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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 20, 2012 | National | H J Res 118 | Congressional Disapproval of Department of Health and Human Services Rule to Waive Certain Requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) | Joint Resolution Passed - House (250 - 164) |
Sept. 13, 2012 | National | HR 6365 | National Security and Job Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | AB 1478 | Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20) |
Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26) |
Aug. 15, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48) |
July 5, 2012 | CA | SB 1029 | Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
July 2, 2012 | NC | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45) |
June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
June 28, 2012 | PA | SB 1466 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 81) |
June 21, 2012 | NC | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
June 14, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
June 8, 2012 | RI | H 7323 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |
June 7, 2012 | National | HR 5855 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2013 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 182) |
June 7, 2012 | MI | HB 5223 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (71 - 37) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144) |
June 6, 2012 | PA | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67) |
June 5, 2012 | MA | S 2270 | Reduces Health Care Spending | Bill Passed - House (148 - 7) |
June 5, 2012 | NC | H Amdt 2 | Limits Compensation for Eugenics Patients | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 85) |
June 5, 2012 | NC | HB 947 | Authorizes Compensation for Eugenics Patients | Bill Passed - House (86 - 31) |
May 31, 2012 | MI | HB 5365 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49) |
May 31, 2012 | IL | SB 1566 | Increases License Plate Fees | Bill Passed - House (61 - 56) |
May 31, 2012 | IL | SB 2621 | Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
May 31, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1160 | Project Labor Agreements | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198) |
May 30, 2012 | NC | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (73 - 46) |
May 24, 2012 | OK | SB 1975 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 42) |
May 24, 2012 | IL | SB 2840 | Limits Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (94 - 22) |
May 24, 2012 | OK | SB 1975 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
May 17, 2012 | LA | HB 822 | Authorizes the Transfer of Funds Among State Agencies | Bill Passed - House (63 - 38) |
May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28) |
May 16, 2012 | MD | SB 1301 | Amends Teacher Pension Funding | Bill Passed - House (86 - 51) |
May 10, 2012 | National | HR 5652 | Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 199) |
May 10, 2012 | National | HR 5652 | Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 199) |
May 9, 2012 | IA | SF 2315 | Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31) |
May 8, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33) |
May 7, 2012 | KS | SB 313 | Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits | Bill Passed - House (88 - 31) |
May 7, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Bill Passed - House (99 - 32) |
April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
April 25, 2012 | OH | HB 487 | Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
April 11, 2012 | WA | SB 5940 | Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
April 11, 2012 | WA | HB 2127 | Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
April 10, 2012 | WA | SB 6378 | Amends State Employee Pension System | (56 - 42) |
April 10, 2012 | HI | SB 2115 | Amends Charter School System | Bill Passed - House (40 - 11) |
April 10, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (56 - 47) |
March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60) |
March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60) |
March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 797 | Establishes a State Charter School Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55) |
March 29, 2012 | National | H Con Res 112 | Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") | Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191) |
March 28, 2012 | AZ | SB 1118 | Appropriates Funds for Forest Restoration | Bill Failed - House (18 - 40) |
March 28, 2012 | ID | H 660 | Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
March 28, 2012 | NH | HB 1658 | Establishes a Verification System to Detect Welfare Fraud | Bill Passed - House (245 - 84) |
March 26, 2012 | MN | HF 545 | Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60) |
March 26, 2012 | ID | H 695 | Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
March 26, 2012 | IL | HB 5789 | Establishes State Park Fees | Bill Passed - House (81 - 29) |
March 21, 2012 | SC | HB 4967 | Amends the South Carolina Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (86 - 27) |
March 20, 2012 | AZ | HB 2862 | Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - House (36 - 20) |
March 15, 2012 | NY | S 6735 | Amends the Public Employee Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
March 7, 2012 | FL | HB 859 | School Voucher Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 24) |
March 7, 2012 | GA | HB 861 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (114 - 59) |
March 5, 2012 | AZ | HB 2800 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
March 1, 2012 | AZ | HB 2519 | Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (39 - 17) |
March 1, 2012 | UT | HB 155 | Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
Feb. 29, 2012 | SD | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6) |
Feb. 27, 2012 | WY | HB 82 | Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
Feb. 21, 2012 | MI | HB 5033 | Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 39) |
Feb. 17, 2012 | National | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | CO | HB 1301 | Authorizes Legislative Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | MS | HCR 33 | Amends the State Budget Process | Bill Passed - House (72 - 48) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
Feb. 8, 2012 | National | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
Feb. 8, 2012 | GA | HR 1162 | Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62) |
Feb. 3, 2012 | National | HR 3578 | Amends Budget Baseline | Bill Passed - House (235 - 177) |
Feb. 2, 2012 | CA | SB 95 | Increase State's Ability to Borrow | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
Jan. 31, 2012 | IN | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
Jan. 19, 2012 | MO | HJR 43 | Limits State Spending | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54) |
Jan. 18, 2012 | NH | CACR 13 | Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes | Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101) |
Jan. 18, 2012 | National | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
9/20 | H J Res 118 | Congressional Disapproval of Department of Health and Human Services Rule to Waive Certain Requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) | Joint Resolution Passed - House (250 - 164) |
9/13 | HR 6365 | National Security and Job Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
8/30 | AB 1478 | Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20) |
8/27 | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26) |
8/15 | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48) |
7/05 | SB 1029 | Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
7/02 | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45) |
6/30 | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
6/28 | SB 1466 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 81) |
6/21 | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45) |
6/15 | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
6/15 | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
6/14 | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
6/08 | H 7323 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |
6/07 | HR 5855 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2013 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 182) |
6/07 | HB 5223 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (71 - 37) |
6/06 | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132) |
6/06 | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144) |
6/06 | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67) |
6/05 | S 2270 | Reduces Health Care Spending | Bill Passed - House (148 - 7) |
6/05 | H Amdt 2 | Limits Compensation for Eugenics Patients | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 85) |
6/05 | HB 947 | Authorizes Compensation for Eugenics Patients | Bill Passed - House (86 - 31) |
5/31 | HB 5365 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49) |
5/31 | SB 1566 | Increases License Plate Fees | Bill Passed - House (61 - 56) |
5/31 | SB 2621 | Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
5/31 | H Amdt 1160 | Project Labor Agreements | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198) |
5/30 | HB 950 | 2012-2013 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (73 - 46) |
5/24 | SB 1975 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 42) |
5/24 | SB 2840 | Limits Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (94 - 22) |
5/24 | SB 1975 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
5/17 | HB 822 | Authorizes the Transfer of Funds Among State Agencies | Bill Passed - House (63 - 38) |
5/16 | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28) |
5/16 | SB 1301 | Amends Teacher Pension Funding | Bill Passed - House (86 - 51) |
5/10 | HR 5652 | Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 199) |
5/10 | HR 5652 | Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 199) |
5/09 | SF 2315 | Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31) |
5/08 | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33) |
5/07 | SB 313 | Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits | Bill Passed - House (88 - 31) |
5/07 | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Bill Passed - House (99 - 32) |
4/25 | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
4/25 | HB 487 | Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
4/11 | SB 5940 | Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
4/11 | HB 2127 | Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
4/10 | SB 6378 | Amends State Employee Pension System | (56 - 42) |
4/10 | SB 2115 | Amends Charter School System | Bill Passed - House (40 - 11) |
4/10 | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (56 - 47) |
3/29 | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60) |
3/29 | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60) |
3/29 | HB 797 | Establishes a State Charter School Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55) |
3/29 | H Con Res 112 | Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") | Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191) |
3/28 | SB 1118 | Appropriates Funds for Forest Restoration | Bill Failed - House (18 - 40) |
3/28 | H 660 | Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
3/28 | HB 1658 | Establishes a Verification System to Detect Welfare Fraud | Bill Passed - House (245 - 84) |
3/26 | HF 545 | Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60) |
3/26 | H 695 | Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
3/26 | HB 5789 | Establishes State Park Fees | Bill Passed - House (81 - 29) |
3/21 | HB 4967 | Amends the South Carolina Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (86 - 27) |
3/20 | HB 2862 | Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - House (36 - 20) |
3/15 | S 6735 | Amends the Public Employee Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
3/09 | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
3/09 | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
3/07 | HB 859 | School Voucher Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 24) |
3/07 | HB 861 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (114 - 59) |
3/05 | HB 2800 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
3/01 | HB 2519 | Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (39 - 17) |
3/01 | HB 155 | Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
2/29 | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6) |
2/27 | HB 82 | Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
2/21 | HB 5033 | Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 39) |
2/17 | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132) |
2/15 | HB 1301 | Authorizes Legislative Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
2/13 | HCR 33 | Amends the State Budget Process | Bill Passed - House (72 - 48) |
2/09 | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
2/09 | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
2/08 | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
2/08 | HR 1162 | Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62) |
2/03 | HR 3578 | Amends Budget Baseline | Bill Passed - House (235 - 177) |
2/02 | SB 95 | Increase State's Ability to Borrow | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
1/31 | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
1/19 | HJR 43 | Limits State Spending | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54) |
1/18 | CACR 13 | Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes | Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101) |
1/18 | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |