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
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Oct. 30, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 484 Amends State School Testing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
July 23, 2013 NC SB 76 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements and Authorizes Off-Shore Drilling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 11)
July 18, 2013 NC SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
June 14, 2013 CA AB 76 Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 23, 2013 IL HB 3227 Amends State Health Benefits Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 22, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
May 14, 2013 WI AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 6, 2013 National S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 27)
May 2, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
May 2, 2013 NC SB 612 Amends Environmental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Encourages Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 30, 2013 AL SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 25, 2013 National S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30)
April 22, 2013 NV SB 229 Repeals the Withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 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 AZ HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 102 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
April 4, 2013 MO SB 265 Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 2, 2013 AZ HB 2477 Requires Photo Radar Systems To Be Necessary for Public Safety Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 1, 2013 NV SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
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 13, 2013 MT HB 302 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 13, 2013 NC SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 11, 2013 ID S 1108 Increases Petition Signature Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 7, 2013 MN HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
March 7, 2013 CA SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 4, 2013 NM SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 28, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2013 NC SB 76 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2013 WY HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2013 UT SB 109 Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 25, 2013 ID SJM 101 Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 14, 2013 MN HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2013 VA SB 1324 Establishes Education Institution and Board Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
10/30 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
9/11 HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
9/10 AB 484 Amends State School Testing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
7/23 SB 76 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements and Authorizes Off-Shore Drilling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 11)
7/18 SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
6/14 AB 76 Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/23 HB 3227 Amends State Health Benefits Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/22 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
5/14 AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/06 S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 27)
5/02 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
5/02 SB 612 Amends Environmental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
4/30 SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
4/30 SP 548 Encourages Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/30 SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/25 S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30)
4/22 SB 229 Repeals the Withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/18 SB 1020 Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/18 HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/17 S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
4/16 SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/05 SB 102 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
4/04 SB 265 Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/02 HB 2477 Requires Photo Radar Systems To Be Necessary for Public Safety Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/02 HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/01 SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
3/25 SB 602 Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/21 H 248 Establishes Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/18 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28)
3/13 HB 302 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/13 SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/11 S 1108 Increases Petition Signature Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/07 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
3/07 SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/04 SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/28 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
2/27 SB 76 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
2/26 HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/26 SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/26 SB 109 Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/25 SJM 101 Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/14 HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
2/14 SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/05 SB 1324 Establishes Education Institution and Board Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)

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