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. 11, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Dec. 10, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Bill Passed - House (58 - 31)
Dec. 9, 2014 OH HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32)
Dec. 4, 2014 OH HB 661 Increases Salaries of Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (56 - 26)
Dec. 4, 2014 National HR 5759 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (219 - 197)
Dec. 3, 2014 OH HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Dec. 1, 2014 NJ S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 1, 2014 NJ S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Nov. 19, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Nov. 18, 2014 National HR 1422 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (229 - 191)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 15, 2014 PA HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
Sept. 11, 2014 National S J Res 19 A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Sept. 9, 2014 National H Res 644 Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Bill Passed - House (47 - 27)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 2, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44)
Aug. 2, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44)
Aug. 1, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2014 National HR 5272 To Prohibit Certain Actions with Respect to Deferred Action for Aliens Not Lawfully Present in the United States, and for Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (216 - 192)
July 30, 2014 NC HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
July 30, 2014 National H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
July 29, 2014 National S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
July 28, 2014 NC HB 1181 Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
July 25, 2014 NC HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
July 16, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1098 Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1093 Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1079 Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from Providing Bonuses to Employees Amendment Adopted - House (282 - 138)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1086 Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192)
July 10, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
July 1, 2014 PA HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - House (144 - 59)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/11 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
12/10 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Bill Passed - House (58 - 31)
12/09 HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32)
12/04 HB 661 Increases Salaries of Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (56 - 26)
12/04 HR 5759 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (219 - 197)
12/03 HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
12/01 S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/01 S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
11/19 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
11/18 HR 1422 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (229 - 191)
10/23 SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/23 S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
10/23 SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/15 HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
9/11 S J Res 19 A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
9/10 SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52)
9/10 SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
9/09 H Res 644 Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163)
8/29 AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/29 SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
8/29 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
8/29 SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
8/29 SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
8/29 SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Bill Passed - House (47 - 27)
8/27 AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
8/27 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/02 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44)
8/02 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 44)
8/01 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
8/01 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
8/01 HR 5272 To Prohibit Certain Actions with Respect to Deferred Action for Aliens Not Lawfully Present in the United States, and for Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (216 - 192)
7/30 HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
7/30 H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
7/29 S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
7/28 HB 1181 Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
7/25 HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
7/16 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
7/16 H Amdt 1098 Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181)
7/16 H Amdt 1093 Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200)
7/16 H Amdt 1079 Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from Providing Bonuses to Employees Amendment Adopted - House (282 - 138)
7/16 H Amdt 1086 Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192)
7/10 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
7/01 HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - House (144 - 59)

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