Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 5, 2014 KS HB 2578 Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19)
March 13, 2014 IN SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16)
July 16, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
March 13, 2014 IN SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24)
March 13, 2014 IN SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10)
March 13, 2014 IN SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34)
July 10, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
April 21, 2014 AZ HB 2316 Prohibits Adoption of Federal Education Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
April 16, 2014 AZ SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Dec. 9, 2014 OH HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
June 1, 2014 LA HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 17)
Dec. 11, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
March 18, 2014 ME LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
March 25, 2014 KS HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Dec. 10, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Bill Passed - House (58 - 31)
Dec. 3, 2014 OH HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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)
March 3, 2014 IN SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
May 28, 2014 LA HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
April 30, 2014 MO HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 28, 2014 FL SB 864 Authorizes Local School Boards to Choose School Textbooks Bill Passed - House (84 - 33)
April 21, 2014 AZ HB 2316 Prohibits Adoption of Federal Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 15, 2014 AZ SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 17)
May 1, 2014 RI H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
March 3, 2014 SD SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
April 4, 2014 KS HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
April 7, 2014 OK SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 30, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
June 3, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 12, 2014 ME LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
March 26, 2014 NH HB 1508 Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Educational Standards "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 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 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)
April 3, 2014 KS Knox Amdt Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
May 30, 2014 National H Amdt 748 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Preventing States from Authorizing the Use of Medical Marijuana Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
Jan. 8, 2014 NH HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
May 22, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
May 27, 2014 IL SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
March 6, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
May 28, 2014 CA AB 1609 Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 9, 2014 National HR 2279 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (225 - 188)
June 10, 2014 MI SB 789 Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
June 19, 2014 NY A 9583A Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (91 - 37)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 707 Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion Bill Passed - House (115 - 59)
Jan. 29, 2014 KY HB 154 Requires Periodic Public School Financial Reports Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1143 Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
March 24, 2014 KS HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
March 12, 2014 AZ HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
March 10, 2014 OK SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
April 28, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - House (104 - 25)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN SB 229 Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Feb. 4, 2014 SD SB 75 Prohibits a Local Government From Establishing a Dog Breed-Specific Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
Jan. 30, 2014 VA HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
Jan. 30, 2014 IN HB 1001 Authorizes Property Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 3, 2014 MO HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 41)
Nov. 19, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 9, 2014 OH HB 369 Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2014 TN SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2014 SD SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2014 SD HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
April 4, 2014 KS HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks (55 - 67)
March 12, 2014 SD SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
March 4, 2014 SD HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
March 19, 2014 SC H 3101 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33)
July 29, 2014 National S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
March 10, 2014 UT HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
Feb. 6, 2014 VA HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/05 HB 2578 Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19)
3/13 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16)
7/16 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
3/13 SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24)
3/13 SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10)
3/13 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34)
7/10 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
8/29 SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
8/29 SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
8/29 AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
4/21 HB 2316 Prohibits Adoption of Federal Education Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
4/16 SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
12/09 HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
6/01 HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 17)
12/11 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/17 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
3/18 LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
3/25 HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
12/10 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Bill Passed - House (58 - 31)
12/03 HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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)
3/03 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
5/28 HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
4/30 HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/28 SB 864 Authorizes Local School Boards to Choose School Textbooks Bill Passed - House (84 - 33)
4/21 HB 2316 Prohibits Adoption of Federal Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
4/16 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/15 SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 17)
5/01 H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
3/03 SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
4/04 HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
4/07 SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
4/16 HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/30 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
6/03 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/12 LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
3/26 HB 1508 Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Educational Standards "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 138)
7/16 H Amdt 1086 Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192)
7/16 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)
4/03 Knox Amdt Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
5/30 H Amdt 748 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Preventing States from Authorizing the Use of Medical Marijuana Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
1/08 HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
5/22 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
5/27 SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
3/06 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
5/28 AB 1609 Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
5/28 SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
1/09 HR 2279 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (225 - 188)
6/10 SB 789 Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
6/19 A 9583A Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (91 - 37)
3/03 HB 707 Prohibits Use of State Resources to Assist with Medicaid Eligibility Expansion Bill Passed - House (115 - 59)
1/29 HB 154 Requires Periodic Public School Financial Reports Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
1/28 HB 1143 Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
3/24 HB 2553 Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
3/12 HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
3/10 SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
4/28 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - House (104 - 25)
1/28 SB 229 Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
2/04 SB 75 Prohibits a Local Government From Establishing a Dog Breed-Specific Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
1/30 HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
1/30 HB 1001 Authorizes Property Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/03 HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 41)
11/19 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/09 HB 369 Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
2/20 SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/13 SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/10 SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/06 HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/04 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
4/04 HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks (55 - 67)
3/12 SB 98 Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
3/04 HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
3/19 H 3101 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33)
7/29 S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
3/10 HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
2/06 HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)

arrow_upward