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
Feb. 21, 2007 IN HB 1197 Confined Feeding Operation Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
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 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. 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 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. 7, 2007 MS SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2007 VA Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 1, 2007 MN HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - House (97 - 35)
Feb. 1, 2007 WY HB 144 Abortion Information Requirement Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
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 CO SB 1 Discounted Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Jan. 26, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 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. 24, 2007 SD SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2007 NM SB 418 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA HB 1883 Abortion Clinic Licensure Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
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 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 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
July 18, 2006 NC HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
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 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
June 18, 2006 LA HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 15, 2006 LA SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
June 14, 2006 LA Amendment #B-635 Ethanol Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
June 4, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 31, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 30, 2006 LA HB 685 Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 34)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 25, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/21 HB 1197 Confined Feeding Operation Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/20 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
2/20 SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
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 SB 2164 Public Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30)
2/08 HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
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 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
2/07 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
2/07 SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
2/05 SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
2/05 Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
2/02 Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/01 HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - House (97 - 35)
2/01 HB 144 Abortion Information Requirement Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
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 SB 1 Discounted Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
1/26 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 26)
1/26 HB 1494 Prenatal Testing Bill Failed - House (29 - 60)
1/26 HB 1464 Abortion Regulation Bill Failed - House (39 - 49)
1/24 SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
1/23 SB 418 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
1/23 HB 1883 Abortion Clinic Licensure Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
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 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 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
7/18 HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
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 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
6/18 HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/15 SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
6/14 Amendment #B-635 Ethanol Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
6/04 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/31 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
5/31 AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/30 HB 685 Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 34)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/25 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)

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