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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 28, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | S 581 | Establishes Tax Credits for Investors in Small Business Technology | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | A 2578 | Authorizes Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (74 - 33) |
Dec. 5, 2012 | OH | HB 605 | Prohibits Gambling In Internet Cafes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
Nov. 30, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
Nov. 14, 2012 | National | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |
Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | A 2870 | Establishes Online Vote Registration | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | HB 815 | Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
Sept. 20, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (257 - 158) |
Sept. 12, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (301 - 118) |
Aug. 2, 2012 | National | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
June 29, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
June 27, 2012 | DE | HB 333 | Authorizes Online Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
June 21, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2372 | Prohibits the EPA from Conducting Aerial Surveillance of Agricultural Operations | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 43) |
June 19, 2012 | NY | A 1157B | Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology | Bill Passed - House (85 - 60) |
June 13, 2012 | PA | HB 2400 | Expands Wiretapping Authority | Bill Passed - House (145 - 52) |
June 12, 2012 | DE | HB 333 | Authorizes Online Gambling | Bill Passed - House (29 - 8) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | HB 145 | Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
May 31, 2012 | IL | HB 5440 | Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27) |
May 24, 2012 | NJ | A 1238 | Requires Copy Machine Hard Drives to be Erased Before Being Exchanged | Bill Passed - House (51 - 28) |
May 22, 2012 | IL | SB 1808 | Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (71 - 45) |
May 15, 2012 | OH | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 12) |
May 8, 2012 | IA | SF 2344 | Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23) |
May 3, 2012 | OH | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
May 2, 2012 | MI | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 2, 2012 | LA | HB 695 | Prohibits the Use of Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
May 1, 2012 | MI | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
April 26, 2012 | National | HR 3523 | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (248 - 168) |
April 19, 2012 | MO | HB 1860 | Prohibits Undisclosed Recording of Livestock | Bill Passed - House (108 - 32) |
April 10, 2012 | AK | HB 255 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
April 6, 2012 | MD | SB 433 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords | Bill Passed - House (128 - 10) |
April 3, 2012 | AZ | HB 2348 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 29, 2012 | IL | HB 4083 | Internet Dating Site Requirements | Bill Passed - House (83 - 26) |
March 29, 2012 | IL | HB 3782 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information | Bill Passed - House (78 - 30) |
March 23, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
March 21, 2012 | AZ | HB 2757 | Authorizes Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
March 21, 2012 | IL | HB 3944 | Authorizing the Recording of Police | Bill Failed - House (45 - 59) |
March 20, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
March 15, 2012 | ID | S 1358 | Amends Bullying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
March 15, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
March 14, 2012 | NY | S 6733 | Expands DNA Database to Include Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
March 13, 2012 | IA | SF 2275 | Authorizes Internet Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
March 13, 2012 | IA | HF 2385 | Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
March 13, 2012 | IA | HF 2380 | Amends Education Provisions | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
March 9, 2012 | IL | HB 5099 | Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones Near Emergency Scenes | Bill Passed - House (62 - 38) |
March 8, 2012 | AZ | SB 1338 | Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20) |
March 7, 2012 | UT | HB 187 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 13) |
March 7, 2012 | UT | HB 187 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
Feb. 29, 2012 | AZ | HB 2757 | Authorizes Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 20) |
Feb. 21, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | UT | SB 112 | Cable TV Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
Feb. 7, 2012 | UT | SB 112 | Cable TV Tax Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 16) |
Jan. 31, 2012 | NY | S 5560-A | Requires DNA Testing of All Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/28 | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
12/17 | S 581 | Establishes Tax Credits for Investors in Small Business Technology | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
12/17 | A 2578 | Authorizes Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
12/14 | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (74 - 33) |
12/05 | HB 605 | Prohibits Gambling In Internet Cafes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
11/30 | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
11/14 | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |
10/18 | A 2870 | Establishes Online Vote Registration | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
10/17 | HB 815 | Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
9/20 | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (257 - 158) |
9/12 | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (301 - 118) |
8/02 | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
6/30 | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
6/29 | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
6/27 | HB 333 | Authorizes Online Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
6/25 | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
6/25 | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
6/21 | S Amdt 2372 | Prohibits the EPA from Conducting Aerial Surveillance of Agricultural Operations | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 43) |
6/19 | A 1157B | Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology | Bill Passed - House (85 - 60) |
6/13 | HB 2400 | Expands Wiretapping Authority | Bill Passed - House (145 - 52) |
6/12 | HB 333 | Authorizes Online Gambling | Bill Passed - House (29 - 8) |
6/06 | HB 145 | Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
5/31 | HB 5440 | Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27) |
5/24 | A 1238 | Requires Copy Machine Hard Drives to be Erased Before Being Exchanged | Bill Passed - House (51 - 28) |
5/22 | SB 1808 | Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (71 - 45) |
5/15 | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 12) |
5/08 | SF 2344 | Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23) |
5/03 | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
5/02 | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
5/02 | HB 695 | Prohibits the Use of Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
5/01 | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
4/26 | HR 3523 | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (248 - 168) |
4/19 | HB 1860 | Prohibits Undisclosed Recording of Livestock | Bill Passed - House (108 - 32) |
4/10 | HB 255 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
4/06 | SB 433 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords | Bill Passed - House (128 - 10) |
4/03 | HB 2348 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
3/29 | HB 4083 | Internet Dating Site Requirements | Bill Passed - House (83 - 26) |
3/29 | HB 3782 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information | Bill Passed - House (78 - 30) |
3/23 | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
3/21 | HB 2757 | Authorizes Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
3/21 | HB 3944 | Authorizing the Recording of Police | Bill Failed - House (45 - 59) |
3/20 | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
3/19 | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24) |
3/19 | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
3/15 | S 1358 | Amends Bullying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
3/15 | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
3/14 | S 6733 | Expands DNA Database to Include Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
3/13 | SF 2275 | Authorizes Internet Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
3/13 | HF 2385 | Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
3/13 | HF 2380 | Amends Education Provisions | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
3/09 | HB 5099 | Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones Near Emergency Scenes | Bill Passed - House (62 - 38) |
3/08 | SB 1338 | Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20) |
3/07 | HB 187 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 13) |
3/07 | HB 187 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
2/29 | HB 2757 | Authorizes Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 20) |
2/21 | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
2/15 | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5) |
2/15 | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2) |
2/15 | SB 112 | Cable TV Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
2/07 | SB 112 | Cable TV Tax Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 16) |
1/31 | S 5560-A | Requires DNA Testing of All Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |