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
June 30, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
June 29, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
June 28, 2006 PA A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 22, 2006 National S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
June 22, 2006 NJ A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 22, 2006 National HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
June 21, 2006 NY S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
June 21, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
June 21, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
June 20, 2006 MI HB 6213 Overtime Provisions Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
June 20, 2006 National HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 5)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
June 16, 2006 National H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
June 15, 2006 DE HA 5 Minimum Wage Exception Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (16 - 24)
June 15, 2006 DE SB 62 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
June 15, 2006 MD HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
June 14, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
June 14, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
June 12, 2006 PA HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
June 8, 2006 LA HB 144 Equal Pay Bill Bill Failed - House (40 - 54)
June 8, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
June 7, 2006 National S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
June 7, 2006 National HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
June 6, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 106 Labor Unions Bill Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 26)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 31, 2006 SC H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
May 31, 2006 SC S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2378 Affordable Housing Bill Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 30, 2006 NC HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
May 26, 2006 TN HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
May 25, 2006 SC Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
May 25, 2006 SC Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
May 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 National S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
May 25, 2006 CA AB 2122 Shareholder Distribution Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 25, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
May 25, 2006 SC S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 National S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
May 24, 2006 ME LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
May 24, 2006 ME LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Bill Passed - House (72 - 71)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
May 22, 2006 CA AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
May 17, 2006 National S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 17, 2006 TN SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 16, 2006 MI HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 15, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/30 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
6/29 Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
6/28 A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/22 S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
6/22 A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/22 HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
6/21 S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
6/21 S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
6/21 S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
6/21 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
6/21 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
6/20 HB 6213 Overtime Provisions Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
6/20 HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
6/16 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 5)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
6/16 H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
6/15 HA 5 Minimum Wage Exception Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (16 - 24)
6/15 SB 62 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
6/15 HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
6/14 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
6/14 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
6/12 HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
6/08 HB 144 Equal Pay Bill Bill Failed - House (40 - 54)
6/08 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
6/07 S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
6/07 HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
6/06 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
6/01 SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/01 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/01 SB 106 Labor Unions Bill Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 26)
6/01 SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/31 H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
5/31 S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
5/31 AB 2378 Affordable Housing Bill Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
5/31 AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
5/31 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/31 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/31 AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
5/31 AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
5/31 AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/30 HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/30 SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/26 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
5/26 HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
5/25 Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
5/25 Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
5/25 S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
5/25 AB 2122 Shareholder Distribution Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/25 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
5/25 S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
5/24 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
5/24 HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
5/24 HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
5/24 LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
5/24 LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Bill Passed - House (72 - 71)
5/23 S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
5/23 SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
5/23 SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
5/22 AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
5/18 Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
5/18 Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
5/18 Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
5/18 S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
5/18 S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
5/17 S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/17 SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/16 HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/15 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)

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