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
April 23, 2014 IA SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
March 27, 2014 IA HF 2438 Establishes a Retroactive Heavy Equipment Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 5, 2014 IA SF 2079 Increases School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
May 23, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
May 22, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
May 1, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
April 30, 2013 IA HF 638 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 23, 2013 IA SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
April 18, 2013 IA HF 604 2013-2014 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 17, 2013 IA SF 295 Establishes a Business Property Tax Credit Fund Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
April 17, 2013 IA SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 430 2013-2014 Economic Development Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 3, 2013 IA SF 430 2013-2014 Economic Development Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 1, 2013 IA SF 429 2013-14 Community Colleges Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 26, 2013 IA SF 423 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 20, 2013 IA SF 422 Increases Earned Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
March 13, 2013 IA HF 478 Authorizes an Alternative Flat Income Tax Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
Feb. 19, 2013 IA HF 215 Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 14, 2013 IA SF 162 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 IA SF 161 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Jan. 30, 2013 IA SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
May 8, 2012 IA SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
May 8, 2012 IA SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
May 7, 2012 IA HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 12, 2012 IA S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
Feb. 14, 2012 IA HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
June 8, 2011 IA HF 697 State Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (54 - 38)
May 10, 2011 IA SF 522 Establishing a Property Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 30, 2010 IA HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 30, 2010 IA HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 22, 2010 IA Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
March 19, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
March 17, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 10, 2010 IA Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
Feb. 12, 2010 IA Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
Feb. 4, 2010 IA SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 1, 2010 IA SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 13, 2010 IA SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 24, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Jan. 27, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 24, 2008 IA SF 2432 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 17, 2008 IA S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
April 17, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 16, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
April 15, 2008 IA S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
April 15, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 10, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
3/27 HF 2438 Establishes a Retroactive Heavy Equipment Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/05 SF 2079 Increases School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
5/23 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
5/22 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
5/01 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
4/30 HF 638 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/23 SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
4/18 HF 604 2013-2014 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/17 SF 295 Establishes a Business Property Tax Credit Fund Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
4/17 SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/16 SF 430 2013-2014 Economic Development Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
4/16 SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/16 SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/16 SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/03 SF 430 2013-2014 Economic Development Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/01 SF 429 2013-14 Community Colleges Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/26 SF 423 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/20 SF 422 Increases Earned Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
3/13 HF 478 Authorizes an Alternative Flat Income Tax Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
2/19 HF 215 Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/14 SF 162 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/14 SF 161 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
1/30 SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
5/08 SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
5/08 SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
5/07 HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/12 S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
2/14 HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
6/08 HF 697 State Budget for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (54 - 38)
5/10 SF 522 Establishing a Property Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
2/16 HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/16 SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/30 HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/30 HF 2531 Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/22 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/22 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/22 Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
3/19 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
3/17 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/16 SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/16 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/10 Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
2/12 Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
2/04 SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/01 SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/13 SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/25 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/24 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/26 HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/26 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/24 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
1/29 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
1/27 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/25 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/24 SF 2432 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/17 S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
4/17 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/16 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
4/15 S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
4/15 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/10 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)

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