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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2007 VA Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Jan. 31, 2007 WY SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2007 WY SF 104 Sexual Abuse of Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Aug. 28, 2006 CA AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 24, 2006 CA AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 22, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 25, 2006 National S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
July 19, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
June 15, 2006 MD HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
June 8, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
June 7, 2006 National S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 4, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 4, 2006 NH HB 1331 TANF Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
April 28, 2006 ME HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
April 20, 2006 CT Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 20, 2006 OR SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 17, 2006 CO HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
April 17, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
April 12, 2006 DE SB 251 Full-Day Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 5, 2006 CO HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 31, 2006 CO HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 29, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 29, 2006 CO HB 1249 Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 28, 2006 SC Amdt 2B Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
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 11, 2006 WV Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 1, 2006 UT HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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. 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. 2, 2006 VA SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2006 SD SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
Jan. 25, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2006 GA SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
Jan. 19, 2006 IN SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Oct. 27, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
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)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
July 21, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34)
March 2, 2000 National S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
July 29, 1998 National S Amdt 3359 Married Tax Filing Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (48 - 51)
June 24, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
April 23, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
June 26, 1997 National S Amdt 527 Family Tax Relief Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
Sept. 10, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
Aug. 1, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
July 23, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
Dec. 22, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Sept. 19, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
June 21, 1995 National S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
Feb. 8, 1994 National S Amdt 1390 Contraceptives Distribution Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59)
Feb. 8, 1994 National S Amdt 1390 Contraceptives Distribution Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59)
Nov. 8, 1993 National S Amdt 1132 Prohibiting the Death Penalty for Minors Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 41)
Nov. 5, 1993 National S Amdt 1117 Charging Teens as Adults for Crimes Involving a Firearm Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 23)
Sept. 8, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
Aug. 3, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
April 2, 1992 National S Amdt 1757 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Human Sexual Behavior Surveys Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/02 Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
1/31 SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
1/25 SF 104 Sexual Abuse of Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
8/28 AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/24 AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/22 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
8/16 AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/25 S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
7/19 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
6/15 HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
6/08 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
6/07 S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
5/30 SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/24 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/04 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/04 HB 1331 TANF Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
5/03 HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
4/28 HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
4/27 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
4/20 Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/20 SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/17 HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
4/17 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
4/12 SB 251 Full-Day Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
4/11 HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/05 HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/31 HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/29 Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/29 HB 1249 Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/28 Amdt 2B Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
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)
3/11 Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/07 SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/01 HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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)
2/15 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)
2/02 SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/31 SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
1/25 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/25 SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
1/19 SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
10/27 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
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)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
7/21 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34)
3/02 S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
10/21 S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
7/29 S Amdt 3359 Married Tax Filing Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (48 - 51)
6/24 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
4/23 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
6/26 S Amdt 527 Family Tax Relief Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
9/10 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
8/01 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
7/23 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
12/22 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
9/19 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
6/21 S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
2/08 S Amdt 1390 Contraceptives Distribution Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59)
2/08 S Amdt 1390 Contraceptives Distribution Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59)
11/08 S Amdt 1132 Prohibiting the Death Penalty for Minors Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 41)
11/05 S Amdt 1117 Charging Teens as Adults for Crimes Involving a Firearm Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 23)
9/08 HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
8/03 HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
4/02 S Amdt 1757 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Human Sexual Behavior Surveys Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46)

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