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
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
Feb. 22, 2011 KS HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
March 15, 2011 AZ SCR 1035 English as the Official Language Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
Dec. 15, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
Dec. 15, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
Dec. 15, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
Oct. 4, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
June 2, 2011 AL HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
Dec. 17, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 32)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
Sept. 26, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
June 2, 2011 AL HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29)
Dec. 16, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
Feb. 17, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
Sept. 23, 2011 National HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
April 19, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 9, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
April 11, 2011 AZ HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
June 19, 2011 LA HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
May 24, 2011 CT HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
Jan. 27, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
May 25, 2011 SC S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
March 9, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 4, 2011 UT HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 22)
May 12, 2011 CT HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Feb. 14, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
May 17, 2011 TX SB 420 Eligibility for Indigent Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 10, 2011 GA SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 33)
Sept. 23, 2011 National S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
May 23, 2011 National S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
Sept. 22, 2011 National S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Sept. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 602 Emergency Disaster Relief Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 16, 2011 National H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
June 13, 2011 National H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
April 6, 2011 AZ HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Jan. 18, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2011 ND HB 1327 Authority to Declare Evacuations During Local Disasters and Emergencies Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Feb. 18, 2011 UT HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2011 UT HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 3, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
March 4, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 4, 2011 UT HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
March 8, 2011 AZ SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 10, 2011 MO HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
March 10, 2011 SC S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
March 14, 2011 OK SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
March 14, 2011 GA SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)
March 22, 2011 CO HB 1140 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
March 29, 2011 National HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
March 29, 2011 OR SB 742 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 3, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
April 5, 2011 AL HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (73 - 28)
April 7, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
April 18, 2011 CO SB 126 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 21, 2011 AL SB 256 Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate
May 4, 2011 IL SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
May 5, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
May 10, 2011 TX HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
June 1, 2011 CA AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Sept. 9, 2011 MO HB 6 Appropriations for Missouri Disaster Relief Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1619 Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 35)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1619 Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
2/22 HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
3/15 SCR 1035 English as the Official Language Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
12/15 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
12/15 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
12/15 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
4/11 SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
10/04 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
4/11 SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
6/02 HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
12/17 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 32)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
4/14 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
9/26 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
6/02 HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29)
12/16 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
2/17 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
4/14 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
9/23 HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
4/19 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/09 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
4/11 HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 23)
6/19 HB 342 Requires Certain Employers to Use E-Verify Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/15 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
4/18 SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
5/24 HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/02 H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
4/18 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
1/27 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
5/25 S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
3/09 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/04 HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
10/12 HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 22)
5/12 HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
2/14 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
5/17 SB 420 Eligibility for Indigent Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
10/12 HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
9/06 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
7/14 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/10 SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
5/30 SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
10/12 HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 33)
9/23 S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
5/23 S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
9/22 S Amdt 633 Extends Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 28)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
9/15 S Amdt 602 Emergency Disaster Relief Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/16 H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
6/13 H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
4/06 HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
1/18 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
2/08 HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/08 HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/10 HB 1327 Authority to Declare Evacuations During Local Disasters and Emergencies Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
2/18 HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/22 HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/23 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/23 HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
2/24 HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
2/28 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/03 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
3/04 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/04 HB 497 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
3/08 SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/10 HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
3/10 S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
3/14 SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
3/14 SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)
3/22 HB 1140 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
3/29 SB 742 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/03 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
4/05 HB 56 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (73 - 28)
4/07 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
4/18 SB 126 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/21 SB 256 Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate
5/04 SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
5/05 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
5/10 HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
6/01 AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/15 SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
9/09 HB 6 Appropriations for Missouri Disaster Relief Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
10/11 S 1619 Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 35)
10/11 S 1619 Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 35)

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