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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (43 - 33)
Oct. 17, 2012 MI SB 1294 Requires Blue Cross Blue Shield to Begin Paying State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Oct. 4, 2012 NJ S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
July 11, 2012 National HR 6079 Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Passed - House (244 - 185)
June 13, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
May 24, 2012 National S Amdt 2153 Prohibits Increase in Interest Rates for Student Loans (Lamar Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 62)
May 15, 2012 MA S Amdt 125 Requires Establishing a Single Payer Health Care System Benchmark Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 22)
May 8, 2012 AL SB 10 Prohibits Insurance from Providing Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - House (76 - 28)
April 27, 2012 CO SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
April 25, 2012 AZ HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 9)
April 19, 2012 AZ HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 21)
April 19, 2012 MO HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
April 12, 2012 AZ HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
April 10, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 47)
April 5, 2012 MD HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 981 Provides Reimbursement for Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 415 Requires Insurers to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 414 Health Care Coverage for Treatments Relating to Autism Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 414 Health Care Coverage for Treatments Relating to Autism Bill Passed - House (91 - 19)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 415 Requires Insurers to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (91 - 19)
March 29, 2012 MI SB 981 Provides Reimbursement for Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Bill Passed - House (84 - 26)
March 29, 2012 MO SB 749 Authorizes Employers to Exempt Contraception from Healthcare Coverage (26 - 5)
March 28, 2012 AZ HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 1560 Joining an Interstate Health Care Compact to Opt-Out of Federal Health Care Programs Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
March 26, 2012 MD HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (94 - 44)
March 23, 2012 ID SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 13, 2012 WI SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
March 10, 2012 WV HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 33)
March 10, 2012 WV HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 119 Amends Personal Injury Protection Insurance Requirements and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 119 Amends Personal Injury Protection Insurance Requirements and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 34)
March 8, 2012 UT SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
March 8, 2012 UT SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 460 Exempts Religious Employers from Insurance Requirements for Coverage of Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
March 7, 2012 NH HB 1546 Authorizes Employers to Not Provide Contraception Coverage in Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (196 - 150)
March 5, 2012 OR HB 4164 Implementing the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 3, 2012 WA HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 2, 2012 OR HB 4164 Implementing the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (55 - 5)
March 1, 2012 WA HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 1, 2012 National S Amdt 1520 Authorizes Moral and Religious Objections to Certain Health Care Items and Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 48)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
Feb. 28, 2012 WY HJR 7 Requests the President to Repeal the Rule Requiring Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (40 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2012 WV HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 24, 2012 VT H 559 Establishes a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (88 - 38)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2012 OR SB 1580 Amends State Health Plan Bill Passed - House (53 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2012 NH HR 29 Urges Repeal of Rule Requiring Health Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives Resolution Passed - House (227 - 121)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2012 OR SB 1580 Amends State Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2012 WA HB 2330 Requires Health Insurers to Cover Abortion Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 1, 2012 National HR 1173 Repeals the CLASS Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 159)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/29 S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
10/18 S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (43 - 33)
10/17 SB 1294 Requires Blue Cross Blue Shield to Begin Paying State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
10/04 S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
7/11 HR 6079 Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Passed - House (244 - 185)
6/13 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/11 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
5/24 S Amdt 2153 Prohibits Increase in Interest Rates for Student Loans (Lamar Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 62)
5/15 S Amdt 125 Requires Establishing a Single Payer Health Care System Benchmark Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 22)
5/08 SB 10 Prohibits Insurance from Providing Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - House (76 - 28)
4/27 SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
4/25 HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 9)
4/19 HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 21)
4/19 HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
4/12 HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
4/10 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 47)
4/05 HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/29 SB 981 Provides Reimbursement for Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/29 SB 415 Requires Insurers to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
3/29 SB 414 Health Care Coverage for Treatments Relating to Autism Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/29 SB 414 Health Care Coverage for Treatments Relating to Autism Bill Passed - House (91 - 19)
3/29 SB 415 Requires Insurers to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (91 - 19)
3/29 SB 981 Provides Reimbursement for Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Bill Passed - House (84 - 26)
3/29 SB 749 Authorizes Employers to Exempt Contraception from Healthcare Coverage (26 - 5)
3/28 HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
3/28 HB 1560 Joining an Interstate Health Care Compact to Opt-Out of Federal Health Care Programs Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
3/26 HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (94 - 44)
3/23 SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/13 SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
3/10 HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 33)
3/10 HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/09 HB 119 Amends Personal Injury Protection Insurance Requirements and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/09 HB 119 Amends Personal Injury Protection Insurance Requirements and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 34)
3/08 SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
3/08 SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
3/07 SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
3/07 SB 460 Exempts Religious Employers from Insurance Requirements for Coverage of Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
3/07 HB 1546 Authorizes Employers to Not Provide Contraception Coverage in Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (196 - 150)
3/05 HB 4164 Implementing the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/03 HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/02 HB 4164 Implementing the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (55 - 5)
3/01 HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/01 S Amdt 1520 Authorizes Moral and Religious Objections to Certain Health Care Items and Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 48)
3/01 HB 2625 Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
2/28 HJR 7 Requests the President to Repeal the Rule Requiring Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (40 - 17)
2/27 HB 4486 Requires Insurance Policy Disclosure When a Claim is Filed Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/24 H 559 Establishes a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (88 - 38)
2/23 HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/23 SB 1580 Amends State Health Plan Bill Passed - House (53 - 7)
2/23 HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/22 HR 29 Urges Repeal of Rule Requiring Health Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives Resolution Passed - House (227 - 121)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/14 SB 1580 Amends State Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/13 HB 2330 Requires Health Insurers to Cover Abortion Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/01 HR 1173 Repeals the CLASS Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 159)

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