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 13, 2007 OK SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 13, 2007 National S 4 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 38)
March 13, 2007 AR SB 959 Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 13, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 8, 2007 AZ SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
March 8, 2007 NM HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 6, 2007 MD SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 6, 2007 MD SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2007 UT 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2007 MT SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2007 MT SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2007 UT SB 78 Firearm Regulations for Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2007 MT SB 300 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2007 CO SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2007 UT SB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2007 AZ SB 1251 Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2007 MN SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 7, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
Feb. 7, 2007 MS SB 2617 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2007 WY SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2007 WY SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2007 MT SB 15 Funeral Picketing Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Jan. 25, 2007 WY SF 104 Sexual Abuse of Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2007 MT SB 15 Funeral Picketing Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Jan. 25, 2007 VA SJ 307 Voting Rights of Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 24, 2006 CA AB 352 Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Aug. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
July 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
July 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4615 Firearm Confiscation Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 16)
July 12, 2006 National S Amdt 4587 Transit Security Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
July 12, 2006 National S Amdt 4553 Rail and Transit Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
July 11, 2006 National S Amdt 4560 USEMA Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (87 - 11)
July 11, 2006 National S Amdt 4563 FEMA Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
June 28, 2006 NH SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
June 28, 2006 NH SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 21, 2006 NY S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
June 21, 2006 NY S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
June 15, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
June 15, 2006 MD HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
June 13, 2006 NY S 6771 Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 6, 2006 MI HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 6, 2006 MI HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/13 SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/13 S 4 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 38)
3/13 SB 959 Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/13 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/08 SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
3/08 HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/06 SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/06 SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/28 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/24 SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/24 SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/23 SB 78 Firearm Regulations for Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
2/23 SB 300 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/23 SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/21 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
2/20 SB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/20 SB 1251 Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/19 SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/07 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
2/07 SB 2617 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/02 SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
1/31 SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
1/25 SB 15 Funeral Picketing Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
1/25 SF 104 Sexual Abuse of Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
1/25 SB 15 Funeral Picketing Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
1/25 SJ 307 Voting Rights of Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/23 Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
1/23 Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/29 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/28 S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/28 S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/13 S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
9/13 S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
8/31 SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/30 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/24 AB 352 Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
8/16 AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
8/02 S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
7/13 S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
7/13 S Amdt 4615 Firearm Confiscation Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 16)
7/12 S Amdt 4587 Transit Security Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
7/12 S Amdt 4553 Rail and Transit Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
7/11 S Amdt 4560 USEMA Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (87 - 11)
7/11 S Amdt 4563 FEMA Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
6/28 SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
6/28 SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/21 S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
6/21 S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
6/15 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
6/15 HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
6/13 S 6771 Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/06 HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/06 HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)

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