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
July 2, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
July 2, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
June 21, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
Aug. 15, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
June 21, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49)
Feb. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
June 6, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
Aug. 15, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 8, 2012 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 24, 2012 IL SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
June 30, 2012 PA HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91)
June 29, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
March 26, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
July 6, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26)
June 5, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
May 24, 2012 OK SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
March 19, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
May 7, 2012 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
July 5, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
March 26, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
May 24, 2012 IL SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (94 - 22)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 14, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
April 10, 2012 HI SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
May 7, 2012 KS SB 313 Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (88 - 31)
June 5, 2012 MA S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
June 28, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
June 29, 2012 PA HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
Feb. 15, 2012 MS HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Sept. 22, 2012 National H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
March 15, 2012 NY S 6735 Amends the Public Employee Retirement System Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 16, 2012 MD SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - House (86 - 51)
Feb. 3, 2012 National HR 3578 Amends Budget Baseline Bill Passed - House (235 - 177)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 2621 Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
March 21, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
Feb. 29, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 10, 2012 WA SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 28, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 28, 2012 AZ HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 24, 2012 AZ HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
June 13, 2012 National S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
May 31, 2012 National H Amdt 1160 Project Labor Agreements Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198)
June 20, 2012 National S Amdt 2454 Prohibits Food Aid to North Korea Unless Waived by President Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
Jan. 19, 2012 MO HJR 43 Limits State Spending Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 13, 2012 MS HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - House (72 - 48)
Feb. 15, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
Feb. 21, 2012 MI HB 5033 Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs Bill Passed - House (67 - 39)
Feb. 27, 2012 WY HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2012 WY SF 59 Limits Cost-of-Living Adjustments to State Employee Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 1, 2012 UT HB 155 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/02 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
7/02 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
6/21 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45)
5/16 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 6)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
8/15 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
5/16 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
6/21 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
6/06 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
8/15 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/08 HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33)
2/02 SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/24 SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
6/30 HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91)
6/29 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
3/26 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
3/29 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
2/02 SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
7/06 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
2/29 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20)
8/27 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26)
6/05 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
4/11 HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
5/24 SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
3/19 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
5/07 HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
7/05 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
2/23 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/23 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
8/22 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
3/26 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
5/24 SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (94 - 22)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/02 SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
2/27 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/14 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
2/15 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
4/10 SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
5/07 SB 313 Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (88 - 31)
6/05 S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
6/28 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
6/29 HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
5/31 HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
2/15 HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
9/22 H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
3/15 S 6735 Amends the Public Employee Retirement System Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
3/09 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/16 SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - House (86 - 51)
2/03 HR 3578 Amends Budget Baseline Bill Passed - House (235 - 177)
5/31 SB 2621 Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
3/21 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
2/29 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/10 SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/28 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/28 HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/24 HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
6/13 S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
5/31 H Amdt 1160 Project Labor Agreements Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198)
6/20 S Amdt 2454 Prohibits Food Aid to North Korea Unless Waived by President Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
3/07 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
1/18 CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
1/19 HJR 43 Limits State Spending Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54)
1/31 HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/13 HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - House (72 - 48)
2/15 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
2/21 HB 5033 Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs Bill Passed - House (67 - 39)
2/27 HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/28 SF 59 Limits Cost-of-Living Adjustments to State Employee Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/01 SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/01 HB 155 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
3/01 HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)

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