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
Jan. 30, 2008 KY SB 112 Restricting Public Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2008 CA AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 24, 2008 VA HB 852 Collective Bargaining for Governmental Employees Motion Rejected - House (43 - 55)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
Jan. 24, 2008 NM HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Jan. 23, 2008 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
Jan. 23, 2008 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 22, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 22, 2008 SD SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 22, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 21, 2008 VA HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 21, 2008 VA HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Jan. 16, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
Jan. 16, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SB 130 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Dec. 18, 2007 National S Amdt 3875 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 71)
Dec. 18, 2007 National HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
Dec. 17, 2007 National HR 2764 Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201)
Dec. 14, 2007 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI HB 5375 Promise Zones Bill Passed - House (71 - 34)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Dec. 12, 2007 National HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
Dec. 12, 2007 National HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 15, 2007 National HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Veto Override Failed - House (277 - 141)
Nov. 14, 2007 National HR 1429 Head Start Act of 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 36)
Nov. 13, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
Nov. 13, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
Nov. 8, 2007 National HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (274 - 141)
Nov. 7, 2007 National HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 37)
Nov. 7, 2007 National HR 3685 Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Nov. 1, 2007 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
Nov. 1, 2007 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/30 SB 112 Restricting Public Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
1/29 SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
1/29 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
1/29 AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/29 SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
1/29 SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/24 HB 852 Collective Bargaining for Governmental Employees Motion Rejected - House (43 - 55)
1/24 HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
1/24 HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
1/23 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
1/23 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/22 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/22 SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/22 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/21 HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/21 HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
1/15 SB 130 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
12/18 S Amdt 3875 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 71)
12/18 HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
12/17 HR 2764 Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201)
12/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
12/13 HB 5375 Promise Zones Bill Passed - House (71 - 34)
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
12/12 HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
12/12 HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
12/11 ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
11/29 Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
11/29 Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/15 HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Veto Override Failed - House (277 - 141)
11/14 HR 1429 Head Start Act of 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 36)
11/13 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
11/13 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
11/08 HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (274 - 141)
11/07 HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 37)
11/07 HR 3685 Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
11/01 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
11/01 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)

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