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
Feb. 22, 2006 KY HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 ID H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2006 MO SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 13, 2006 UT 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
Feb. 7, 2006 AZ HB 2074 Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
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. 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 VA HB 45 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
Feb. 3, 2006 MS HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
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. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
Jan. 26, 2006 RI H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
Jan. 20, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
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 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 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 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
Jan. 9, 2006 NJ S 2783 Age Restrictions for the Purchase of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
Jan. 3, 2006 RI H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13)
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 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. 9, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
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)
Sept. 15, 2005 National H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
July 28, 2005 National HR 5 Malpractice Liability Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
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)
July 21, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
July 20, 2005 National HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
June 20, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
June 20, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
June 17, 2005 National HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
June 17, 2005 National HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
June 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
May 18, 2005 National HR 1817 Homeland Security Department Authorization Act FY06 Bill Passed - House (424 - 4)
May 17, 2005 National HR 2360 Homeland Security Department FY 2006 Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (424 - 1)
May 5, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
May 5, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
April 21, 2005 National H Amdt 370 Liability Shield Language Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219)
March 16, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
March 16, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
Feb. 10, 2005 National HR 418 Real ID Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (261 - 161)
Oct. 8, 2004 National HR 10 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (282 - 134)
Sept. 14, 2004 National HR 4571 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (229 - 174)
June 23, 2004 National HR 4548 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 Bill Passed - House (360 - 61)
June 18, 2004 National HR 4567 Homeland Security Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (400 - 5)
May 12, 2004 National HR 4280 Medical Malpractice Liability Limitation Bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
March 10, 2004 National HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
Feb. 26, 2004 National HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - House (254 - 163)
Nov. 20, 2003 National HR 253 Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 67)
Nov. 6, 2003 National HR 1829 Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (350 - 65)
Sept. 24, 2003 National HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (417 - 8)
Sept. 24, 2003 National HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Conference Report Adopted - House (407 - 15)
July 25, 2003 National HR 2859 Emergency Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act,2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 60)
July 16, 2003 National HR 2122 Project BioShield Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (421 - 2)
July 8, 2003 National HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
June 24, 2003 National HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (425 - 2)
April 10, 2003 National S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
April 9, 2003 National HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
April 9, 2003 National HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
July 26, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
July 10, 2002 National HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
July 10, 2002 National HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
Nov. 16, 2001 National S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Oct. 12, 2001 National HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/22 H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
2/21 SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
2/20 HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/15 HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/15 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
2/14 Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/13 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/13 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
2/13 HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/07 HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
2/07 HB 2074 Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
2/07 HB 1090 Juvenile Sentencing Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
2/07 HB 1090 Juvenile Sentencing Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
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 45 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
2/03 HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
2/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
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)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
1/26 H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
1/20 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
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 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 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 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
1/09 S 2783 Age Restrictions for the Purchase of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
1/03 H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13)
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 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)
11/09 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
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)
9/15 H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
7/28 HR 5 Malpractice Liability Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
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)
7/21 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
7/20 HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
6/20 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
6/20 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
6/17 HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
6/17 HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
6/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
6/15 H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
6/15 H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
5/18 HR 1817 Homeland Security Department Authorization Act FY06 Bill Passed - House (424 - 4)
5/17 HR 2360 Homeland Security Department FY 2006 Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (424 - 1)
5/05 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
5/05 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
4/21 H Amdt 370 Liability Shield Language Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219)
3/16 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
3/16 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
2/10 HR 418 Real ID Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (261 - 161)
10/08 HR 10 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (282 - 134)
9/14 HR 4571 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (229 - 174)
6/23 HR 4548 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 Bill Passed - House (360 - 61)
6/18 HR 4567 Homeland Security Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (400 - 5)
5/12 HR 4280 Medical Malpractice Liability Limitation Bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
3/10 HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
2/26 HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - House (254 - 163)
11/20 HR 253 Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 67)
11/06 HR 1829 Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (350 - 65)
9/24 HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (417 - 8)
9/24 HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Conference Report Adopted - House (407 - 15)
7/25 HR 2859 Emergency Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act,2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 60)
7/16 HR 2122 Project BioShield Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (421 - 2)
7/08 HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
6/24 HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (425 - 2)
4/10 S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
4/09 HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
4/09 HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
10/10 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
7/26 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
7/10 HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
7/10 HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
11/16 S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
10/12 HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)

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