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
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 17, 2013 PA HB 1234 Reduces Size of General Assembly Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50)
Dec. 17, 2013 PA HB 1234 Reduces Size of General Assembly Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50)
Dec. 12, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
Dec. 5, 2013 National HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
Dec. 5, 2013 National HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 515 Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 512 Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 513 Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233)
Nov. 21, 2013 National HR 1900 Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 165)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 507 Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
Nov. 6, 2013 IL SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
Nov. 6, 2013 IL SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
Nov. 6, 2013 IL SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
Nov. 6, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
Nov. 6, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
Oct. 30, 2013 National H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
Oct. 30, 2013 National H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
Oct. 30, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Oct. 30, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Oct. 30, 2013 National HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
Oct. 29, 2013 National S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 29, 2013 National S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 29, 2013 National HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 12, 2013 National S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Oct. 11, 2013 National H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
Oct. 9, 2013 National H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
Oct. 8, 2013 National H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
Oct. 7, 2013 National H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/17 HB 1234 Reduces Size of General Assembly Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50)
12/17 HB 1234 Reduces Size of General Assembly Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50)
12/12 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
12/05 H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
12/05 H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
12/05 H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
12/05 H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
12/05 HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
12/05 HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
11/21 H Amdt 515 Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243)
11/21 H Amdt 512 Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233)
11/21 H Amdt 513 Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233)
11/21 HR 1900 Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 165)
11/20 H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
11/20 H Amdt 507 Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230)
11/20 H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
11/20 H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
11/20 HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
11/20 HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
11/06 SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
11/06 SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
11/06 SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
11/06 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
11/06 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
10/30 H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
10/30 H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
10/30 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
10/30 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
10/30 HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
10/29 S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/29 S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/29 HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/12 S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
10/11 H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
10/09 H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
10/08 H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
10/07 H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
10/04 H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)

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