Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 1, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 24, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
March 19, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
March 17, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 6, 2008 KS SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 6, 2008 WI SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 5, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY SF 46 Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6777 Halting Mining on Maury Island Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
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. 30, 2008 CA SB 908 Global Warming Education in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 18, 2008 GA SR 701 State-Wide Water Management Plan Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
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. 13, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
Dec. 11, 2007 National S Amdt 3711 Government Sponsored Farm Insurance Policies Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 58)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 8, 2007 National HR 1495 Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Veto Override Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4358 2007-2008 Department of Environmental Quality Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
Oct. 30, 2007 WI SB 15 Secretary of Natural Resources Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 29, 2007 HI SB 1 Superferry Environmental Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
Sept. 5, 2007 MT SB 1 Extending Fire Related State of Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Aug. 24, 2007 KY HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
June 21, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
June 20, 2007 MI Sub for SB 447 Insurance for Water Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 20, 2007 MI Sub for SB 504 Agricultural Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 19, 2007 AZ SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 3)
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 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 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 4, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2007 WA HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 2, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 8, 2007 HI SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
March 6, 2007 OK SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 1, 2006 National S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
July 18, 2006 NC HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 23, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 22, 2006 AK CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
May 3, 2006 IA SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 2, 2006 VT S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8)
April 27, 2006 CO SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 20, 2006 MO SS SCS SB 1236 Dam and Reservoir Safety Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 20, 2006 NH HB 1673 Reduction of Mercury Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
April 3, 2006 MN SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
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 28, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 265 Air Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
March 20, 2006 ID S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 20, 2006 ID H 544 Irrigation Voting Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3103 Natural Resources and Environment Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 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)
March 8, 2006 MS HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2006 MO SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2006 AK SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
Jan. 30, 2006 IN SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Dec. 21, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/01 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/01 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/24 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
3/24 SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
3/19 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
3/17 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/12 SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/06 SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/06 SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/05 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/28 SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/27 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/25 SF 46 Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/18 SB 6777 Halting Mining on Maury Island Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
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)
1/30 SB 908 Global Warming Education in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/18 SR 701 State-Wide Water Management Plan Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
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)
12/13 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
12/11 S Amdt 3711 Government Sponsored Farm Insurance Policies Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 58)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/08 HR 1495 Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Veto Override Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4358 2007-2008 Department of Environmental Quality Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
10/30 SB 15 Secretary of Natural Resources Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/29 SB 1 Superferry Environmental Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
9/05 SB 1 Extending Fire Related State of Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
8/24 HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
6/21 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
6/20 Sub for SB 447 Insurance for Water Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/20 Sub for SB 504 Agricultural Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/19 SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 3)
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)
5/11 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)
4/19 SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/10 SB 838 Renewable Electricity Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/04 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/02 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/08 SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
3/06 SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
2/28 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/26 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
2/23 SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
8/31 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/30 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
8/29 AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/01 S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
7/18 HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/23 Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/22 CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
5/20 SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
5/03 SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/02 S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8)
4/27 SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/20 SS SCS SB 1236 Dam and Reservoir Safety Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/20 HB 1673 Reduction of Mercury Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
4/03 SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
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)
3/28 Am Sub SB 265 Air Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/24 SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
3/20 S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/20 H 544 Irrigation Voting Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/16 S Amdt 3103 Natural Resources and Environment Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 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)
3/08 HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/27 SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/08 SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
1/30 SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
12/21 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)

arrow_upward