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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 21, 2006 | NY | S 8446 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2143/2 | Affordable Housing Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47) |
| June 18, 2006 | LA | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | SB 382 | Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials | Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19) |
| June 15, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2223/6 | Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36) |
| June 15, 2006 | NC | SB 1741 | Fiscal Budget of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (91 - 23) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4810 | 2006-2007 Budget | Veto Override Passed - House (99 - 13) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4810 | 2006-2007 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| June 14, 2006 | MD | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| June 14, 2006 | MD | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| June 14, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| June 14, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| June 13, 2006 | RI | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 13, 2006 | RI | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 12, 2006 | PA | HB 698 | Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (169 - 28) |
| June 8, 2006 | AK | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25) |
| June 8, 2006 | AK | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
| June 7, 2006 | National | S J Res 1 | Same Sex Marriage Resolution | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48) |
| June 7, 2006 | National | HR 5521 | Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (361 - 53) |
| June 6, 2006 | RI | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| June 6, 2006 | RI | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| June 6, 2006 | AK | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12) |
| June 6, 2006 | LA | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| June 4, 2006 | AK | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Bill Passed - House (28 - 12) |
| June 1, 2006 | AZ | HB 2876 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| May 31, 2006 | WI | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| May 31, 2006 | SC | H 4449 | Sales and Property Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11) |
| May 31, 2006 | LA | HB 1108 | Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2948 | Electoral College: Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - House (49 - 31) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 27, 2006 | TN | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12) |
| May 27, 2006 | TN | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8) |
| May 26, 2006 | TN | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| May 26, 2006 | TN | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| May 26, 2006 | OK | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5) |
| May 25, 2006 | SC | Amdt 3 to S 1084 | Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment | Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31) |
| May 25, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9) |
| May 25, 2006 | SC | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |
| May 25, 2006 | OH | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| May 25, 2006 | OH | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| May 25, 2006 | OH | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37) |
| May 25, 2006 | OH | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37) |
| May 25, 2006 | AZ | HB 2876 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| May 25, 2006 | AZ | SB 1576 | Omnibus Tax Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| May 25, 2006 | NC | SB 1741 | Fiscal Budget of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 25, 2006 | LA | HB 1 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (100 - 3) |
| May 24, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| May 24, 2006 | MA | Amdt 8 to SB 3 | Sales Tax Holiday | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16) |
| May 24, 2006 | NH | HB 678 | Insurance Company Tax Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - House (204 - 109) |
| May 24, 2006 | OK | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10) |
| May 24, 2006 | NH | HB 656 | "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165) |
| May 24, 2006 | MI | HB 5796 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 46) |
| May 24, 2006 | UT | SB 3007 | Economic Development Funding (Special Session) | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
| May 24, 2006 | UT | 2SHB 3001 | 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 20) |
| May 24, 2006 | UT | 2SHB 3001 | 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| May 23, 2006 | OH | Sub SB 321 | Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 23, 2006 | VA | HB 5002 | 2006-2008 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| May 23, 2006 | RI | S 2094 Sub. A | Contract Reporting Requirements Act | Bill Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| May 23, 2006 | OH | Sub SB 321 | Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| May 22, 2006 | ME | LD 1481 | Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 22, 2006 | AK | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| May 22, 2006 | ME | LD 1481 | Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives | Bill Passed - House (75 - 66) |
| May 20, 2006 | MN | SF 2460 | University of Minnesota Football Stadium | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24) |
| May 20, 2006 | MN | HF 2480 | Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 61) |
| May 20, 2006 | MN | HF 2480 | Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32) |
| May 20, 2006 | MN | SF 2460 | University of Minnesota Football Stadium | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/21 | S 8446 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2) |
| 6/19 | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2143/2 | Affordable Housing Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47) |
| 6/18 | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| 6/16 | SB 382 | Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials | Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43) |
| 6/16 | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| 6/16 | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19) |
| 6/15 | LCO # 2223/6 | Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36) |
| 6/15 | SB 1741 | Fiscal Budget of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (91 - 23) |
| 6/14 | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| 6/14 | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29) |
| 6/14 | H 4810 | 2006-2007 Budget | Veto Override Passed - House (99 - 13) |
| 6/14 | H 4810 | 2006-2007 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| 6/14 | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| 6/14 | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| 6/14 | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29) |
| 6/14 | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| 6/14 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| 6/14 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| 6/13 | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 6/13 | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 6/12 | HB 698 | Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (169 - 28) |
| 6/08 | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25) |
| 6/08 | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
| 6/07 | S J Res 1 | Same Sex Marriage Resolution | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48) |
| 6/07 | HR 5521 | Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (361 - 53) |
| 6/06 | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| 6/06 | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| 6/06 | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12) |
| 6/06 | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| 6/04 | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Bill Passed - House (28 - 12) |
| 6/01 | HB 2876 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| 5/31 | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| 5/31 | H 4449 | Sales and Property Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11) |
| 5/31 | HB 1108 | Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| 5/30 | AB 2948 | Electoral College: Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - House (49 - 31) |
| 5/30 | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/27 | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12) |
| 5/27 | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8) |
| 5/26 | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| 5/26 | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| 5/26 | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5) |
| 5/25 | Amdt 3 to S 1084 | Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment | Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31) |
| 5/25 | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9) |
| 5/25 | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |
| 5/25 | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| 5/25 | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| 5/25 | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37) |
| 5/25 | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37) |
| 5/25 | HB 2876 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| 5/25 | SB 1576 | Omnibus Tax Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 5/25 | SB 1741 | Fiscal Budget of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 5/25 | HB 1 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (100 - 3) |
| 5/24 | H 4479 | MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| 5/24 | Amdt 8 to SB 3 | Sales Tax Holiday | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 5/24 | HB 678 | Insurance Company Tax Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - House (204 - 109) |
| 5/24 | SB 1807 | Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10) |
| 5/24 | HB 656 | "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165) |
| 5/24 | HB 5796 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 46) |
| 5/24 | SB 3007 | Economic Development Funding (Special Session) | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
| 5/24 | 2SHB 3001 | 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 20) |
| 5/24 | 2SHB 3001 | 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 5/23 | Sub SB 321 | Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 5/23 | HB 5002 | 2006-2008 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 5/23 | S 2094 Sub. A | Contract Reporting Requirements Act | Bill Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| 5/23 | Sub SB 321 | Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| 5/22 | LD 1481 | Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 5/22 | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| 5/22 | LD 1481 | Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives | Bill Passed - House (75 - 66) |
| 5/20 | SF 2460 | University of Minnesota Football Stadium | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24) |
| 5/20 | HF 2480 | Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 61) |
| 5/20 | HF 2480 | Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32) |
| 5/20 | SF 2460 | University of Minnesota Football Stadium | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37) |