Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 18, 2008 KS Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 KS Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 17, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4309 Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
March 13, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 12, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 11, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 10, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 7, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 6, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 6, 2008 FL SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 6, 2008 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 6, 2008 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 5, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
March 5, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 WI SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 3, 2008 NJ S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 3, 2008 CO SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2008 GA SB 506 Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Feb. 29, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Feb. 29, 2008 ID S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2008 MN GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S Amdt 3896 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 42)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2008 KY SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2008 National S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2008 MD SB 243 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 MD SB 111 Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
3/19 SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/18 Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/18 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/17 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/14 SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
3/13 S Amdt 4309 Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40)
3/13 S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
3/13 S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
3/13 S Amdt 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
3/13 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/12 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/12 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/11 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/10 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/07 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/06 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/06 SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/06 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/06 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/05 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
3/05 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/03 S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/03 SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/29 SB 506 Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
2/29 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
2/29 S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/28 GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
2/27 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
2/27 SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
2/27 SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
2/26 S Amdt 3896 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 42)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/26 SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/26 S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/25 S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)
2/25 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/22 SB 243 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 SB 111 Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
2/21 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/21 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/21 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)

arrow_upward