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. 21, 2008 MS SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2008 KS Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
Feb. 12, 2008 NM HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2007 National HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
Dec. 14, 2007 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
Dec. 13, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
Nov. 16, 2007 AK SCS CSHB 2001 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Oct. 12, 2007 IL HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1)
Aug. 24, 2007 KY HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
July 26, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
June 21, 2007 National S Amdt 1704 Alternative Energy Subsidies Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 36)
June 21, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
June 21, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
June 19, 2007 National S Amdt 1519 Preventing Petroleum Export Organizations (NOPEC Act of 2007) Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 23)
June 14, 2007 National S Amdt 1538 Clean Energy Achievement Criteria Amendment Tabled - Senate (56 - 39)
June 14, 2007 National S Amdt 1566 Offshore Drilling in Virginia Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 44)
June 2, 2007 CT HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
May 31, 2007 CT HB 7400 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
May 29, 2007 OR HB 2620 Solar Energy in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
May 11, 2007 OR SB 790 Offshore Drilling Moratorium Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
May 1, 2007 VT SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
April 23, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 20, 2007 IL S. Amdt. 3: Electric Rates Freeze Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 24)
April 20, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
April 10, 2007 OR SB 838 Renewable Electricity Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 3, 2007 MT SB 558 Montana Electric and Gas Authority Act Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
April 2, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 26, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
March 23, 2007 MN SF 1986 Transportation Taxes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24)
Feb. 15, 2007 ND SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Aug. 1, 2006 National S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
May 22, 2006 AK CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SCS HCS HB 1270 Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
May 11, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
May 9, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
April 27, 2006 CO SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 24, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 20, 2006 NH HB 1673 Reduction of Mercury Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
March 31, 2006 MD SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
March 30, 2006 ID H 800 Water Rights Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
March 20, 2006 ID S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3128 ANWR Revenues Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 9, 2006 WI ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2006 MO SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2006 WY SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2006 ID S 1276 Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 2, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31)
Nov. 17, 2005 National S Amdt 2626 Temporary Tax on Crude Oil Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 48)
Nov. 17, 2005 National S Amdt 2612 Price-Gouging During Emergencies Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (57 - 42)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Oct. 26, 2005 National S Amdt 2253 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Oct. 26, 2005 National S Amdt 2194 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 43)
Oct. 5, 2005 National S Amdt 2033 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49)
July 29, 2005 National HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26)
July 1, 2005 National HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
June 28, 2005 National HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 12)
June 16, 2005 National S Amdt 791 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
June 16, 2005 National S Amdt 784 Reduction in Dependence on Foreign Oil Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
June 14, 2005 National S Amdt 781 Environmental Effects Caused by Ethanol Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 38)
May 10, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
April 21, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/21 SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/14 HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/13 Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
2/12 HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/10 SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/07 A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
12/18 HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
12/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
12/13 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
11/16 SCS CSHB 2001 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
10/12 HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1)
8/24 HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
7/26 SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
6/21 S Amdt 1704 Alternative Energy Subsidies Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 36)
6/21 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
6/21 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
6/19 S Amdt 1519 Preventing Petroleum Export Organizations (NOPEC Act of 2007) Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 23)
6/14 S Amdt 1538 Clean Energy Achievement Criteria Amendment Tabled - Senate (56 - 39)
6/14 S Amdt 1566 Offshore Drilling in Virginia Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 44)
6/02 HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/31 HB 7400 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/29 HB 2620 Solar Energy in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
5/11 SB 790 Offshore Drilling Moratorium Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
5/01 SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
4/23 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/20 S. Amdt. 3: Electric Rates Freeze Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 24)
4/20 SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
4/19 SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/10 SB 838 Renewable Electricity Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/03 SB 558 Montana Electric and Gas Authority Act Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
4/02 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/26 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
3/23 SF 1986 Transportation Taxes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24)
2/15 SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
8/01 S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
6/14 SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
5/22 CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
5/11 CCS SCS HCS HB 1270 Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
5/11 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
5/09 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
4/27 SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/24 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/20 HB 1673 Reduction of Mercury Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
3/31 SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
3/30 H 800 Water Rights Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
3/20 S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
3/16 S Amdt 3128 ANWR Revenues Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/09 ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
2/27 SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
2/23 SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/08 S 1276 Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/02 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31)
11/17 S Amdt 2626 Temporary Tax on Crude Oil Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 48)
11/17 S Amdt 2612 Price-Gouging During Emergencies Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (57 - 42)
11/03 S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
10/26 S Amdt 2253 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
10/26 S Amdt 2194 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 43)
10/05 S Amdt 2033 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49)
7/29 HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26)
7/01 HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
6/28 HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 12)
6/16 S Amdt 791 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
6/16 S Amdt 784 Reduction in Dependence on Foreign Oil Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
6/14 S Amdt 781 Environmental Effects Caused by Ethanol Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 38)
5/10 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
4/21 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)

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