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
May 18, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
May 23, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
Jan. 19, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
Jan. 11, 2006 MA H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
April 5, 2006 MA S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
Jan. 25, 2006 MA S 1074 Disclosure of Religious Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (3 - 147)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
April 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 27, 2006 MA C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
May 24, 2006 MA Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
June 29, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
June 22, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
July 31, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
July 26, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (145 - 8)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
Nov. 15, 2007 MA S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Jan. 23, 2008 MA H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
May 6, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
April 10, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
April 10, 2008 MA Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
June 4, 2008 MA H 4346 Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - House (116 - 34)
June 12, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
June 11, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
July 9, 2008 MA H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
July 9, 2008 MA Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
July 9, 2008 MA Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
July 29, 2008 MA Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
July 29, 2008 MA S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
June 3, 2009 MA H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 17, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
Nov. 17, 2009 MA S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2010 MA H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
April 27, 2009 MA Sciortino Amdt Sales Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (108 - 51)
April 14, 2010 MA H 4591 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 37)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
July 15, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 2, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
July 1, 2010 MA H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
July 27, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
May 1, 2009 MA H 4101 Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (137 - 19)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
April 26, 2011 MA Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
Oct. 13, 2011 MA H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 14, 2011 MA H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - House (123 - 32)
Sept. 15, 2011 MA S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
May 30, 2012 MA H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
June 27, 2012 MA S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
June 5, 2012 MA S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
June 27, 2012 MA H 4174 Authorizes Funds for State Transportation Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
July 31, 2012 MA S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
May 15, 2012 MA S Amdt 125 Requires Establishing a Single Payer Health Care System Benchmark Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 22)
July 19, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
July 18, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
April 8, 2013 MA H 3382 Expands Retail Tax to Include Computer System Design Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 55)
April 24, 2013 MA H 3401 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (127 - 29)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
April 2, 2014 MA H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 30)
May 21, 2014 MA H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
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)
May 1, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/18 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
5/23 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
1/19 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
1/11 H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
4/05 S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
1/25 S 1074 Disclosure of Religious Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (3 - 147)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
4/04 H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/27 C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
5/24 Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
6/29 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
6/22 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
7/31 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
7/26 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (145 - 8)
9/27 Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
9/27 Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
9/27 S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
11/15 S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
1/23 H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
3/20 H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
5/06 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
4/10 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
4/10 Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
6/04 H 4346 Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - House (116 - 34)
6/12 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
6/11 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
3/20 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
7/09 H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
7/09 Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
7/09 Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
7/29 Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
7/29 S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
6/03 H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/17 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
11/17 S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
2/04 H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
4/27 Sciortino Amdt Sales Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (108 - 51)
4/14 H 4591 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 37)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
7/15 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/02 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
7/01 H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
7/27 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
5/01 H 4101 Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (137 - 19)
10/11 H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
2/10 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
4/26 Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
10/13 H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/14 H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - House (123 - 32)
9/15 S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
5/30 H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
6/27 S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
6/05 S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
6/27 H 4174 Authorizes Funds for State Transportation Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
7/31 S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
5/15 S Amdt 125 Requires Establishing a Single Payer Health Care System Benchmark Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 22)
7/19 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
7/18 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
4/08 H 3382 Expands Retail Tax to Include Computer System Design Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 55)
4/24 H 3401 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (127 - 29)
11/19 S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
11/19 Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
4/02 H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
7/16 H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 30)
5/21 H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
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)
5/01 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)

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