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.


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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)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Sept. 22, 2012 National H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
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. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
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 S Amdt 2573 Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2012 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
July 25, 2012 National S 3412 Middle Class Tax Cut Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
July 25, 2012 National HR 459 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (327 - 98)
July 19, 2012 National S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 12, 2012 National S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 6, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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 - Senate (31 - 10)
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 29, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 28, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
June 28, 2012 NJ A 3201 Increases the Income Tax Rate on Incomes Over $1 million Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
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 21, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 13, 2012 DE SB 204 Extends the Gun Buy-back Program Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 13)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
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 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
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 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 - Senate (17 - 6)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
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 Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
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 29, 2012 IL SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 25, 2012 IL SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
May 24, 2012 IL SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
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 22, 2012 OK SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
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 - Senate (29 - 6)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
May 16, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
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 15, 2012 MD SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
May 10, 2012 MI SB 1067 Personal Property Taxes: Continuation of Existing Exemptions for Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 10, 2012 MI SB 1069 Personal Property Taxes: Credit for New Industrial Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 10, 2012 MI SB 1070 Establishes a Tax Exemption for Eligible Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 10, 2012 MI SB 1072 Personal Property Taxes: Credit for Loss of Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
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 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 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
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 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
May 3, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 16)
May 3, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
May 1, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
April 25, 2012 OK HB 3061 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 25, 2012 OH HB 487 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
April 24, 2012 AZ HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
April 19, 2012 National HR 9 Income Tax Deduction for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (235 - 173)
April 16, 2012 National S 2230 Establishes a Minimum 30 Percent Tax Rate for High-Income Taxpayers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
April 12, 2012 IA S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
April 10, 2012 HI SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
April 10, 2012 CO SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 7, 2012 WA SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
March 29, 2012 ID H 563 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
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)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
9/22 H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
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)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
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 S Amdt 2573 Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2012 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
7/25 S 3412 Middle Class Tax Cut Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
7/25 HR 459 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (327 - 98)
7/19 S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/12 S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/06 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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 - Senate (31 - 10)
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)
6/29 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/28 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
6/28 A 3201 Increases the Income Tax Rate on Incomes Over $1 million Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
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)
6/21 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/13 SB 204 Extends the Gun Buy-back Program Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 13)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
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 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
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 - Senate (17 - 6)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 49)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
5/31 HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
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)
5/29 SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/25 SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
5/24 SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
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)
5/22 SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
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 - Senate (29 - 6)
5/16 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28)
5/16 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
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)
5/15 SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
5/10 SB 1067 Personal Property Taxes: Continuation of Existing Exemptions for Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/10 SB 1069 Personal Property Taxes: Credit for New Industrial Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/10 SB 1070 Establishes a Tax Exemption for Eligible Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/10 SB 1072 Personal Property Taxes: Credit for Loss of Personal Property Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
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)
5/08 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 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
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 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
5/03 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 16)
5/03 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
5/01 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
4/25 HB 3061 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/25 HB 487 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
4/24 HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
4/19 HR 9 Income Tax Deduction for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (235 - 173)
4/16 S 2230 Establishes a Minimum 30 Percent Tax Rate for High-Income Taxpayers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
4/12 S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
4/11 HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/11 HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/11 HB 2127 Authorizes Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
4/10 SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
4/10 SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/07 SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
3/29 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
3/29 H 563 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)

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