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. 17, 2011 National S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
Dec. 13, 2011 MI HB 4701 Amends the State Employee Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 7, 2011 MI HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Dec. 1, 2011 MI SB 806 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Oct. 26, 2011 PA SB 1 Charter School Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Oct. 18, 2011 PA SB 1151 Fiscal Emergency Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Sept. 26, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
Sept. 23, 2011 National S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
Sept. 22, 2011 National S Amdt 634 Sale of F-16 Aircraft to Taiwan Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 48)
Sept. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 613 Reducing Appropriations for Foreign Assistance Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
Sept. 15, 2011 MA S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2011 CA AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 2, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
July 31, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
July 22, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 25 2011-2013 Health and Human Services Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
July 19, 2011 MN SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
July 13, 2011 MI HB 4410 Amending the Jet Program of the Social Welfare Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 13, 2011 MI HB 4409 Amending the Social Welfare Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 29, 2011 NJ S 4000 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 28, 2011 OH HB 153 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
June 28, 2011 PA HB 1485 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 22, 2011 NH HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
June 21, 2011 National S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
June 20, 2011 OR SB 909 Appropriates Education Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
June 16, 2011 WI AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 15, 2011 NC HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 15, 2011 NY S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 9, 2011 AL HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
June 5, 2011 NV AB 580 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 3, 2011 TX SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 1, 2011 CT SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 27, 2011 CT HB 6650 Appropriations for Judicial Branch and Other Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4526 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
May 25, 2011 National H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
May 25, 2011 National S Con Res 21 2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 55)
May 23, 2011 NJ S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 18, 2011 MN SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
May 18, 2011 NV SB 75 Investment in Private Equity Firms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 12, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
May 10, 2011 NV AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 6, 2011 FL HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13)
May 6, 2011 FL SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
May 5, 2011 FL HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 2, 2011 CT SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
April 28, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 25, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 19, 2011 IN HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
April 14, 2011 NC HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 14, 2011 National HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
April 12, 2011 MT HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
April 11, 2011 MT HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 7, 2011 AL SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 4, 2011 ID S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 30, 2011 NY S 2808 Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13)
March 28, 2011 ID H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
March 24, 2011 ID S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 23, 2011 MI HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
March 22, 2011 AL SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
March 17, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
March 16, 2011 NM HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 16, 2011 AZ SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 10, 2011 AZ SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 9, 2011 MI SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 9, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 9, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
March 9, 2011 National S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
March 3, 2011 NJ S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 2, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
March 2, 2011 National S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
March 2, 2011 AZ SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 1, 2011 National S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
March 1, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2011 TX SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 21, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/17 S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
12/14 S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
12/14 S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
12/13 HB 4701 Amends the State Employee Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/07 HB 4770 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
12/01 SB 806 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
10/26 SB 1 Charter School Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
10/18 SB 1151 Fiscal Emergency Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
9/26 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 12)
9/23 S Amdt 655 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 36)
9/22 S Amdt 634 Sale of F-16 Aircraft to Taiwan Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 48)
9/15 S Amdt 613 Reducing Appropriations for Foreign Assistance Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
9/15 S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
8/31 AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/02 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
7/31 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
7/22 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
7/19 HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
7/19 HF 25 2011-2013 Health and Human Services Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
7/19 HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
7/19 HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
7/19 SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
7/13 HB 4410 Amending the Jet Program of the Social Welfare Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/13 HB 4409 Amending the Social Welfare Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/29 S 4000 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/28 HB 153 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
6/28 HB 1485 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/22 HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
6/21 S 782 Economic Development Revitalization Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
6/20 SB 909 Appropriates Education Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
6/16 AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/15 HB 200 2011-2013 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/15 S 5596 Revising The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/09 HB 414 Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
6/05 AB 580 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/03 SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/01 SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/27 HB 6650 Appropriations for Judicial Branch and Other Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/26 HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
5/26 HB 4526 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
5/25 H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 57)
5/25 S Con Res 21 2012 Budget Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 55)
5/23 S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/18 SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
5/18 SB 75 Investment in Private Equity Firms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/12 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/12 HB 4483 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Public Library Employees Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/12 HB 4480 Tax Exemption and Pension Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
5/10 AB 568 2011-2013 Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/06 HB 5305 Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13)
5/06 SB 2000 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
5/05 HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/02 SB 1239 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
4/28 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/25 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/20 SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/19 HB 1210 Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
4/14 HB 383 Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/14 HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
4/12 HB 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
4/11 HB 439 Authorizing New Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/07 SB 133 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/04 S 1202 Appropriations to Secretary of State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/01 SB 1617 K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/01 SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/01 SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/30 S 2808 Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13)
3/28 H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10)
3/24 S 1182 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/23 HB 4408 Employment Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
3/22 SB 72 Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
3/17 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
3/16 HB 2 General Appropriation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/16 SB 1613 Budget Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/10 SCR 1019 State Appropriations Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/09 SB 158 Collective Bargaining Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/09 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/09 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
3/09 S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
3/03 S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/02 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
3/02 S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
3/02 SB 1231 State Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/01 S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
3/01 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/23 SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/21 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
2/17 HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/15 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)

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