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. 22, 2011 ID S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities 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. 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)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
Jan. 10, 2011 IL SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
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)
April 19, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 13, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
Feb. 17, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 30, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
June 19, 2011 LA HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 25, 2011 LA SB 6 Teacher Retirement Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
April 26, 2011 MA Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
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)
Nov. 2, 2011 MI HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
Dec. 8, 2011 MI HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45)
June 30, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 30, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Dec. 7, 2011 MI HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 18, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 18, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 3, 2011 MO HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)
April 20, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
Feb. 24, 2011 MT HB 334 Workers Compensation Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
March 23, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
Sept. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 625 Reducing and Extending Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
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)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
Sept. 21, 2011 National S Amdt 642 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 22, 2011 National S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
Nov. 10, 2011 National S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
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)
April 14, 2011 NC SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
July 13, 2011 NC SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
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 28, 2011 NC SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
April 28, 2011 NC HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
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)
Nov. 30, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139)
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)
April 20, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
May 18, 2011 NH SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
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)
Jan. 19, 2011 NH SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
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)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
4/18 SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/14 SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/17 SB 1611 Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19)
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)
3/31 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/08 SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/01 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/09 AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/09 SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
9/06 SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
9/08 SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
9/08 AB 101 Allows Family Child Care Providers to Organize Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/29 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
9/06 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/02 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
5/16 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/25 SB 913 Requires Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/23 HB 100 Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5)
3/14 SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)
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)
2/22 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities 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)
2/04 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
5/31 HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
1/10 SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
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)
4/19 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/13 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
2/17 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/30 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/24 HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
6/19 HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/25 SB 6 Teacher Retirement Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
4/26 Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
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)
11/02 HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
12/08 HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45)
6/30 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/30 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
12/07 HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/18 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/18 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/03 HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)
4/20 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
2/24 HB 334 Workers Compensation Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
3/23 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
10/11 S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
11/03 H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
9/21 S Amdt 625 Reducing and Extending Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
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)
12/01 S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
9/21 S Amdt 642 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
12/01 S 1917 Extends Payroll Tax Cut and Establishes Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
9/22 S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
11/10 S Amdt 928 American Jobs and Economic Growth Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 56)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
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)
4/14 SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
7/13 SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
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)
3/28 SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
4/28 HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
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)
11/30 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139)
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)
4/20 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
5/18 SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
2/15 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
3/30 HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
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)
1/19 SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
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)
3/13 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
3/15 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)

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