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
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 29, 2008 KS HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 28, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 345 Penalties for Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 WV HB 4076 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 CO HB 1310 Payday Loan Restrictions Bill Passed - House (33 - 30)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4132 Prohibiting Mandatory Employee Participation in Political Events Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Feb. 18, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
Feb. 18, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 MI HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 14, 2008 KY HB 55 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 14, 2008 National H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 12, 2008 UT HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
Feb. 11, 2008 UT HB 239 Driver's License Requirements Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
Feb. 11, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
Feb. 8, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 4, 2008 ID H 366 Driver's License Residency Requirement Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 1, 2008 UT HB 237 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
Jan. 31, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 CA AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
Jan. 24, 2008 VA HB 852 Collective Bargaining for Governmental Employees Motion Rejected - House (43 - 55)
Jan. 24, 2008 NM HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
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. 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. 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 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. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Dec. 17, 2007 National HR 2764 Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/29 HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/28 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
2/28 SB 345 Penalties for Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
2/26 AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/26 HB 4076 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
2/26 HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
2/26 AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/25 HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/25 HB 1310 Payday Loan Restrictions Bill Passed - House (33 - 30)
2/25 HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/25 HB 4132 Prohibiting Mandatory Employee Participation in Political Events Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/20 HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
2/19 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
2/18 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
2/18 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
2/18 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
2/15 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
2/15 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
2/15 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
2/14 HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/14 HB 55 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/14 H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/12 HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
2/12 SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
2/12 SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
2/12 HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
2/11 HB 239 Driver's License Requirements Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
2/11 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
2/08 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/04 H 366 Driver's License Residency Requirement Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/01 HB 237 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
1/31 H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
1/31 H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
1/30 HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/29 AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
1/24 HB 852 Collective Bargaining for Governmental Employees Motion Rejected - House (43 - 55)
1/24 HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
1/24 HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
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)
1/21 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)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
1/15 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)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
12/17 HR 2764 Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201)
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)

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