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
Nov. 19, 2009 National PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
Oct. 6, 2009 National S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Sept. 4, 2009 CA AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
Aug. 31, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
July 23, 2009 NC HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
July 6, 2009 NC SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
June 21, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
May 27, 2009 CT HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 26, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 4, 2009 VT Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 8, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 8, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 23, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 12, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
March 11, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 4, 2009 KS HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
March 3, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 3, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 25, 2009 GA SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 23, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 19, 2009 GA SB 42 Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Jan. 27, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/19 PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
10/06 S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
9/11 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
9/10 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
9/09 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/08 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
9/04 AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/03 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
8/31 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
7/23 HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
7/06 SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
6/21 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/12 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/09 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
5/27 HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/26 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/04 Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
5/04 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/01 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/22 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/22 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/08 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/08 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/23 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/16 S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/12 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
3/11 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
3/10 SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
3/09 HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
3/05 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/05 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/04 HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
3/04 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
3/03 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/03 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/25 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/25 HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/25 SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/24 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/23 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/19 SB 42 Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/18 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/04 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
1/27 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)

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