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
Feb. 17, 2011 MN SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - House (81 - 50)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 16, 2011 ID H 117 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
Feb. 16, 2011 National H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
Feb. 16, 2011 ND HCR 3016 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 16, 2011 OR HB 2336 Agriculture Regulation Exemptions Bill Passed - House (45 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2011 PA HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
Feb. 15, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2011 National H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 11, 2011 KS HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
Feb. 11, 2011 KY SB 110 Relating to Optometry Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Feb. 10, 2011 ND HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 10, 2011 NM SB 124 Safeguarding Bicyclists Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2011 AZ SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 9, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2011 GA HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 8, 2011 CT HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
Feb. 8, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 MT HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA SB 1351 Wireless Telecommunication Devices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Feb. 7, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2011 UT HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
Feb. 3, 2011 WY HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 13 Repealing the Federal Health Care Law Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 2, 2011 IA HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 2, 2011 MN SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14)
Feb. 2, 2011 NC HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2011 WY HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 VA HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Feb. 1, 2011 WY SJ 2 Health Care Decisions for Citizens Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 1, 2011 WY HB 35 Health Care Choice and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2011 IN HB 1018 Ban on Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Jan. 28, 2011 MT SB 104 Limitations on Electricity Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2011 AR SB 113 Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Jan. 27, 2011 MT SB 106 Lawsuit against Federal Health Care Law Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2011 MT SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
Jan. 26, 2011 AZ HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Jan. 25, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Jan. 25, 2011 IN SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2011 IN SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2011 AZ HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Jan. 24, 2011 MN SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition
Jan. 24, 2011 WY SF 51 Seat Belt Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 20, 2011 AZ SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2011 National HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
Jan. 18, 2011 MS HB 455 Payday Lending Provisions Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
Jan. 11, 2011 MO HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
Jan. 10, 2011 NJ S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/17 SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - House (81 - 50)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/17 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/16 H 117 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/16 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
2/16 H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
2/16 HCR 3016 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
2/16 SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/16 HB 2336 Agriculture Regulation Exemptions Bill Passed - House (45 - 13)
2/15 HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
2/15 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
2/15 S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
2/15 H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/11 HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
2/11 SB 110 Relating to Optometry Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
2/10 HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/10 SB 124 Safeguarding Bicyclists Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/10 SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/10 SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
2/09 HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/09 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
2/09 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/09 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/09 HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
2/09 HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/08 HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
2/08 HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
2/08 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
2/08 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
2/08 HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
2/08 SB 1351 Wireless Telecommunication Devices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/08 HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
2/08 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
2/07 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/07 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
2/03 HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
2/03 HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
2/02 S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
2/02 S Amdt 13 Repealing the Federal Health Care Law Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/02 HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/02 SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14)
2/02 HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/02 HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
2/01 HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
2/01 SJ 2 Health Care Decisions for Citizens Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/01 HB 35 Health Care Choice and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
1/31 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
1/31 HB 1018 Ban on Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
1/28 SB 104 Limitations on Electricity Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
1/27 SB 113 Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
1/27 SB 106 Lawsuit against Federal Health Care Law Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
1/27 SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
1/26 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
1/26 HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
1/26 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
1/25 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
1/25 SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
1/25 SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
1/25 HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
1/24 SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition
1/24 SF 51 Seat Belt Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/20 SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/19 HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
1/18 HB 455 Payday Lending Provisions Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
1/11 HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
1/10 S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 6)

arrow_upward