Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 9, 2010 FL SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
April 9, 2010 NE LB 780 PTSD Workers' Compensation Benefits for First Responders Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
April 7, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 7, 2010 ME LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - House (100 - 48)
April 7, 2010 MD HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 6, 2010 NE Amdt 2455 Limiting First Responder PTSD Benefits to 26 Weeks Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 30)
April 6, 2010 NE Amdt 2454 Limiting First Responder PTSD Death Benefits to 1 Year Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 27)
April 5, 2010 CO HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
April 1, 2010 KY HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
April 1, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
April 1, 2010 GA HB 307 Hospital Medicaid Fee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 1, 2010 KY HB 109 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
April 1, 2010 CO HB 1387 Highway User Tax Fund Diversion to Licensing Services Fund Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
April 1, 2010 AL SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 31, 2010 CO HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
March 31, 2010 CO HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 30, 2010 GA SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
March 30, 2010 NE LB 1102 Legalizing "Horse Racing Machines" Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (30 - 13)
March 30, 2010 AL SB 380 Authorization, Regulation, and Taxation of Bingo Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 29, 2010 ID H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2010 ID SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
March 29, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 27, 2010 MS SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 31)
March 27, 2010 MS SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 26, 2010 KY HB 368 Telephone and Online Gambling Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 26, 2010 ME LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
March 26, 2010 IA S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
March 26, 2010 GA SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 26, 2010 ID H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 26, 2010 IL HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 25, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 207)
March 25, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
March 25, 2010 CO HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 25, 2010 KY SB 178 Closed-Session School Superintendent Evaluations Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
March 25, 2010 MI HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 25, 2010 IL SB 2494 Funding for School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
March 25, 2010 ME LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - House (62 - 83)
March 25, 2010 FL SJR 2 Classroom Size Limitation Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 24, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
March 24, 2010 NH SB 392 Annual Public Hearing on Health Care Costs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 24, 2010 ID S 1419 2010-2011 Higher Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 24, 2010 MI SB 1163 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 24, 2010 FL SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 24, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
March 24, 2010 MD SB 1035 Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 24, 2010 NH SB 489 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 24, 2010 KS HB 2685 Authorizing Concealed Weapons on Campus Bill Passed - House (65 - 57)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
March 23, 2010 KY HB 239 School Principal Selection Process Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 23, 2010 KS HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
March 23, 2010 MD HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - House (97 - 36)
March 22, 2010 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
March 22, 2010 CO HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 22, 2010 AZ SB 1334 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 22, 2010 IA Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
March 22, 2010 GA HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
March 22, 2010 ID S 1418 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 22, 2010 IL HB 4886 Authorizing 4-Day School Week Bill Passed - House (81 - 21)
March 22, 2010 AZ SB 1309 Expanding Parental Consent Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 21, 2010 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
March 21, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
March 18, 2010 IL SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
March 18, 2010 AZ HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
March 17, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
March 17, 2010 MO Amdt 4 Deleting an Education Foundation Formula Modification Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 83)
March 17, 2010 GA SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 17, 2010 AZ HB 2297 Authorizing Land Annexation Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 13, 2010 WV HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 12)
March 12, 2010 WV HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 VA HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
March 10, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
March 10, 2010 VA HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 10, 2010 ID S 1352 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
March 9, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 9, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 9, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 8, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 8, 2010 UT SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
March 8, 2010 UT HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
March 5, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 4, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/09 SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
4/09 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
4/09 LB 780 PTSD Workers' Compensation Benefits for First Responders Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
4/07 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/07 LD 1826 Bond Authorization Bill Passed - House (100 - 48)
4/07 HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/06 Amdt 2455 Limiting First Responder PTSD Benefits to 26 Weeks Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 30)
4/06 Amdt 2454 Limiting First Responder PTSD Death Benefits to 1 Year Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 27)
4/05 HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
4/01 HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
4/01 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
4/01 HB 307 Hospital Medicaid Fee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/01 HB 109 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
4/01 HB 1387 Highway User Tax Fund Diversion to Licensing Services Fund Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
4/01 SB 233 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/31 HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
3/31 HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/30 SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
3/30 LB 1102 Legalizing "Horse Racing Machines" Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (30 - 13)
3/30 SB 380 Authorization, Regulation, and Taxation of Bingo Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/29 H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
3/29 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/27 SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 31)
3/27 SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/26 HB 368 Telephone and Online Gambling Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/26 SB 407 Allowing the Purchasing of Health Insurance Policies Approved in Other States Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/26 LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
3/26 S 5340 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31)
3/26 SB 399 General Assembly Authorization Requirements for Implementation of Federal Health Care Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/26 H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/26 HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/25 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 207)
3/25 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
3/25 HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/25 SB 178 Closed-Session School Superintendent Evaluations Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
3/25 HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/25 SB 2494 Funding for School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
3/25 LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - House (62 - 83)
3/25 SJR 2 Classroom Size Limitation Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/24 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
3/24 SB 392 Annual Public Hearing on Health Care Costs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/24 S 1419 2010-2011 Higher Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/24 SB 1163 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/24 SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/24 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
3/24 SB 1035 Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/24 SB 489 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/24 HB 2685 Authorizing Concealed Weapons on Campus Bill Passed - House (65 - 57)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
3/23 HB 239 School Principal Selection Process Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/23 HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
3/23 HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - House (97 - 36)
3/22 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
3/22 HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/22 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/22 SB 1334 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/22 Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
3/22 HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
3/22 S 1418 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/22 HB 4886 Authorizing 4-Day School Week Bill Passed - House (81 - 21)
3/22 SB 1309 Expanding Parental Consent Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/21 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
3/21 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
3/18 SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
3/18 HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
3/17 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
3/17 Amdt 4 Deleting an Education Foundation Formula Modification Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 83)
3/17 SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/17 HB 2297 Authorizing Land Annexation Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
3/16 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/16 SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/13 HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 12)
3/12 HB 4652 School Calendar Committees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
3/11 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
3/10 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
3/10 HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/10 S 1352 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
3/09 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/09 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/09 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/08 HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/08 SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
3/08 HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
3/05 HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/04 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201)

arrow_upward