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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nov. 29, 2011 | NC | HB 645 | Temporary Fuel Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (94 - 23) |
Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
Nov. 9, 2011 | IL | SB 965 | Authorizing Speed Cameras in Certain Cities | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
Nov. 2, 2011 | MI | SB 291 | Repeals Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | AB 1424 | Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
Sept. 2, 2011 | CA | AB 353 | DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12) |
July 20, 2011 | National | HR 2553 | Airport and Airway Extension Act | Bill Passed - House (243 - 177) |
June 30, 2011 | DE | HB 95 | Motorcycle Helmet Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 11) |
June 29, 2011 | TX | SB 29 | Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials | Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26) |
June 9, 2011 | LA | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Failed - House (33 - 55) |
June 2, 2011 | National | H Amdt 406 | Transportation Security Administration Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204) |
June 2, 2011 | National | H Amdt 398 | Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205) |
May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 1652 | Smart Grid Technology | Bill Passed - House (67 - 47) |
May 30, 2011 | NV | SB 140 | Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
May 29, 2011 | TX | HB 242 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61) |
May 28, 2011 | IL | HB 1091 | Public-Private Transportation Partnership | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 40) |
May 16, 2011 | CA | AB 144 | Concealed Weapons Bill | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
May 6, 2011 | UT | SB 229 | Transportation Funding Revisions | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18) |
May 5, 2011 | NC | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
May 4, 2011 | LA | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
April 27, 2011 | NH | SB 78 | Gas Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (208 - 98) |
April 25, 2011 | LA | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | |
April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
April 15, 2011 | IN | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
April 15, 2011 | WA | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44) |
April 5, 2011 | IN | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
April 4, 2011 | NY | A 4578 | Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
April 1, 2011 | National | H Amdt 232 | Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities | Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209) |
April 1, 2011 | National | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
March 30, 2011 | GA | SB 122 | Public-Private Partnerships to Build Reservoirs | Bill Passed - House (92 - 68) |
March 27, 2011 | MS | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27) |
March 23, 2011 | AR | HB 2007 | Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only | Bill Failed - House (49 - 37) |
March 17, 2011 | NH | HB 218 | Repealing the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority | Bill Passed - House (190 - 119) |
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) |
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) |
March 5, 2011 | WA | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
March 4, 2011 | NM | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
March 3, 2011 | NJ | A 2215 | Loans for Development of Green Buildings | Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 32) |
March 3, 2011 | UT | SB 124 | Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
March 1, 2011 | GA | HB 279 | Increased Age Requirement for Child Restraints | Bill Passed - House (129 - 43) |
Feb. 25, 2011 | UT | HB 155 | Cycling Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (39 - 33) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | SB 1367 | Motor Vehicle Title Loans for Non-Residents | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Feb. 15, 2011 | AR | SB 154 | Cell Phones in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (52 - 41) |
Feb. 10, 2011 | ND | HB 1278 | Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
Feb. 9, 2011 | ND | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (56 - 37) |
Feb. 9, 2011 | GA | HB 72 | Establish an English-Only Driving Test | Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50) |
Feb. 9, 2011 | WY | HB 207 | Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | ND | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Failed - House (47 - 44) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | ND | HB 1195 | Bans Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (50 - 41) |
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) |
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 | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
11/29 | HB 645 | Temporary Fuel Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (94 - 23) |
11/17 | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
11/09 | SB 965 | Authorizing Speed Cameras in Certain Cities | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
11/02 | SB 291 | Repeals Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
9/09 | AB 1424 | Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
9/02 | AB 353 | DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12) |
7/20 | HR 2553 | Airport and Airway Extension Act | Bill Passed - House (243 - 177) |
6/30 | HB 95 | Motorcycle Helmet Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 11) |
6/29 | SB 29 | Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials | Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26) |
6/09 | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Failed - House (33 - 55) |
6/02 | H Amdt 406 | Transportation Security Administration Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204) |
6/02 | H Amdt 398 | Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205) |
5/30 | SB 1652 | Smart Grid Technology | Bill Passed - House (67 - 47) |
5/30 | SB 140 | Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
5/29 | HB 242 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61) |
5/28 | HB 1091 | Public-Private Transportation Partnership | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 40) |
5/16 | AB 144 | Concealed Weapons Bill | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
5/06 | SB 229 | Transportation Funding Revisions | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18) |
5/05 | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
5/04 | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
4/27 | SB 78 | Gas Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (208 - 98) |
4/25 | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | |
4/18 | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
4/15 | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
4/15 | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44) |
4/05 | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
4/04 | A 4578 | Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
4/01 | H Amdt 232 | Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities | Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209) |
4/01 | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
3/30 | SB 122 | Public-Private Partnerships to Build Reservoirs | Bill Passed - House (92 - 68) |
3/27 | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27) |
3/23 | HB 2007 | Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only | Bill Failed - House (49 - 37) |
3/17 | HB 218 | Repealing the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority | Bill Passed - House (190 - 119) |
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) |
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) |
3/05 | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
3/04 | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
3/03 | A 2215 | Loans for Development of Green Buildings | Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 32) |
3/03 | SB 124 | Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
3/01 | HB 279 | Increased Age Requirement for Child Restraints | Bill Passed - House (129 - 43) |
2/25 | HB 155 | Cycling Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (39 - 33) |
2/21 | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68) |
2/21 | SB 1367 | Motor Vehicle Title Loans for Non-Residents | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
2/17 | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
2/15 | SB 154 | Cell Phones in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (52 - 41) |
2/10 | HB 1278 | Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
2/09 | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (56 - 37) |
2/09 | HB 72 | Establish an English-Only Driving Test | Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50) |
2/09 | HB 207 | Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
2/08 | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Failed - House (47 - 44) |
2/08 | HB 1195 | Bans Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (50 - 41) |
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) |
1/26 | HB 29 | Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
1/10 | S 2381 | Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |