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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2007 | IA | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| March 13, 2007 | ID | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 9, 2007 | ND | SB 2417 | Verifying Employee Work Status | Bill Failed - House (18 - 70) |
| March 8, 2007 | OR | HB 2707 | Oregon Rainy Day Fund | Bill Passed - House (48 - 9) |
| March 8, 2007 | IA | SF 413 | Fair Share Union Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 7, 2007 | SC | H 3505 | Jasper County Port Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35) |
| March 7, 2007 | IA | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| March 6, 2007 | OK | SCS SB 709 | Pollution Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| March 2, 2007 | SD | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
| March 2, 2007 | ND | HCR 3052 | In-State Lottery | Joint Resolution Failed - House (14 - 75) |
| March 1, 2007 | NM | SB 324 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| Feb. 28, 2007 | WV | Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 | Greenhouse Gas Inventory | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| Feb. 28, 2007 | CO | HB 1269 | Casino Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | IN | SB 577 | State Lottery Privatization | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | ID | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Bill Passed - House (48 - 17) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4045 | Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (60 - 49) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4046 | Pharmaceutical Company Liability | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | NH | SB 42 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4044 | Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | VA | H Sub to Sub SB 1416 | Regulation of Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (82 - 16) |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | KY | HCS HB 305 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (89 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | NH | HB 143 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - House (202 - 150) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | MD | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (122 - 16) |
| Feb. 19, 2007 | MN | SF 372 | Legalization of Ticket Scalping | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | WV | Com Sub HB 2718 | Racetrack Table Games | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | WA | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | MS | HB 247 | Cigarette Excise Tax Increase and Food Sales Tax Decrease | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | ND | SB 2397 | Oil Well Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | CO | HB 1011 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 30) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | SB 196 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 13, 2007 | ND | SB 2122 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26) |
| Feb. 13, 2007 | OR | HB 2203 | Expanding Payday and Title Loan Regulations | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| Feb. 12, 2007 | SD | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | ND | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | SD | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | IN | HB 1132 | Notification of Plant Closure or Mass Layoff | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | WY | HB 128 | Multi-State Lottery | Bill Failed - House (27 - 31) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | CO | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1327 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Feb. 2, 2007 | NM | SB 324 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7) |
| Feb. 1, 2007 | IA | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| Jan. 30, 2007 | IN | HB 1027 | Minimum Wage Increase and Estate/Death Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | VA | SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | KS | HB 2034 | Increase in Electric and Gas Utility Rate | Bill Passed - House (65 - 54) |
| Jan. 22, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0) |
| Jan. 22, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2) |
| Jan. 22, 2007 | CO | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
| Jan. 9, 2007 | MS | HB 237 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
| Jan. 7, 2007 | IL | SB 1714 | Competitive Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| Jan. 5, 2007 | National | H Res 6 | Pay-As-You-Go Rule | Resolution Passed - House (280 - 152) |
| Nov. 15, 2006 | IL | SB 1275 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21) |
| Sept. 19, 2006 | National | HR 5684 | U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32) |
| Sept. 13, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4999 | Security of Cargo Containers Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Failed - House (33 - 40) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 26, 2006 | National | HR 5682 | U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (359 - 68) |
| July 20, 2006 | National | HR 5684 | U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation | Bill Passed - House (221 - 205) |
| July 14, 2006 | IA | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8) |
| July 14, 2006 | IA | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| July 12, 2006 | National | HR 2990 | Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 166) |
| July 10, 2006 | CO | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18) |
| July 10, 2006 | CO | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| July 10, 2006 | NC | HB 2174 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4901 | Sales Tax Bill of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (41 - 38) |
| July 8, 2006 | CO | HB 1020 | Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4901 | Sales Tax Bill of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/13 | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| 3/13 | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 3/09 | SB 2417 | Verifying Employee Work Status | Bill Failed - House (18 - 70) |
| 3/08 | HB 2707 | Oregon Rainy Day Fund | Bill Passed - House (48 - 9) |
| 3/08 | SF 413 | Fair Share Union Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 3/07 | H 3505 | Jasper County Port Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35) |
| 3/07 | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 3/06 | SCS SB 709 | Pollution Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| 3/02 | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
| 3/02 | HCR 3052 | In-State Lottery | Joint Resolution Failed - House (14 - 75) |
| 3/01 | SB 324 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| 2/28 | Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 | Greenhouse Gas Inventory | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 2/28 | HB 1269 | Casino Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| 2/27 | SB 577 | State Lottery Privatization | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 2/23 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
| 2/23 | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Bill Passed - House (48 - 17) |
| 2/22 | HB 4045 | Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (60 - 49) |
| 2/22 | HB 4046 | Pharmaceutical Company Liability | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
| 2/22 | SB 42 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| 2/22 | HB 4044 | Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
| 2/21 | H Sub to Sub SB 1416 | Regulation of Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (82 - 16) |
| 2/21 | HCS HB 305 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (89 - 10) |
| 2/21 | HB 143 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - House (202 - 150) |
| 2/20 | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (122 - 16) |
| 2/19 | SF 372 | Legalization of Ticket Scalping | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15) |
| 2/16 | Com Sub HB 2718 | Racetrack Table Games | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| 2/16 | Sub SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
| 2/16 | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| 2/15 | HB 247 | Cigarette Excise Tax Increase and Food Sales Tax Decrease | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 2/15 | SB 2397 | Oil Well Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 2/14 | HB 1011 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 30) |
| 2/14 | SB 196 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 2/13 | SB 2122 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26) |
| 2/13 | HB 2203 | Expanding Payday and Title Loan Regulations | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| 2/12 | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 2/08 | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
| 2/08 | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| 2/07 | HB 1132 | Notification of Plant Closure or Mass Layoff | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| 2/05 | HB 128 | Multi-State Lottery | Bill Failed - House (27 - 31) |
| 2/05 | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 2/05 | Sub SB 1327 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
| 2/05 | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 2/02 | SB 324 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7) |
| 2/01 | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| 1/30 | HB 1027 | Minimum Wage Increase and Estate/Death Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| 1/26 | SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| 1/26 | HB 2034 | Increase in Electric and Gas Utility Rate | Bill Passed - House (65 - 54) |
| 1/22 | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0) |
| 1/22 | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2) |
| 1/22 | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
| 1/09 | HB 237 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
| 1/07 | SB 1714 | Competitive Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| 1/05 | H Res 6 | Pay-As-You-Go Rule | Resolution Passed - House (280 - 152) |
| 11/15 | SB 1275 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21) |
| 9/19 | HR 5684 | U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32) |
| 9/13 | S Amdt 4999 | Security of Cargo Containers Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| 8/31 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 8/31 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
| 8/31 | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Failed - House (33 - 40) |
| 8/30 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 8/30 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| 8/30 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/29 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 8/29 | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 7/26 | HR 5682 | U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (359 - 68) |
| 7/20 | HR 5684 | U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation | Bill Passed - House (221 - 205) |
| 7/14 | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8) |
| 7/14 | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| 7/12 | HR 2990 | Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 166) |
| 7/10 | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18) |
| 7/10 | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 7/10 | HB 2174 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| 7/08 | A 4901 | Sales Tax Bill of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (41 - 38) |
| 7/08 | HB 1020 | Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 7/08 | A 4901 | Sales Tax Bill of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |