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 7, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
March 6, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
March 6, 2006 OK SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
March 3, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
March 1, 2006 KY HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
March 1, 2006 CT HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2006 UT 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2006 MO SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2006 ID H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
Feb. 23, 2006 WY SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
Feb. 15, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 15, 2006 KS Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2006 WA Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2006 KY HB 163 State Request for Federal Drug Importation Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
Feb. 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Jan. 26, 2006 IN HB 1142 Skills 2016 Training Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Jan. 26, 2006 UT HB 109 Sales and Use Tax on Food Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
Jan. 25, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - House (65 - 40)
Jan. 20, 2006 UT SB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Jan. 17, 2006 MD HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
Jan. 11, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (90 - 30)
Jan. 10, 2006 ME LD 1690 Race Tracks and Casinos in Washington County Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 77)
Jan. 6, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 MS HB 206 Bonds for Economic Development Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
July 28, 2005 National HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
July 28, 2005 National HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
July 26, 2005 National S Amdt 1351 Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
July 20, 2005 National HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
June 30, 2005 National S 1307 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 45)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 270 Bans Use of Funds to Enforce Cuba Regulations Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216)
June 9, 2005 National H J Res 27 Withdrawing Approval from the WTO Agreement Joint Resolution Failed - House (86 - 338)
April 14, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
March 10, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
Oct. 11, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
Oct. 11, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
Oct. 7, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Oct. 7, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
July 8, 2004 National HR 4754 Commerce Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (397 - 18)
May 11, 2004 National S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
May 11, 2004 National S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
March 18, 2004 National HR 1375 Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (392 - 25)
March 10, 2004 National HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
March 3, 2004 National HR 1561 US Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (379 - 28)
Jan. 28, 2004 National S 1920 Farmer Bankruptcy Bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 99)
July 31, 2003 National HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
July 31, 2003 National HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
July 24, 2003 National HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 156)
July 24, 2003 National HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
Aug. 1, 2002 National HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
July 31, 2002 National S 812 Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21)
July 27, 2002 National HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
July 15, 2002 National S 2673 Accounting Industry Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
June 18, 2002 National S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
Dec. 6, 2001 National HR 3005 Fast Track Trade Authority bill Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
July 19, 2001 National H J Res 50 China Trade Relations bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (169 - 259)
Sept. 26, 2000 National HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
Sept. 19, 2000 National HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
Sept. 13, 2000 National S Amdt 4132 China Nonproliferation Act Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 32)
July 13, 2000 National S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
June 21, 2000 National H J Res 90 WTO Withdrawal resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (56 - 363)
June 9, 2000 National H Amdt 763 Estate Tax Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 222)
May 24, 2000 National HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (237 - 197)
May 11, 2000 National HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
May 4, 2000 National HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - House (309 - 110)
March 9, 2000 National HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
Feb. 16, 2000 National HR 2366 Small Business Liability Reform bill Bill Passed - House (221 - 193)
Feb. 2, 2000 National HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
Nov. 3, 1999 National HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 19)
Aug. 3, 1999 National H J Res 58 Economic Assistance to Vietnam Joint Resolution Failed - House (130 - 297)
July 27, 1999 National H J Res 57 China Trade resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (170 - 260)
July 1, 1999 National HR 10 Financial Modernization bill Bill Passed - House (343 - 86)
May 5, 1999 National HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - House (313 - 108)
March 17, 1999 National HR 975 Steel Import Limitation bill Bill Passed - House (289 - 141)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/07 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
3/06 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
3/06 SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
3/03 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
3/01 HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
3/01 HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
2/28 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
2/28 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/27 SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
2/27 H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/24 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
2/23 SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/21 HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/16 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
2/15 HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
2/15 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/15 Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
2/14 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
2/13 HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
2/13 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/10 Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/08 HB 163 State Request for Federal Drug Importation Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
2/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
2/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
1/26 HB 1142 Skills 2016 Training Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
1/26 HB 109 Sales and Use Tax on Food Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
1/25 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
1/24 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - House (65 - 40)
1/20 SB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
1/19 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
1/17 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
1/12 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
1/11 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (90 - 30)
1/10 LD 1690 Race Tracks and Casinos in Washington County Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 77)
1/06 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
1/05 HB 206 Bonds for Economic Development Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
7/28 HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
7/28 HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
7/26 S Amdt 1351 Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
7/20 HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
6/30 S 1307 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 45)
6/15 H Amdt 270 Bans Use of Funds to Enforce Cuba Regulations Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216)
6/09 H J Res 27 Withdrawing Approval from the WTO Agreement Joint Resolution Failed - House (86 - 338)
4/14 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
3/10 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
10/11 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
10/11 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
10/07 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
10/07 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
7/08 HR 4754 Commerce Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (397 - 18)
5/11 S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
5/11 S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
3/18 HR 1375 Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (392 - 25)
3/10 HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
3/03 HR 1561 US Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (379 - 28)
1/28 S 1920 Farmer Bankruptcy Bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 99)
7/31 HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
7/31 HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
7/24 HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 156)
7/24 HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
8/01 HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
7/31 S 812 Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21)
7/27 HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
7/15 S 2673 Accounting Industry Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
6/18 S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
12/06 HR 3005 Fast Track Trade Authority bill Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
7/19 H J Res 50 China Trade Relations bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (169 - 259)
9/26 HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
9/19 HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
9/13 S Amdt 4132 China Nonproliferation Act Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 32)
7/13 S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
6/21 H J Res 90 WTO Withdrawal resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (56 - 363)
6/09 H Amdt 763 Estate Tax Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 222)
5/24 HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (237 - 197)
5/11 HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
5/04 HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - House (309 - 110)
3/09 HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
2/16 HR 2366 Small Business Liability Reform bill Bill Passed - House (221 - 193)
2/02 HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
11/03 HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 19)
8/03 H J Res 58 Economic Assistance to Vietnam Joint Resolution Failed - House (130 - 297)
7/27 H J Res 57 China Trade resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (170 - 260)
7/01 HR 10 Financial Modernization bill Bill Passed - House (343 - 86)
5/05 HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - House (313 - 108)
3/17 HR 975 Steel Import Limitation bill Bill Passed - House (289 - 141)

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