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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2006 | VA | Amdt Item 462-4h | Central Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 35) |
| April 11, 2006 | VA | Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h | Abortion Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34) |
| April 11, 2006 | VA | Amdt Item 391-4h | New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36) |
| April 11, 2006 | VA | Amdt Item 135-4h | Direct Aid To Public Education | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34) |
| April 11, 2006 | AZ | SB 1444 | Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses | Bill Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| April 10, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 10, 2006 | MD | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 10, 2006 | LA | HB 850 | Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
| April 10, 2006 | OK | SB 2022 | Income Tax Rate Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| April 8, 2006 | MD | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45) |
| April 8, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49) |
| April 6, 2006 | FL | A 990264 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (34 - 81) |
| April 6, 2006 | FL | A 990269 | Teacher Salary Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (37 - 72) |
| April 6, 2006 | FL | A 990255 | Florida KidCare Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (34 - 75) |
| April 6, 2006 | FL | A 990241 | Stem Cell Research Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73) |
| April 6, 2006 | AL | SA 85045-1 to HB 135 | Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11) |
| April 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1325 | Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
| April 6, 2006 | IL | SB 3053 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| April 6, 2006 | AR | SB 18 | Property Tax Interest | Bill Failed - House (46 - 46) |
| April 6, 2006 | IL | SB 668 | Funding for Schools, Universities, and Roads | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| April 6, 2006 | AL | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (94 - 3) |
| April 5, 2006 | NE | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 24) |
| April 5, 2006 | FL | HB 7009 | Review of Local Government Managers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 32) |
| April 5, 2006 | AL | HB 51 | Presidential Primary Date | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| April 5, 2006 | ID | H 876 | Property Tax Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
| April 5, 2006 | CO | HB 1375 | Public School Finance Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 5, 2006 | AK | CSHB 471 | Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority | Bill Passed - House (28 - 7) |
| April 4, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2) |
| April 4, 2006 | MD | HB 1054 | Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (79 - 56) |
| April 3, 2006 | NE | LB 188 | Campaign Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 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 | NY | S 6451A | 2006-2007 Legislature and Judiciary Budget | Bill Passed - House (136 - 6) |
| March 31, 2006 | MD | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 48) |
| March 31, 2006 | CO | HB 1385 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| March 31, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| March 30, 2006 | National | H Res 746 | Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution | Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193) |
| March 30, 2006 | KS | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25) |
| March 30, 2006 | KS | SB 501 | School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| March 30, 2006 | FL | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| March 29, 2006 | SC | Amendment 63 | Cigarette Tax | Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53) |
| March 29, 2006 | AL | Executive Amendment 84452-1 to HB 272 | Educational Funds Amendment | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| 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 | AL | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 29, 2006 | IL | HB 1917 | Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Gambling | Bill Failed - House (58 - 52) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| March 29, 2006 | AK | HB 365 | 2006-2007 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| March 28, 2006 | NE | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| March 28, 2006 | OH | HB 530 | Budget Correction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| March 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| March 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| March 25, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| March 24, 2006 | KS | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| March 24, 2006 | VT | H 881 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 10) |
| March 23, 2006 | ID | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 23, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 4486 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax | Bill Passed - House (62 - 45) |
| March 23, 2006 | FL | HB 209 | Intangible Personal Property Tax | Bill Passed - House (100 - 20) |
| March 23, 2006 | MN | SF 3475 | Omnibus Buildings Bonding Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 9) |
| March 23, 2006 | ID | H 743 | School Facilities Improvement Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 22, 2006 | MS | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| March 22, 2006 | IA | HF 2597 | Voter Identification Act | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| March 22, 2006 | MI | HB 5743 | Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| March 21, 2006 | OH | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| March 21, 2006 | OH | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| March 21, 2006 | ID | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| March 21, 2006 | SD | SB 210 | 2006-2007 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| March 21, 2006 | SD | SB 210 | 2006-2007 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| March 20, 2006 | PA | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 20, 2006 | NJ | A 2813 | New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| March 20, 2006 | ID | S 1393 | Biodegradable Fuel | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23) |
| March 17, 2006 | VT | S 164 | Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| March 16, 2006 | NJ | A 2813 | New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| March 16, 2006 | FL | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - House (93 - 27) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | Amdt Item 462-4h | Central Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 35) |
| 4/11 | Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h | Abortion Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34) |
| 4/11 | Amdt Item 391-4h | New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36) |
| 4/11 | Amdt Item 135-4h | Direct Aid To Public Education | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34) |
| 4/11 | SB 1444 | Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses | Bill Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| 4/10 | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/10 | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/10 | HB 850 | Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
| 4/10 | SB 2022 | Income Tax Rate Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| 4/08 | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45) |
| 4/08 | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49) |
| 4/06 | A 990264 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (34 - 81) |
| 4/06 | A 990269 | Teacher Salary Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (37 - 72) |
| 4/06 | A 990255 | Florida KidCare Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (34 - 75) |
| 4/06 | A 990241 | Stem Cell Research Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73) |
| 4/06 | SA 85045-1 to HB 135 | Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11) |
| 4/06 | SB 1325 | Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
| 4/06 | SB 3053 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| 4/06 | SB 18 | Property Tax Interest | Bill Failed - House (46 - 46) |
| 4/06 | SB 668 | Funding for Schools, Universities, and Roads | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| 4/06 | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (94 - 3) |
| 4/05 | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 24) |
| 4/05 | HB 7009 | Review of Local Government Managers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 32) |
| 4/05 | HB 51 | Presidential Primary Date | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| 4/05 | H 876 | Property Tax Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
| 4/05 | HB 1375 | Public School Finance Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 4/05 | CSHB 471 | Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority | Bill Passed - House (28 - 7) |
| 4/04 | H 4479 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2) |
| 4/04 | HB 1054 | Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (79 - 56) |
| 4/03 | LB 188 | Campaign Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 4/03 | SF 2734 | Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22) |
| 3/31 | S 6451A | 2006-2007 Legislature and Judiciary Budget | Bill Passed - House (136 - 6) |
| 3/31 | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 48) |
| 3/31 | HB 1385 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| 3/31 | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| 3/30 | H Res 746 | Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution | Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193) |
| 3/30 | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25) |
| 3/30 | SB 501 | School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 3/30 | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| 3/29 | Amendment 63 | Cigarette Tax | Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53) |
| 3/29 | Executive Amendment 84452-1 to HB 272 | Educational Funds Amendment | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| 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 | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 3/29 | HB 1917 | Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Gambling | Bill Failed - House (58 - 52) |
| 3/29 | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| 3/29 | HB 365 | 2006-2007 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| 3/28 | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| 3/28 | HB 530 | Budget Correction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| 3/28 | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| 3/28 | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| 3/25 | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| 3/24 | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 3/24 | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| 3/24 | H 881 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 10) |
| 3/23 | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 3/23 | Sub for HB 4486 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax | Bill Passed - House (62 - 45) |
| 3/23 | HB 209 | Intangible Personal Property Tax | Bill Passed - House (100 - 20) |
| 3/23 | SF 3475 | Omnibus Buildings Bonding Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 9) |
| 3/23 | H 743 | School Facilities Improvement Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 3/22 | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 3/22 | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| 3/22 | HF 2597 | Voter Identification Act | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| 3/22 | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| 3/22 | HB 5743 | Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 3/21 | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| 3/21 | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| 3/21 | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| 3/21 | SB 210 | 2006-2007 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| 3/21 | SB 210 | 2006-2007 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| 3/20 | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| 3/20 | A 2813 | New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 3/20 | S 1393 | Biodegradable Fuel | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23) |
| 3/17 | S 164 | Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| 3/16 | A 2813 | New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| 3/16 | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - House (93 - 27) |