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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | HJR 381 | Homestead and Property Assessment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| May 4, 2011 | LA | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
| May 4, 2011 | National | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| April 28, 2011 | OR | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | SB 408 | Property and Casualty Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| April 27, 2011 | NH | SB 78 | Gas Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (208 - 98) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| April 26, 2011 | GA | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73) |
| April 25, 2011 | LA | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | |
| April 25, 2011 | CA | SB 28 | Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| April 25, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 20, 2011 | NC | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| April 20, 2011 | MT | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 20, 2011 | MT | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 526 | Requires a Study to Weigh Outcomes of Authorizing Online Poker in Iowa | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 20, 2011 | WA | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 20, 2011 | WA | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 20, 2011 | WA | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 19, 2011 | AZ | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 18, 2011 | ND | SB 2042 | Gaming Tax Reduction | Conference Report Rejected - House (46 - 48) |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1495 | Establishment of an Arizona State Guard | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| April 18, 2011 | CO | HB 1141 | Reduces Business Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| April 15, 2011 | IN | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| April 15, 2011 | WA | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 14, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| April 13, 2011 | AZ | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| April 13, 2011 | National | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| April 13, 2011 | IL | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| April 12, 2011 | GA | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10) |
| April 11, 2011 | MD | SB 690 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 20) |
| April 11, 2011 | AK | HB 1 | Authorizes Individuals to Decline Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
| April 11, 2011 | NY | A 2674 | Rent Regulation | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| April 9, 2011 | National | HR 1363 | 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70) |
| April 9, 2011 | MD | SB 690 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments | Bill Passed - House (74 - 60) |
| April 9, 2011 | WA | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| April 7, 2011 | OR | SB 695 | Standards for Infant Formula Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| April 7, 2011 | National | HR 1363 | 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (247 - 181) |
| April 6, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 62) |
| April 5, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| April 5, 2011 | IN | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| April 5, 2011 | IN | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| April 5, 2011 | National | HR 4 | Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| April 5, 2011 | AL | HB 60 | Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28) |
| April 5, 2011 | ID | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 5, 2011 | RI | S 87 | Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| April 4, 2011 | NY | A 4578 | Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| April 1, 2011 | National | H Amdt 232 | Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities | Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209) |
| April 1, 2011 | TX | H Amdt 6 | Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 1, 2011 | National | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
| March 31, 2011 | CA | SB 104 | Labor Representatives | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| March 31, 2011 | AR | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (83 - 7) |
| March 30, 2011 | GA | SB 17 | Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - House (96 - 67) |
| March 30, 2011 | NH | HB 519 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (251 - 108) |
| March 30, 2011 | NY | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| March 30, 2011 | ID | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (50 - 17) |
| March 29, 2011 | ID | H 187 | Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 29, 2011 | WA | SB 5251 | Electric Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| March 29, 2011 | National | HR 839 | Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program | Bill Passed - House (252 - 170) |
| March 29, 2011 | WA | SB 5251 | Electric Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| March 29, 2011 | AR | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Bill Failed - House (53 - 41) |
| March 28, 2011 | ND | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| March 28, 2011 | ND | HB 1195 | Bans Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/04 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| 5/04 | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| 5/04 | HJR 381 | Homestead and Property Assessment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 5/04 | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 5/04 | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
| 5/04 | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| 4/28 | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| 4/28 | SB 408 | Property and Casualty Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 4/27 | SB 78 | Gas Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (208 - 98) |
| 4/26 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| 4/26 | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73) |
| 4/25 | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | |
| 4/25 | SB 28 | Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 4/25 | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| 4/25 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 4/20 | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 4/20 | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 4/20 | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 4/20 | SF 526 | Requires a Study to Weigh Outcomes of Authorizing Online Poker in Iowa | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| 4/20 | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/20 | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/20 | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/20 | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/19 | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 4/18 | SB 2042 | Gaming Tax Reduction | Conference Report Rejected - House (46 - 48) |
| 4/18 | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| 4/18 | SB 1495 | Establishment of an Arizona State Guard | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| 4/18 | HB 1141 | Reduces Business Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 4/15 | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| 4/15 | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44) |
| 4/14 | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/14 | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| 4/14 | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/14 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 4/13 | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| 4/13 | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| 4/13 | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| 4/12 | HB 234 | Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10) |
| 4/11 | SB 690 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 20) |
| 4/11 | HB 1 | Authorizes Individuals to Decline Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
| 4/11 | A 2674 | Rent Regulation | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| 4/09 | HR 1363 | 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70) |
| 4/09 | SB 690 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments | Bill Passed - House (74 - 60) |
| 4/09 | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| 4/07 | SB 695 | Standards for Infant Formula Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 4/07 | HR 1363 | 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (247 - 181) |
| 4/06 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 62) |
| 4/05 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 4/05 | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| 4/05 | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| 4/05 | HR 4 | Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| 4/05 | HB 60 | Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28) |
| 4/05 | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 4/05 | S 87 | Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| 4/04 | A 4578 | Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| 4/01 | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| 4/01 | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| 4/01 | H Amdt 232 | Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities | Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209) |
| 4/01 | H Amdt 6 | Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61) |
| 4/01 | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 4/01 | SB 1619 | Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 4/01 | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 196) |
| 3/31 | SB 104 | Labor Representatives | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 3/31 | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (83 - 7) |
| 3/30 | SB 17 | Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - House (96 - 67) |
| 3/30 | HB 519 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (251 - 108) |
| 3/30 | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
| 3/30 | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (50 - 17) |
| 3/29 | H 187 | Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/29 | SB 5251 | Electric Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 3/29 | HR 839 | Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program | Bill Passed - House (252 - 170) |
| 3/29 | SB 5251 | Electric Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 3/29 | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Bill Failed - House (53 - 41) |
| 3/28 | HB 1190 | Prohibits Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| 3/28 | HB 1195 | Bans Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |