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. 19, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Dec. 16, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5205 | Defines Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Resource | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 1130 | Amends Public Health Code to Include Hepatitis C Virus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Dec. 2, 2014 | MI | SB 1150 | Reduces Maximum Weight Limit of a Vehicle | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | HB 490 | Limits Use of Manure and Fertilizers | Bill Passed - House (73 - 20) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | National | HR 4012 | Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 190) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2270 | Authorizes Certain Terminally Ill Individuals to Use Life-Ending Medication | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| Oct. 14, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Sept. 24, 2014 | PA | SB 1182 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| Sept. 23, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| Sept. 22, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84) |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1141 | Authorizes Aid to Syrian Opposition | Amendment Adopted - House (273 - 156) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Bill Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |
| Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 2198 | Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 13) |
| July 31, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | (81 - 13) |
| July 30, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 18) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3583 | Appropriates Funds to the Highway Trust Fund | Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 31) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3585 | Exempts Infrastructure Damaged by Natural Disasters from Environmental Reviews | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
| July 28, 2014 | NC | HB 1181 | Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| July 25, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1093 | Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from Providing Bonuses to Employees | Amendment Adopted - House (282 - 138) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1083 | Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates | Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1086 | Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | HR 5016 | Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2015 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
| July 15, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (367 - 55) |
| July 9, 2014 | National | PN 1736 | Nomination of Julian Castro to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 26) |
| July 8, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
| July 2, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (119 - 80) |
| July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| July 1, 2014 | DE | SB 220 | Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief | Bill Passed - House (27 - 10) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 220 | Appropriates Funds for State Casino Relief | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
| June 23, 2014 | CA | AB 129 | Repeals Prohibition on Currency Other than the Lawful Money of the United States | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 11) |
| June 20, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (117 - 13) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 908 | Prohibits United States Combat Operations in Iraq | Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 250) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 912 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used Pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 231) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 905 | Prohibits Transfer of Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Any Foreign Country | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 184) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 907 | Repeals Prohibition on Guantanamo Bay Detainee Transfers and Facility Construction | Amendment Rejected - House (163 - 249) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 901 | Prohibits Transfer of Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Yemen | Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 179) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 10144 | Reduces New York City Speed Limit | Bill Passed - House (113 - 16) |
| June 17, 2014 | RI | S 2690A | Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| June 16, 2014 | NJ | A 1577 | Requires Drivers to Give Cyclists and Pedestrians 4 Feet of Space on the Road | Bill Passed - House (50 - 21) |
| June 12, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 20) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| June 11, 2014 | National | S 2432 | Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 38) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 813 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement a Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 207) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 815 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras | Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 815 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras | Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 813 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement a Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 207) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 823 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the California High-Speed Rail | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 186) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 823 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the California High-Speed Rail | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 186) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | HR 4745 | Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | HR 4745 | Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| June 9, 2014 | National | H Amdt 783 | Reduces Appropriations to Amtrak | Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 248) |
| May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 738 | Authorizes Funds to be Used for Guantanamo Bay Operations | Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 230) |
| May 29, 2014 | IL | SB 741 | Expands Medicaid Services | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 10) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 837 | Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 28, 2014 | IL | SB 741 | Expands Medicaid Services | Bill Passed - House (75 - 37) |
| May 28, 2014 | MA | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - House (131 - 19) |
| May 28, 2014 | OH | SB 310 | Amends Energy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 27, 2014 | IL | HB 3836 | Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 29) |
| May 23, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8) |
| May 23, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8) |
| May 22, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 34) |
| May 22, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 679 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement the New START Treaty | Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 191) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 675 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Guantanmo Bay Operations | Amendment Rejected - House (177 - 247) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |