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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2006 | National | HR 4890 | Line Item Veto Bill | Bill Passed - House (247 - 172) |
| 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 20, 2006 | National | HR 5631 | Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (407 - 19) |
| June 20, 2006 | MI | HB 6213 | Overtime Provisions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| June 16, 2006 | National | H Res 861 | Global War on Terror | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| 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 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 7, 2006 | National | HR 5521 | Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (361 - 53) |
| June 6, 2006 | PA | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| June 6, 2006 | LA | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| May 31, 2006 | SC | S 1267 | Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27) |
| May 31, 2006 | CA | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | Bill Passed - House (48 - 32) |
| May 31, 2006 | CA | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | 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 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 2378 | Affordable Housing Bill | Bill Passed - House (49 - 27) |
| May 30, 2006 | MI | HB 6085 | Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License | Bill Passed - House (76 - 27) |
| May 30, 2006 | NC | HB 2174 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (72 - 43) |
| May 26, 2006 | OK | SB 1800 | Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8) |
| May 26, 2006 | OK | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5) |
| 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 | 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 | SC | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |
| May 25, 2006 | CA | AB 2108 | Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements | Bill Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| May 25, 2006 | CA | AB 2122 | Shareholder Distribution Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (48 - 32) |
| May 24, 2006 | NH | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121) |
| May 24, 2006 | NH | HB 656 | "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165) |
| May 24, 2006 | NH | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121) |
| May 24, 2006 | ME | LD 1021 | Police and Firefighter Insurance | Bill Passed - House (72 - 71) |
| May 24, 2006 | MA | H 4988 | Nurse Staffing Bill | Bill Passed - House (133 - 20) |
| May 23, 2006 | National | HR 5384 | Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (378 - 46) |
| May 22, 2006 | CA | AJR 51 | Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| 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 | MI | Amend | Welfare Ineligibility Extension | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47) |
| May 18, 2006 | MI | Amend | Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies | Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16) |
| 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 | SB 3895 | Revisions to TennCare | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| May 16, 2006 | MI | HB 5633 | English as the Official Language Bill | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| May 15, 2006 | CA | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 5) |
| May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| May 15, 2006 | CA | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 5) |
| May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| May 12, 2006 | MO | SCS HCS HB 1485 | Tax Credits for Donors to Pregnancy Centers and Children in Crisis Centers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 26) |
| May 12, 2006 | MO | SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 | Unemployment Compensation Changes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 65) |
| May 10, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185) |
| May 10, 2006 | SC | H 4932 | South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (85 - 18) |
| May 9, 2006 | RI | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
| May 5, 2006 | VT | H 865 | Non-Discrimination Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47) |
| May 5, 2006 | CO | SB 234 | Public Construction Bidding Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| May 5, 2006 | CO | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| May 5, 2006 | CA | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| May 4, 2006 | WI | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| May 4, 2006 | DE | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| May 4, 2006 | WI | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| May 4, 2006 | LA | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| May 3, 2006 | National | HR 4975 | 527 Reform Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 213) |
| May 2, 2006 | IA | SF 2408 | Elderly Income Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (89 - 6) |
| May 2, 2006 | CO | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/22 | HR 4890 | Line Item Veto Bill | Bill Passed - House (247 - 172) |
| 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) |
| 6/20 | HR 5631 | Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (407 - 19) |
| 6/20 | HB 6213 | Overtime Provisions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| 6/16 | H Res 861 | Global War on Terror | Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153) |
| 6/16 | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| 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) |
| 6/14 | 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) |
| 6/07 | HR 5521 | Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (361 - 53) |
| 6/06 | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| 6/06 | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| 5/31 | S 1267 | Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27) |
| 5/31 | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | Bill Passed - House (48 - 32) |
| 5/31 | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | 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 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 2378 | Affordable Housing Bill | Bill Passed - House (49 - 27) |
| 5/30 | HB 6085 | Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License | Bill Passed - House (76 - 27) |
| 5/30 | HB 2174 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (72 - 43) |
| 5/26 | SB 1800 | Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8) |
| 5/26 | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5) |
| 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 | 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 | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |
| 5/25 | AB 2108 | Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements | Bill Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| 5/25 | AB 2122 | Shareholder Distribution Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (48 - 32) |
| 5/24 | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121) |
| 5/24 | HB 656 | "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165) |
| 5/24 | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121) |
| 5/24 | LD 1021 | Police and Firefighter Insurance | Bill Passed - House (72 - 71) |
| 5/24 | H 4988 | Nurse Staffing Bill | Bill Passed - House (133 - 20) |
| 5/23 | HR 5384 | Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (378 - 46) |
| 5/22 | AJR 51 | Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| 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 | Amend | Welfare Ineligibility Extension | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47) |
| 5/18 | Amend | Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies | Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16) |
| 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 | SB 3895 | Revisions to TennCare | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| 5/16 | HB 5633 | English as the Official Language Bill | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| 5/15 | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 5) |
| 5/15 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| 5/15 | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 5) |
| 5/15 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| 5/12 | SCS HCS HB 1485 | Tax Credits for Donors to Pregnancy Centers and Children in Crisis Centers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 26) |
| 5/12 | SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 | Unemployment Compensation Changes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 65) |
| 5/10 | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185) |
| 5/10 | H 4932 | South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (85 - 18) |
| 5/09 | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
| 5/05 | H 865 | Non-Discrimination Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47) |
| 5/05 | SB 234 | Public Construction Bidding Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| 5/05 | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 5/05 | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| 5/04 | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| 5/04 | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| 5/04 | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| 5/04 | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| 5/04 | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 5/03 | HR 4975 | 527 Reform Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 213) |
| 5/02 | SF 2408 | Elderly Income Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (89 - 6) |
| 5/02 | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |