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. 18, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36) |
Dec. 12, 2013 | MI | SB 660 | Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Nov. 13, 2013 | MI | SB 660 | Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
Nov. 13, 2013 | MI | SB 2 | Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Nov. 13, 2013 | MI | SB 2 | Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Oct. 16, 2013 | National | HR 2775 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
Sept. 27, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | MI | SB 276 | Requires Community Service for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 359 | Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | SB 649 | Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
Aug. 27, 2013 | MI | HB 4714 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Aug. 27, 2013 | MI | HB 4714 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Aug. 26, 2013 | CA | AB 721 | Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
July 25, 2013 | NC | HB 938 | Amends Wetland Permit Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
July 3, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
July 2, 2013 | NC | SB 132 | Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
July 1, 2013 | OR | HB 3194 | Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
June 27, 2013 | DE | HB 88 | Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13) |
June 20, 2013 | NJ | S 2842 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
May 30, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3) |
May 24, 2013 | CA | SB 648 | Prohibits the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Public Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
May 23, 2013 | IL | HB 3227 | Amends State Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
May 22, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24) |
May 22, 2013 | IL | HB 2675 | Expands Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21) |
May 20, 2013 | MN | HF 677 | Amends State Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 30) |
May 18, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28) |
May 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21) |
May 16, 2013 | AZ | HB 2045 | Requires Hospitals to Release Procedure Pricing Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 5) |
May 16, 2013 | AZ | SB 1492 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
May 9, 2013 | OR | HB 2896 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 8, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
May 7, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
May 2, 2013 | NC | SB 612 | Amends Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 649 | Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
April 30, 2013 | MI | SB 197 | Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
April 25, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
April 25, 2013 | AL | SB 340 | Amends the Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
April 25, 2013 | IL | SB 2187 | Authorizes Psychologists to Prescribe Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
April 24, 2013 | AL | SB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
April 18, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
April 18, 2013 | MT | HB 623 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
April 18, 2013 | TX | SB 303 | Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
April 17, 2013 | AR | HB 1219 | Appropriates Funds for Private Health Insurance Purchases | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
April 16, 2013 | OK | HB 2015 | Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
April 16, 2013 | IA | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
April 12, 2013 | WA | HB 1001 | Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
April 11, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
April 11, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
April 10, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
April 10, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
April 9, 2013 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
April 8, 2013 | AR | SB 38 | Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 199 | Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2253 | Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 126 | Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 126 | Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 3, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
March 27, 2013 | MD | SB 274 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
March 26, 2013 | IN | HB 1293 | Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
March 25, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 21, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 18, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28) |
March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 18, 2013 | WV | SB 464 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
March 13, 2013 | National | S Amdt 30 | To Prohibit the Use of Funds to Carry Out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 52) |
March 13, 2013 | OR | SB 444 | Prohibits Smoking in a Car with Minors Present | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
March 13, 2013 | WA | SB 5802 | Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
March 7, 2013 | CA | SB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
March 5, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
March 5, 2013 | SD | HB 1142 | Authorizes Patients to Use a Health Care Provider Outside of Their Insurance Network | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23) |
March 5, 2013 | MI | SB 78 | Removes Biodiversity and Restoration as Forest Management Goals for Department of Natural Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
March 1, 2013 | UT | HB 13 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 149 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | IL | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NC | SB 4 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 16) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | SB 109 | Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | KY | SB 40 | Requires Health Care Exchanges to Be Approved by The Legislature | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | KY | SB 39 | Requires Medicaid Expansion to be Approved by the Legislature | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | ID | S 1042 | Establishes a State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | UT | SB 60 | Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | AK | HB 80 | Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | AK | HB 80 | Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | ND | SB 2303 | Defines a "Human Being" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | MN | HF 9 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | IL | SB 622 | Increases Physician License Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |