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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 21, 2007 | IN | HB 1337 | Smoking in a Vehicle With Children | Bill Failed - House (43 - 51) |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | WV | Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 | Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | SD | SB 208 | Tanning Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | MD | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (122 - 16) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | WA | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | WA | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | KY | SB 152 | State Employee Health Coverage Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | SB 196 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | IA | SF 162 | Stem Cell Research and Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Feb. 12, 2007 | IN | SB 327 | HPV Immunization | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | WY | HB 68 | Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | ND | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | WY | HB 68 | Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | NM | SB 238 | Medical Marijuana Legalization | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | MS | SB 2391 | Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | NM | SB 238 | Medical Marijuana Legalization | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2035 | HPV Vaccination | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Feb. 2, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 905 | Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 1, 2007 | WY | HB 144 | Abortion Information Requirement | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
| Feb. 1, 2007 | MN | HF 110 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - House (97 - 35) |
| Jan. 30, 2007 | CO | SB 60 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Jan. 29, 2007 | AZ | SB 1032 | Emergency Room Malpractice | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Jan. 29, 2007 | AR | HB 1173 | Reversal of the BMI Report Card Requirement | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | ND | HB 1494 | Prenatal Testing | Bill Failed - House (29 - 60) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | ND | HB 1464 | Abortion Regulation | Bill Failed - House (39 - 49) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | ND | HB 1466 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (61 - 26) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | CO | SB 1 | Discounted Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SD | SB 74 | Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Jan. 23, 2007 | VA | HB 1883 | Abortion Clinic Licensure | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| Jan. 23, 2007 | NM | SB 418 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Bill Passed - House (43 - 18) |
| Jan. 12, 2007 | National | HR 4 | Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 170) |
| Jan. 11, 2007 | National | HR 3 | Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (253 - 174) |
| Dec. 7, 2006 | National | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| Dec. 7, 2006 | National | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| Sept. 25, 2006 | National | HR 5062 | New Hampshire Wilderness Act | Bill Failed - House (220 - 169) |
| Sept. 7, 2006 | National | HR 503 | Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill | Bill Passed - House (263 - 146) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Failed - House (33 - 40) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 3, 2006 | National | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| Aug. 1, 2006 | National | S 3711 | Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25) |
| July 29, 2006 | National | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 180) |
| July 27, 2006 | National | HR 4157 | Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (270 - 148) |
| July 25, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4689 | Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| July 20, 2006 | NC | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| July 19, 2006 | National | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193) |
| July 19, 2006 | NC | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| July 18, 2006 | NC | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| July 18, 2006 | NC | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| July 18, 2006 | National | S 2754 | Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act | Bill Failed - House (273 - 154) |
| July 18, 2006 | National | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| June 29, 2006 | CA | SB 1 | Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| June 29, 2006 | PA | HB 1588 | Fluoride Content in Water | Bill Passed - House (150 - 42) |
| June 29, 2006 | DE | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/21 | HB 1337 | Smoking in a Vehicle With Children | Bill Failed - House (43 - 51) |
| 2/21 | Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 | Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 2/20 | SB 208 | Tanning Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
| 2/20 | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (122 - 16) |
| 2/16 | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| 2/16 | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| 2/15 | SB 152 | State Employee Health Coverage Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 2/14 | SB 196 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 2/14 | SF 162 | Stem Cell Research and Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 2/12 | SB 327 | HPV Immunization | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| 2/08 | HB 68 | Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| 2/08 | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
| 2/08 | HB 68 | Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| 2/07 | SB 238 | Medical Marijuana Legalization | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7) |
| 2/07 | SB 2391 | Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0) |
| 2/07 | SB 238 | Medical Marijuana Legalization | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7) |
| 2/07 | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| 2/05 | Sub HB 2035 | HPV Vaccination | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| 2/05 | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 2/02 | Sub SB 905 | Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 2/01 | HB 144 | Abortion Information Requirement | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
| 2/01 | HF 110 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - House (97 - 35) |
| 1/30 | SB 60 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 1/29 | SB 1032 | Emergency Room Malpractice | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 1/29 | HB 1173 | Reversal of the BMI Report Card Requirement | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| 1/26 | HB 1494 | Prenatal Testing | Bill Failed - House (29 - 60) |
| 1/26 | HB 1464 | Abortion Regulation | Bill Failed - House (39 - 49) |
| 1/26 | HB 1466 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (61 - 26) |
| 1/26 | SB 1 | Discounted Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 1/24 | SB 74 | Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 1/23 | HB 1883 | Abortion Clinic Licensure | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| 1/23 | SB 418 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Bill Passed - House (43 - 18) |
| 1/12 | HR 4 | Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 170) |
| 1/11 | HR 3 | Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (253 - 174) |
| 12/07 | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| 12/07 | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| 9/25 | HR 5062 | New Hampshire Wilderness Act | Bill Failed - House (220 - 169) |
| 9/07 | HR 503 | Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill | Bill Passed - House (263 - 146) |
| 8/31 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/31 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
| 8/31 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/31 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 8/31 | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Failed - House (33 - 40) |
| 8/30 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 8/30 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| 8/30 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/30 | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 8/30 | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 8/29 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| 8/29 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| 8/29 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 8/29 | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/03 | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| 8/01 | S 3711 | Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25) |
| 7/29 | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 180) |
| 7/27 | HR 4157 | Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (270 - 148) |
| 7/25 | S Amdt 4689 | Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| 7/20 | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| 7/19 | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193) |
| 7/19 | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| 7/18 | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 7/18 | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 7/18 | S 2754 | Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act | Bill Failed - House (273 - 154) |
| 7/18 | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| 7/08 | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/08 | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| 7/08 | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| 7/08 | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 6/29 | SB 1 | Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| 6/29 | HB 1588 | Fluoride Content in Water | Bill Passed - House (150 - 42) |
| 6/29 | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |