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 25, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 25, 2008 AZ HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 20, 2008 NH SA 1051 to SB 527 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 15)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 527 Mandatory Abortion Counseling for Minors Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 14)
March 13, 2008 OH HB 314 Abortion and Ultrasound Bill Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
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 National S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
Feb. 7, 2008 KY SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Jan. 30, 2008 TN SA 839 Allowing Medically Necessary Abortions Bill Tabled - Senate (18 - 14)
Jan. 30, 2008 TN SA 841 Allowing Abortion for Rape Victims who are Minors Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 12)
Jan. 30, 2008 TN SA 837 Allowing Abortion in Certain Circumstances Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 11)
Jan. 30, 2008 TN SJR 127 Abortion Not Protected by State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 146 Pre-Abortion Notification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Oct. 18, 2007 National S Amdt 3330 Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 52)
Sept. 6, 2007 National S Amdt 2707 Prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
June 20, 2007 AZ HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
June 19, 2007 LA HB 25 Abortion Information Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
June 7, 2007 NH HB 184 Abortion Parental Notification Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
May 22, 2007 KS HCS SB 357 Disclosure for Late-Term Abortions Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
May 16, 2007 WI SB 129 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 4, 2007 FL CS HB 1497 Abortion Waiting Periods Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 3, 2007 TX CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
April 26, 2007 TX CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 25, 2007 IA Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
April 25, 2007 CT SB 1343 Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 23, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
April 11, 2007 GA SCS HB 147 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
March 29, 2007 DE SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 714 Ban on State-Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 8, 2007 MS SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2007 ID S 1082 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
Feb. 20, 2007 KY SB 179 Informed Abortion Consent Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Feb. 7, 2007 MS SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
Feb. 2, 2007 WY SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Jan. 30, 2007 CO SB 60 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
July 25, 2006 National S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
May 25, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 18, 2006 OK SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 7, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 3, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
April 26, 2006 LA Amdt 1923 Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 20)
April 26, 2006 LA SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life of the Woman Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 11, 2006 HI HB 1242 Intentional Termination of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 4, 2006 AZ HB 2254 Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 9, 2006 TN SJR 127 Relating to Abortion in the Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 2, 2006 AZ SB 1325 Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban on Ballot Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Oct. 21, 2003 National S 3 Prohibit Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
June 21, 2002 National S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3252 Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 49)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S Amdt 2321 Expressing Support for Roe v. Wade Decision Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
May 26, 1999 National S Amdt 397 Overseas Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 18, 1998 National HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (64 - 36)
June 25, 1998 National S Amdt 2794 Overseas Military Hospital Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 49)
Sept. 4, 1997 National S Amdt 1077 Fetal Tissue Research Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 60)
July 22, 1997 National S Amdt 936 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45)
July 10, 1997 National S Amdt 593 Abortions at Overseas Military Facilities Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
May 20, 1997 National HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Sept. 26, 1996 National HR 1833 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Veto Override Failed - Senate (58 - 40)
June 19, 1996 National S Amdt 4059 Overseas Abortion Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 51)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/25 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/25 HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/20 SA 1051 to SB 527 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 15)
3/20 SB 527 Mandatory Abortion Counseling for Minors Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 14)
3/13 HB 314 Abortion and Ultrasound Bill Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/26 S Amdt 3896 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 42)
2/26 S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
2/07 SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
1/30 SA 839 Allowing Medically Necessary Abortions Bill Tabled - Senate (18 - 14)
1/30 SA 841 Allowing Abortion for Rape Victims who are Minors Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 12)
1/30 SA 837 Allowing Abortion in Certain Circumstances Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 11)
1/30 SJR 127 Abortion Not Protected by State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
1/29 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
1/29 SB 146 Pre-Abortion Notification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/29 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
1/24 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
10/18 S Amdt 3330 Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 52)
9/06 S Amdt 2707 Prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
6/20 HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
6/19 HB 25 Abortion Information Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
6/07 HB 184 Abortion Parental Notification Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
5/22 HCS SB 357 Disclosure for Late-Term Abortions Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
5/16 SB 129 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/04 CS HB 1497 Abortion Waiting Periods Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/03 CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
4/26 CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/25 Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
4/25 SB 1343 Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/23 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
4/11 SCS HB 147 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
3/29 SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/28 HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/13 SB 714 Ban on State-Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/08 SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
2/28 Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
2/26 S 1082 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/23 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
2/20 SB 179 Informed Abortion Consent Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
2/07 SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
2/02 SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
1/30 SB 60 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
7/25 S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
5/25 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/18 SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/07 HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/03 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
4/26 Amdt 1923 Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 20)
4/26 SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life of the Woman Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/11 HB 1242 Intentional Termination of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/11 HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/04 HB 2254 Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/09 SJR 127 Relating to Abortion in the Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/02 SB 1325 Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
2/22 S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban on Ballot Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
10/21 S 3 Prohibit Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
6/21 S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
6/20 S Amdt 3252 Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 49)
10/21 S Amdt 2321 Expressing Support for Roe v. Wade Decision Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47)
10/21 S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
5/26 S Amdt 397 Overseas Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
9/18 HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (64 - 36)
6/25 S Amdt 2794 Overseas Military Hospital Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 49)
9/04 S Amdt 1077 Fetal Tissue Research Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 60)
7/22 S Amdt 936 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45)
7/10 S Amdt 593 Abortions at Overseas Military Facilities Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
5/20 HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
9/26 HR 1833 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Veto Override Failed - Senate (58 - 40)
6/19 S Amdt 4059 Overseas Abortion Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 51)

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