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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
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 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
June 1, 2006 AZ HB 2876 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
May 31, 2006 SC H 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 27, 2006 TN SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 NC SB 1741 Fiscal Budget of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
May 25, 2006 AZ SB 1576 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
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 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 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 - Senate (34 - 32)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 12, 2006 TX CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
May 11, 2006 MO SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 10, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 9, 2006 KS SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
May 9, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
May 9, 2006 AK SB 231 2006-2007 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
May 9, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2006 MN HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 7, 2006 AK SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 4, 2006 WI SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
May 4, 2006 IL SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 4, 2006 WI SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 4, 2006 NH HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
May 4, 2006 IL HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1149 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 2, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 1, 2006 KS HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
May 1, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 28, 2006 ME HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
April 28, 2006 ME LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 27, 2006 CT LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
April 27, 2006 CT LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
April 27, 2006 KS SCS SB 584 School Finance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 26, 2006 OK HB 2351 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 26, 2006 FL HB 209 Intangible Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 25, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 24, 2006 AK CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
April 24, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 24, 2006 MO SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 20, 2006 OR HB 3510 Lottery Revenue to Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 20, 2006 OR SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 20, 2006 MI SB 1111 Industrial Development Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
April 20, 2006 MN SF 3131 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
April 20, 2006 OR SB 1106 Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 17, 2006 CO HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
April 17, 2006 CO SB 223 Interstate Compact for the Election of the President of the United States by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 13, 2006 NH HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
April 12, 2006 OK HB 2177 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
April 12, 2006 NE LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 12, 2006 NE LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
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 6, 2006 AL SA 85045-1 to HB 135 Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11)
April 6, 2006 IL SB 3053 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
April 6, 2006 IL SB 668 Funding for Schools, Universities, and Roads Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
April 5, 2006 NE LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
April 5, 2006 CO HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 3, 2006 MN SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
April 3, 2006 NE LB 188 Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
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 KS Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25)
March 30, 2006 KS SB 501 School Funding Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
6/01 HB 2876 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
5/31 H 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/27 SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 SB 1741 Fiscal Budget of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
5/25 SB 1576 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
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)
5/22 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)
5/20 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 - Senate (34 - 32)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/12 CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
5/11 SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/10 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/10 HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
5/09 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
5/09 SB 231 2006-2007 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
5/09 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/07 SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/04 SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
5/04 SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/04 SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
5/04 SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
5/04 SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/04 AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/04 HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
5/04 HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
5/04 AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
5/03 HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/03 HB 1149 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/03 HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/02 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/01 HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
5/01 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/28 HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
4/28 LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/27 LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
4/27 LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
4/27 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
4/27 SCS SB 584 School Finance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/26 HB 2351 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/26 HB 209 Intangible Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/25 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/24 CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
4/24 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/24 SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/20 HB 3510 Lottery Revenue to Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/20 SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/20 SB 1111 Industrial Development Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
4/20 SF 3131 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
4/20 SB 1106 Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/17 HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
4/17 SB 223 Interstate Compact for the Election of the President of the United States by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/13 HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
4/12 HB 2177 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
4/12 LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/12 LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/10 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/10 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/06 SA 85045-1 to HB 135 Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11)
4/06 SB 3053 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
4/06 SB 668 Funding for Schools, Universities, and Roads Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
4/05 LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
4/05 HB 1375 Public School Finance Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/03 SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
4/03 LB 188 Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/31 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/30 Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25)
3/30 SB 501 School Funding Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)

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