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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 7, 2006 | MS | HB 1090 | Juvenile Sentencing | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| Feb. 7, 2006 | MS | HB 1090 | Juvenile Sentencing | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| Feb. 7, 2006 | MS | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 6, 2006 | ID | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| Feb. 6, 2006 | SD | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
| Feb. 4, 2006 | NM | HB 211 | Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance | Bill Passed - House (42 - 20) |
| Feb. 3, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Feb. 3, 2006 | VA | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | SB 253 | Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | AK | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | AK | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | AK | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | IN | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | WI | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | VA | SB 362 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | NM | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | NM | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | IN | SB 145 | Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| Jan. 27, 2006 | WA | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Jan. 27, 2006 | MS | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| Jan. 27, 2006 | MS | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| Jan. 27, 2006 | WA | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| Jan. 26, 2006 | WI | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Jan. 26, 2006 | RI | H 6700 Sub A | Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
| Jan. 25, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Jan. 24, 2006 | IN | SB 88 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| Jan. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Jan. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Jan. 20, 2006 | WA | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| Jan. 17, 2006 | WI | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| Jan. 12, 2006 | MS | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (95 - 25) |
| Jan. 12, 2006 | MS | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (95 - 25) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2783 | Age Restrictions for the Purchase of Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NY | A 2302 | Childproof Firearms Sales | Bill Passed - House (91 - 44) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NY | A 2466 | Assault Weapon Definition Amendments | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NY | A 2302 | Childproof Firearms Sales | Bill Passed - House (91 - 44) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NY | A 2466 | Assault Weapon Definition Amendments | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| Jan. 3, 2006 | RI | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Jan. 3, 2006 | RI | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
| Dec. 19, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106) |
| Dec. 19, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106) |
| Dec. 16, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Dec. 16, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Dec. 16, 2005 | National | HR 4437 | Border Security Bill | Bill Passed - House (239 - 182) |
| Dec. 14, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174) |
| Dec. 14, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174) |
| Nov. 16, 2005 | National | HR 2862 | Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5) |
| Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2523 | Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2524 | Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
| Nov. 10, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2516 | Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 42) |
| Nov. 9, 2005 | National | HR 2862 | Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19) |
| Nov. 3, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2400 | Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| Nov. 3, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2409 | Targeted Case Management Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52) |
| Nov. 2, 2005 | National | HR 1606 | Online Freedom of Speech Act | Bill Failed - House (225 - 182) |
| Oct. 27, 2005 | National | HR 420 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 184) |
| Oct. 20, 2005 | National | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (283 - 144) |
| Oct. 19, 2005 | National | HR 554 | Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (306 - 120) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Sept. 15, 2005 | National | H Res 437 | Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina | Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188) |
| Sept. 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| July 29, 2005 | National | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
| July 28, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1626 | Child Safety Lock Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
| July 28, 2005 | National | HR 5 | Malpractice Liability Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 194) |
| July 26, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| July 21, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218) |
| July 21, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218) |
| July 21, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Bill Passed - House (257 - 171) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/07 | HB 1090 | Juvenile Sentencing | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| 2/07 | HB 1090 | Juvenile Sentencing | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| 2/07 | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 2/06 | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| 2/06 | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
| 2/04 | HB 211 | Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance | Bill Passed - House (42 - 20) |
| 2/03 | HB 1089 | Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| 2/03 | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| 2/02 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| 2/02 | SB 253 | Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 2/02 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| 2/01 | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| 2/01 | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| 2/01 | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
| 2/01 | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| 1/31 | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34) |
| 1/31 | SB 362 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
| 1/31 | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |
| 1/31 | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |
| 1/31 | SB 145 | Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 1/27 | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| 1/27 | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| 1/27 | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| 1/27 | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| 1/26 | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 1/26 | H 6700 Sub A | Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
| 1/25 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 1/24 | SB 88 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 1/20 | Sub HB 2661 | Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| 1/17 | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| 1/12 | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (95 - 25) |
| 1/12 | HB 409 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (95 - 25) |
| 1/09 | S 2783 | Age Restrictions for the Purchase of Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |
| 1/09 | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
| 1/09 | A 2302 | Childproof Firearms Sales | Bill Passed - House (91 - 44) |
| 1/09 | A 2466 | Assault Weapon Definition Amendments | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| 1/09 | A 2302 | Childproof Firearms Sales | Bill Passed - House (91 - 44) |
| 1/09 | A 2466 | Assault Weapon Definition Amendments | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| 1/03 | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| 1/03 | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| 12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
| 12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
| 12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
| 12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
| 12/19 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106) |
| 12/19 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106) |
| 12/16 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 12/16 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 12/16 | HR 4437 | Border Security Bill | Bill Passed - House (239 - 182) |
| 12/14 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174) |
| 12/14 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174) |
| 11/16 | HR 2862 | Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5) |
| 11/15 | S Amdt 2523 | Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| 11/15 | S Amdt 2524 | Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
| 11/10 | S Amdt 2516 | Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 42) |
| 11/09 | HR 2862 | Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19) |
| 11/03 | S Amdt 2400 | Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| 11/03 | S Amdt 2409 | Targeted Case Management Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52) |
| 11/02 | HR 1606 | Online Freedom of Speech Act | Bill Failed - House (225 - 182) |
| 10/27 | HR 420 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 184) |
| 10/20 | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (283 - 144) |
| 10/19 | HR 554 | Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (306 - 120) |
| 10/07 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 10/07 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 9/15 | H Res 437 | Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina | Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188) |
| 9/14 | S Amdt 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| 7/29 | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
| 7/28 | S Amdt 1626 | Child Safety Lock Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
| 7/28 | HR 5 | Malpractice Liability Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 194) |
| 7/26 | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 7/21 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218) |
| 7/21 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218) |
| 7/21 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Bill Passed - House (257 - 171) |