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
April 25, 2014 AK HB 278 Increases Base Student Allocation Conference Report Adopted - House (28 - 10)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 278 Increases Base Student Allocation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 3)
April 21, 2014 AK HB 278 Increases Local Contributions for Public School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 7, 2014 AK HB 278 Increases Local Contributions for Public School Funding Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
April 2, 2014 AL SB 115 Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (70 - 33)
April 3, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (73 - 27)
Feb. 26, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 4, 2014 AR SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
Feb. 20, 2014 AR SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 7, 2014 AZ HB 2703 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 11)
April 7, 2014 AZ HB 2703 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 19)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 6, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
June 15, 2014 CA SB 852 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
June 15, 2014 CA SB 852 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 24)
Aug. 30, 2014 CA AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 29, 2014 CA AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 23)
May 4, 2014 CT HB 5596 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
May 3, 2014 CT HB 5596 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - House (91 - 55)
July 1, 2014 DE SB 220 Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
June 25, 2014 DE SB 220 Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 25, 2014 FL HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
April 23, 2014 IA SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
March 20, 2014 ID S 1395 Increases Salaries of Certain State Officials Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
May 29, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
May 29, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
May 30, 2014 IL SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
May 28, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
May 30, 2014 IL SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Bill Passed - House (65 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
May 28, 2014 IL SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 6093 2014-2015 K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 6096 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 17)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 6094 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 6095 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 6097 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 6095 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 6096 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 6094 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 6093 2014-2015 K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
May 27, 2014 IL HB 6097 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (65 - 49)
May 27, 2014 IL SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
May 15, 2014 IL HB 6021 2014-2015 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (61 - 55)
March 13, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24)
March 13, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
May 2, 2014 KS HB 2231 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 54)
April 6, 2014 KS HB 2506 Appropriates Funds to Certain School Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 57)
April 4, 2014 KS HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion (68 - 54)
May 2, 2014 KS HB 2231 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
April 5, 2014 KS SB 218 Establishes School Financing and Administrative Measures Conference Report Rejected - House (55 - 67)
April 6, 2014 KS HB 2506 Appropriates Funds to Certain School Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
March 6, 2014 KS HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 25, 2014 KS HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
April 3, 2014 KS Knox Amdt Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
April 15, 2014 KY SB 5 Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers Bill Failed - House (42 - 51)
March 13, 2014 KY HB 235 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
June 12, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 28, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 170 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 37)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 170 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
March 27, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities Bill Passed - House (96 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2014 MD SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
March 18, 2014 ME LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
March 12, 2014 ME LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
Dec. 10, 2014 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 27, 2014 MI SB 934 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Dec. 10, 2014 MI SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Dec. 3, 2014 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35)
Dec. 3, 2014 MI SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (75 - 34)
May 27, 2014 MI SB 934 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
June 3, 2014 MI HB 5574 Appropriates Funds to the Michigan Settlement Administration Authority Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 3, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 22, 2014 MI HB 5574 Appropriates Funds to the Michigan Settlement Administration Authority Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
May 22, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
May 16, 2014 MN HF 3172 2014-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 22)
May 16, 2014 MN HF 3172 2014-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 55)
May 16, 2014 MN HF 2490 Appropriates Funds for Public Improvement and Capital Programs Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 17)
May 16, 2014 MN HF 1068 Appropriates Funds to Certain State Agencies and Projects Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
May 15, 2014 MN HF 2490 Appropriates Funds for Public Improvement and Capital Programs Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
May 15, 2014 MN HF 1068 Appropriates Funds to Certain State Agencies and Projects Bill Passed - House (82 - 50)
April 29, 2014 MO SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - House (107 - 45)
April 30, 2014 MO SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
March 13, 2014 MO SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
April 3, 2014 MO SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
July 31, 2014 National HR 5021 Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (81 - 13)
Jan. 16, 2014 National HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
Feb. 12, 2014 National S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (55 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2014 National S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 31)
Jan. 15, 2014 National HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (359 - 67)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/25 HB 278 Increases Base Student Allocation Conference Report Adopted - House (28 - 10)
4/25 HB 278 Increases Base Student Allocation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 3)
4/21 HB 278 Increases Local Contributions for Public School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/07 HB 278 Increases Local Contributions for Public School Funding Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
4/02 SB 115 Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (70 - 33)
4/03 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (73 - 27)
2/26 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/04 SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
2/20 SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/07 HB 2703 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 11)
4/07 HB 2703 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 19)
4/17 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
4/16 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/06 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
6/15 SB 852 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
6/15 SB 852 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 24)
8/30 AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
8/29 AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/29 SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/29 AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 23)
5/04 HB 5596 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
5/03 HB 5596 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - House (91 - 55)
7/01 SB 220 Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
6/25 SB 220 Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/25 HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
3/03 HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
3/03 HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
4/23 SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
3/20 S 1395 Increases Salaries of Certain State Officials Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
5/29 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
5/29 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10)
5/30 SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
2/05 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
5/28 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
5/27 HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
5/30 SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Bill Passed - House (65 - 48)
2/04 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
5/28 SB 741 Expands Medicaid Services Bill Passed - House (75 - 37)
5/30 HB 6093 2014-2015 K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
5/30 HB 6096 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 17)
5/30 HB 6094 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
5/30 HB 6095 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
5/30 HB 6097 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
5/27 HB 6095 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
5/27 HB 6096 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
5/27 HB 6094 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
5/27 HB 6093 2014-2015 K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
5/27 HB 6097 2014-2015 Department Budgets Bill Passed - House (65 - 49)
5/27 SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
5/15 HB 6021 2014-2015 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (61 - 55)
3/13 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24)
3/13 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17)
3/04 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
1/28 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
5/02 HB 2231 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 54)
4/06 HB 2506 Appropriates Funds to Certain School Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 57)
4/04 HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion (68 - 54)
5/02 HB 2231 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
4/05 SB 218 Establishes School Financing and Administrative Measures Conference Report Rejected - House (55 - 67)
4/06 HB 2506 Appropriates Funds to Certain School Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
3/06 HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/25 HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
4/03 Knox Amdt Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
4/15 SB 5 Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers Bill Failed - House (42 - 51)
3/13 HB 235 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
6/12 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/28 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
4/05 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38)
4/05 SB 170 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 37)
4/05 SB 170 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
4/05 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
3/27 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities Bill Passed - House (96 - 42)
1/28 SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
3/18 LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
3/12 LD 1487 Expands Medicaid Eligibility "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
12/10 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/27 SB 934 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
12/10 SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
12/03 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35)
12/03 SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (75 - 34)
5/27 SB 934 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
6/03 HB 5574 Appropriates Funds to the Michigan Settlement Administration Authority Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/03 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/22 HB 5574 Appropriates Funds to the Michigan Settlement Administration Authority Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
5/22 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
5/16 HF 3172 2014-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 22)
5/16 HF 3172 2014-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 55)
5/16 HF 2490 Appropriates Funds for Public Improvement and Capital Programs Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 17)
5/16 HF 1068 Appropriates Funds to Certain State Agencies and Projects Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
5/15 HF 2490 Appropriates Funds for Public Improvement and Capital Programs Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
5/15 HF 1068 Appropriates Funds to Certain State Agencies and Projects Bill Passed - House (82 - 50)
4/29 SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - House (107 - 45)
4/30 SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
3/13 SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
4/03 SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
7/31 HR 5021 Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (81 - 13)
1/16 HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
2/12 S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (55 - 43)
2/12 S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 31)
1/15 HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (359 - 67)

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