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
Dec. 20, 2012 National HR 6684 Spending Reduction Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (215 - 209)
Dec. 17, 2012 NJ S 581 Establishes Tax Credits for Investors in Small Business Technology Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80)
Sept. 13, 2012 National HR 6365 National Security and Job Protection Act Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20)
Aug. 13, 2012 CA AB 1500 Corporate Tax Rates and Middle Class Scholarship Fund Bill Passed - House (54 - 25)
Aug. 2, 2012 National HR 6169 Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (232 - 189)
Aug. 1, 2012 National HR 8 Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
July 31, 2012 National HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
July 25, 2012 National HR 459 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (327 - 98)
July 5, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
July 2, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
June 30, 2012 PA HB 761 Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56)
June 28, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 3201 Increases the Income Tax Rate on Incomes Over $1 million Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
June 21, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
June 8, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
June 8, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
June 7, 2012 National HR 436 Repeals Excise Tax on Medical Devices Bill Passed - House (270 - 146)
June 7, 2012 National HR 5855 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2013 Bill Passed - House (234 - 182)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
May 31, 2012 National H Amdt 1160 Project Labor Agreements Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198)
May 30, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 46)
May 25, 2012 IL SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
May 24, 2012 OK SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
May 24, 2012 IL SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (94 - 22)
May 24, 2012 OK SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Failed - House (47 - 47)
May 17, 2012 LA HB 822 Authorizes the Transfer of Funds Among State Agencies Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
May 16, 2012 MD SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
May 16, 2012 OH HB 510 Repeals the Corporate Franchise Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
May 15, 2012 IL HB 3859 Requires Publication of Reduced Tax Rates under the EDGE Program Bill Passed - House (84 - 26)
May 10, 2012 National HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
May 8, 2012 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33)
May 7, 2012 KS SB 313 Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (88 - 31)
May 7, 2012 IA HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
May 7, 2012 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - House (99 - 32)
May 3, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 16)
May 1, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
April 25, 2012 OH HB 487 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
April 19, 2012 National HR 9 Income Tax Deduction for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (235 - 173)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 10, 2012 HI SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
March 29, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
March 29, 2012 National H Con Res 112 Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191)
March 29, 2012 National H Con Res 112 Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191)
March 29, 2012 SC H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
March 28, 2012 AZ SB 1118 Appropriates Funds for Forest Restoration Bill Failed - House (18 - 40)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 28, 2012 NH H Amdt 917h Authorizing the Establishment of 4 Casinos Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 195)
March 27, 2012 LA HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
March 26, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
March 26, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
March 26, 2012 IL HB 5789 Establishes State Park Fees Bill Passed - House (81 - 29)
March 22, 2012 ID HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
March 21, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 19, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
March 13, 2012 KS Goodman Amdt Eliminates Sales Tax on Food Amendment Adopted - House (76 - 44)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
March 5, 2012 AZ HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
March 5, 2012 ID HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 5, 2012 AZ HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (41 - 17)
March 1, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
March 1, 2012 ID H 563 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 29, 2012 AK HB 118 Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
Feb. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
Feb. 15, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
Feb. 15, 2012 FL HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2012 IA HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
Feb. 14, 2012 AL HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
Feb. 13, 2012 MS HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - House (72 - 48)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 8, 2012 GA HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62)
Feb. 6, 2012 UT HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Feb. 3, 2012 National HR 3578 Amends Budget Baseline Bill Passed - House (235 - 177)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Jan. 19, 2012 MO HJR 43 Limits State Spending Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Jan. 18, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 HR 6684 Spending Reduction Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (215 - 209)
12/17 S 581 Establishes Tax Credits for Investors in Small Business Technology Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80)
9/13 HR 6365 National Security and Job Protection Act Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 20)
8/13 AB 1500 Corporate Tax Rates and Middle Class Scholarship Fund Bill Passed - House (54 - 25)
8/02 HR 6169 Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (232 - 189)
8/01 HR 8 Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
7/31 HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
7/25 HR 459 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (327 - 98)
7/05 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
7/02 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
6/30 HB 761 Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56)
6/28 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
6/25 A 3201 Increases the Income Tax Rate on Incomes Over $1 million Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
6/21 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 45)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
6/08 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
6/08 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
6/07 HR 436 Repeals Excise Tax on Medical Devices Bill Passed - House (270 - 146)
6/07 HR 5855 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2013 Bill Passed - House (234 - 182)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
5/31 H Amdt 1160 Project Labor Agreements Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 198)
5/30 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 46)
5/25 SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
5/24 SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
5/24 SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - House (94 - 22)
5/24 SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Failed - House (47 - 47)
5/17 HB 822 Authorizes the Transfer of Funds Among State Agencies Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
5/16 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
5/16 SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
5/16 HB 510 Repeals the Corporate Franchise Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
5/15 HB 3859 Requires Publication of Reduced Tax Rates under the EDGE Program Bill Passed - House (84 - 26)
5/10 HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
5/08 HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33)
5/07 SB 313 Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (88 - 31)
5/07 HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
5/07 HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - House (99 - 32)
5/03 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 16)
5/01 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
4/25 HB 487 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
4/19 HR 9 Income Tax Deduction for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (235 - 173)
4/11 HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
4/11 HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/10 SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
3/29 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
3/29 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
3/29 H Con Res 112 Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191)
3/29 H Con Res 112 Limits Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2013-2022 ("Ryan Budget") Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 191)
3/29 H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
3/28 SB 1118 Appropriates Funds for Forest Restoration Bill Failed - House (18 - 40)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/28 H Amdt 917h Authorizing the Establishment of 4 Casinos Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 195)
3/27 HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
3/26 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
3/26 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
3/26 HB 5789 Establishes State Park Fees Bill Passed - House (81 - 29)
3/22 HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
3/21 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/19 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
3/13 Goodman Amdt Eliminates Sales Tax on Food Amendment Adopted - House (76 - 44)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
3/07 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
3/05 HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
3/05 HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/05 HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (41 - 17)
3/01 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
3/01 H 563 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
3/01 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
2/29 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/29 HB 118 Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
2/15 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
2/15 HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
2/14 HF 2274 Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
2/14 HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
2/13 HCR 33 Amends the State Budget Process Bill Passed - House (72 - 48)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/08 HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62)
2/06 HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
2/03 HR 3578 Amends Budget Baseline Bill Passed - House (235 - 177)
2/02 SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
1/19 HJR 43 Limits State Spending Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 54)
1/18 CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
1/18 HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
1/18 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
1/18 CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)

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