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
Jan. 24, 2011 WY SF 51 Seat Belt Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Jan. 31, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
Feb. 28, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Jan. 10, 2011 NJ S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Jan. 10, 2011 NJ S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2011 MT SB 104 Limitations on Electricity Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 28, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
March 28, 2011 ND HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA SB 1351 Wireless Telecommunication Devices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 10, 2011 NM SB 124 Safeguarding Bicyclists Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2011 GA HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
Feb. 10, 2011 ND HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 17, 2011 NJ S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 21, 2011 VA SB 1367 Motor Vehicle Title Loans for Non-Residents Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
March 3, 2011 NJ A 2215 Loans for Development of Green Buildings Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 32)
March 1, 2011 GA HB 279 Increased Age Requirement for Child Restraints Bill Passed - House (129 - 43)
March 3, 2011 UT SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 3, 2011 UT HB 155 Cycling Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2011 UT HB 155 Cycling Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 33)
March 9, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
March 4, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 10, 2011 MO HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
March 7, 2011 UT 1SHB 89 Protection of Children from Second Hand Smoke in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
April 19, 2011 AZ SB 1402 Special License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1402 Special License Plates Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 8, 2011 AZ SB 1402 Special License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 10, 2011 GA SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
March 10, 2011 GA SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Not Tabled - Senate (20 - 34)
March 15, 2011 AZ SB 1538 Cell Phone Usage While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 23, 2011 AR HB 2007 Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only Bill Failed - House (49 - 37)
March 24, 2011 AR HB 1902 Highway Financing Act 0f 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
March 30, 2011 GA SB 122 Public-Private Partnerships to Build Reservoirs Bill Passed - House (92 - 68)
April 1, 2011 National HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
April 1, 2011 National H Amdt 232 Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209)
May 6, 2011 UT SB 229 Transportation Funding Revisions Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
May 6, 2011 UT SB 229 Transportation Funding Revisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
April 9, 2011 WA HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
April 15, 2011 WA HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44)
March 5, 2011 WA HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
March 17, 2011 NH HB 218 Repealing the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority Bill Passed - House (190 - 119)
April 15, 2011 IN SB 473 Toll Way Projects Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
April 5, 2011 IN SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
Jan. 25, 2011 IN SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 16, 2011 WA SB 5407 Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 25, 2011 CA SB 28 Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 27, 2011 NH SB 78 Gas Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (208 - 98)
March 29, 2011 WA SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 4, 2011 NY A 4578 Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
May 5, 2011 NC HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
May 3, 2011 NC HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
May 16, 2011 CA AB 144 Concealed Weapons Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
Feb. 21, 2011 VA HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
May 17, 2011 NE LB 421 Park Entry Permit Fees Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
May 25, 2011 TX S Amdt 3 Prohibits Texting While Driving Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 30, 2011 NV SB 140 Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
March 14, 2011 NJ A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
March 14, 2011 NJ A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
June 21, 2011 National S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
April 25, 2011 LA HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving
June 9, 2011 LA HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Failed - House (33 - 55)
May 29, 2011 TX HB 242 Prohibits Texting While Driving Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61)
June 15, 2011 NY S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 27, 2011 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 29, 2011 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
July 20, 2011 National HR 2553 Airport and Airway Extension Act Bill Passed - House (243 - 177)
June 24, 2011 NY A 8496 Increases The Number Of Taxicabs Serving New York Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
May 20, 2011 IL HB 1091 Public-Private Transportation Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
May 28, 2011 IL HB 1091 Public-Private Transportation Partnership Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 40)
June 30, 2011 DE HB 95 Motorcycle Helmet Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 11)
June 23, 2011 DE HB 95 Motorcycle Helmet Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
May 4, 2011 LA HB 52 Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs Bill Failed - House (49 - 22)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Oct. 11, 2011 National S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA AB 1424 Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
Sept. 7, 2011 CA AB 1424 Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Oct. 25, 2011 PA SB 595 Authorizes the Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Nov. 3, 2011 National S 1769 Transportation Infrastructure Appropriations and Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/24 SF 51 Seat Belt Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/16 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
1/31 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
2/28 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
1/26 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
1/10 S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
1/10 S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
2/15 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
1/28 SB 104 Limitations on Electricity Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/28 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/09 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/08 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
3/28 HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/08 HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
2/08 SB 1351 Wireless Telecommunication Devices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/10 SB 124 Safeguarding Bicyclists Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/09 HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
2/10 HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/15 S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
2/09 HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/17 S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/21 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
2/17 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/21 SB 1367 Motor Vehicle Title Loans for Non-Residents Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
3/03 A 2215 Loans for Development of Green Buildings Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 32)
3/01 HB 279 Increased Age Requirement for Child Restraints Bill Passed - House (129 - 43)
3/03 SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
2/10 SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/03 HB 155 Cycling Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
2/25 HB 155 Cycling Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 33)
3/09 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
3/04 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/10 HB 167 Driver License Examinations Administered in English Only Bill Passed - House (102 - 56)
3/07 1SHB 89 Protection of Children from Second Hand Smoke in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
4/19 SB 1402 Special License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/18 SB 1402 Special License Plates Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/08 SB 1402 Special License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/10 SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
3/10 SB 162 DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Not Tabled - Senate (20 - 34)
3/15 SB 1538 Cell Phone Usage While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/23 HB 2007 Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only Bill Failed - House (49 - 37)
3/24 HB 1902 Highway Financing Act 0f 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
3/30 SB 122 Public-Private Partnerships to Build Reservoirs Bill Passed - House (92 - 68)
4/01 HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
4/01 H Amdt 232 Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209)
5/06 SB 229 Transportation Funding Revisions Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
5/06 SB 229 Transportation Funding Revisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
4/09 HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/15 HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44)
3/05 HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
3/17 HB 218 Repealing the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority Bill Passed - House (190 - 119)
4/15 SB 473 Toll Way Projects Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
4/05 SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
1/25 SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/16 SB 5407 Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/25 SB 28 Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/27 SB 78 Gas Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (208 - 98)
3/29 SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/04 A 4578 Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
5/05 HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
5/03 HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
5/16 AB 144 Concealed Weapons Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
2/21 HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68)
2/17 HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
5/17 LB 421 Park Entry Permit Fees Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
5/25 S Amdt 3 Prohibits Texting While Driving Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/30 SB 140 Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
6/02 H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
3/14 A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
3/14 A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
6/21 S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
4/25 HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving
6/09 HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Failed - House (33 - 55)
5/29 HB 242 Prohibits Texting While Driving Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61)
6/15 S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/27 SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/29 SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
7/20 HR 2553 Airport and Airway Extension Act Bill Passed - House (243 - 177)
6/24 A 8496 Increases The Number Of Taxicabs Serving New York Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
5/20 HB 1091 Public-Private Transportation Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
5/28 HB 1091 Public-Private Transportation Partnership Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 40)
6/30 HB 95 Motorcycle Helmet Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 11)
6/23 HB 95 Motorcycle Helmet Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
5/04 HB 52 Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs Bill Failed - House (49 - 22)
9/02 AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
8/30 AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
10/11 S 1660 American Jobs Act of 2011 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
5/31 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
5/30 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
9/09 AB 1424 Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
9/07 AB 1424 Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
10/25 SB 595 Authorizes the Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
11/03 S 1769 Transportation Infrastructure Appropriations and Tax on Income Over $1 Million Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 49)

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