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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
June 21, 2010 LA SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
June 21, 2010 NJ SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 16, 2010 MI SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
May 27, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 21, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4071 Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4034 Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4051 Prohibiting Funding of State and Local Governments to Prevent Defaulting on Debt Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
May 11, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
May 5, 2010 OK SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
May 4, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 27, 2010 VT SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
April 14, 2010 LA Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
April 1, 2010 AL SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
March 31, 2010 MO HB 1601 St. Louis Police Department Governance Modifications Motion Rejected - House (66 - 86)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 29, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 29, 2010 ID SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 26, 2010 IA S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 24, 2010 NE LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
March 24, 2010 OH SB 150 County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 24, 2010 OH SB 35 State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 23, 2010 KS HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
March 22, 2010 GA HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
March 21, 2010 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
March 18, 2010 NH HB 1335 Authorizing Localities to Reduce Interest Rates on Unpaid Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (195 - 136)
March 17, 2010 GA SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 16, 2010 FL SCR 10 Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 9, 2010 ID H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 3, 2010 WY HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
March 3, 2010 AZ HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Feb. 18, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2010 TN SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2010 UT HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2010 CO SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Feb. 11, 2010 KS SCR 1615 Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2010 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Feb. 10, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
Feb. 8, 2010 VA SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
Feb. 3, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
Feb. 2, 2010 UT SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 1, 2010 OK SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
Feb. 1, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Jan. 14, 2010 IN HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
6/21 SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
6/21 SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/16 SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
5/27 SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/21 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/18 S Amdt 4071 Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18)
5/18 S Amdt 4034 Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
5/18 S Amdt 4051 Prohibiting Funding of State and Local Governments to Prevent Defaulting on Debt Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
5/13 HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
5/11 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
5/10 HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
5/05 SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
5/05 SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
5/04 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/27 SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
4/14 Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
4/01 SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
3/31 HB 1601 St. Louis Police Department Governance Modifications Motion Rejected - House (66 - 86)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/29 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/29 SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
3/26 SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/26 S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
3/26 SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/24 LB 952 Water and Natural Gas Infrastructure Replacement and Sewage Program Sales Tax Exemption Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (23 - 22)
3/24 SB 150 County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/24 SB 35 State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/23 HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
3/22 HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
3/21 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
3/18 HB 1335 Authorizing Localities to Reduce Interest Rates on Unpaid Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (195 - 136)
3/17 SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/16 SCR 10 Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/09 H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/03 HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
3/03 HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/24 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
2/18 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/17 SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
2/16 HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
2/15 SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/12 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
2/11 SCR 1615 Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/10 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
2/10 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
2/08 SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/03 HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
2/03 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/03 HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
2/02 SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/01 SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
2/01 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/14 HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)

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