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
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
March 27, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 22, 2006 ID H 777 Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
March 21, 2006 NH CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
March 16, 2006 NH SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 16, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 14, 2006 OK HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
March 11, 2006 WV Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 9, 2006 NH HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
March 8, 2006 KY HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
March 1, 2006 UT HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1289 Colorado Student Assessment Program Penalty Removal Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2006 OK HCS HB 2369 Parental Written Consent Requirement for Minor’s Abortion Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2006 KS HB 2732 Unattended and Unsupervised Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 20, 2006 CO SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT 1SHB 107 Full-Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 15, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2006 UT 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 6, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2006 VA SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 1, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
Jan. 31, 2006 SD SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
Jan. 27, 2006 UT 1SHB 85 Parental Consent for Minor’s Abortion Bill Bill Passed - House (65 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2006 GA SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
Jan. 25, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 19, 2006 IN SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2006 NJ S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Dec. 19, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
Dec. 14, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
Nov. 17, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
Oct. 27, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
April 27, 2005 National HR 748 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 157)
April 14, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 244 Unintended Pregnancy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 10, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 65)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
May 20, 2004 National HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
April 28, 2004 National HR 4181 Marriage Penalty Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (323 - 95)
March 24, 2004 National HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
March 24, 2004 National HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
April 10, 2003 National S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
Feb. 13, 2003 National HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
May 16, 2002 National HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
Sept. 13, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
July 21, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34)
July 20, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156)
March 2, 2000 National S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2000 National HR 6 Changes in Income Tax Deductions for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (268 - 158)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
July 29, 1999 National H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
June 30, 1999 National HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
Oct. 8, 1998 National H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
Oct. 8, 1998 National H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
3/27 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/22 H 777 Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
3/21 CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
3/21 HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
3/16 SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/16 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/14 HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
3/11 Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/09 HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
3/09 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
3/08 HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
3/07 SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
3/01 HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
2/28 HB 1289 Colorado Student Assessment Program Penalty Removal Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/28 SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/23 HCS HB 2369 Parental Written Consent Requirement for Minor’s Abortion Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
2/23 HB 2732 Unattended and Unsupervised Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/20 SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/20 1SHB 107 Full-Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
2/20 HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/15 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/13 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
2/09 HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/09 HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
2/09 HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
2/07 H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
2/07 HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
2/07 HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
2/07 HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/06 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/02 SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/01 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
1/31 SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
1/27 1SHB 85 Parental Consent for Minor’s Abortion Bill Bill Passed - House (65 - 8)
1/25 SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
1/25 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/19 SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
1/09 S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
12/19 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
12/14 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
11/17 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
10/27 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
4/27 HR 748 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 157)
4/14 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
3/17 S Amdt 244 Unintended Pregnancy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/10 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
9/23 HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3)
9/23 HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 65)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
5/20 HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
4/28 HR 4181 Marriage Penalty Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (323 - 95)
3/24 HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
3/24 HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
4/10 S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
2/13 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
5/16 HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
9/13 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
7/21 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34)
7/20 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156)
3/02 S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/10 HR 6 Changes in Income Tax Deductions for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (268 - 158)
10/21 S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
7/29 H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
6/30 HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
10/08 H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
10/08 H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)

arrow_upward