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
May 3, 2007 MN SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 3, 2007 TX CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 3, 2007 MN SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 1, 2007 VT SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
May 1, 2007 CO HB 1301 Cervical Cancer Immunization Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
April 27, 2007 TX CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 27, 2007 TX CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
April 26, 2007 TX CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 25, 2007 IA Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
April 25, 2007 IA HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 25, 2007 CT SB 1343 Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 23, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
April 23, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 23, 2007 NV SB 113 Prostate Cancer Screening Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
April 19, 2007 NV SB 409 HPV Vaccine Coverage Act Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
April 17, 2007 TX CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 17, 2007 GA SCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
April 12, 2007 NH SB 176 Children's Lead Poisoning Level Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
April 11, 2007 GA SCS HB 147 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
April 11, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
April 11, 2007 National S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
April 10, 2007 OR SB 838 Renewable Electricity Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 10, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 10, 2007 SC S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 4, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2007 WA HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 3, 2007 WA HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 2, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 29, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 29, 2007 DE SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 28, 2007 MN SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 28, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 23, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 23, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 714 Ban on State-Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 13, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 8, 2007 MS SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
March 8, 2007 HI SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
March 8, 2007 NM HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 7, 2007 WA Sub SB 5297 Sexual Health Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 7, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 6, 2007 OK SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 5, 2007 NM SB 1174 HPV Vaccine Requirement for Sixth Graders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2007 MT SB 500 CHIP Contraception Coverage Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
Feb. 22, 2007 NH SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
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. 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. 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. 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)
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. 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)
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)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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. 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 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 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
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 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 - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/03 SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/03 CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/03 SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/01 SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
5/01 HB 1301 Cervical Cancer Immunization Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/29 HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
4/27 CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/27 CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
4/26 CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/25 Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
4/25 HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/25 SB 1343 Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/23 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
4/23 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/23 SB 113 Prostate Cancer Screening Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/19 SB 409 HPV Vaccine Coverage Act Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/19 SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/17 CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/17 SCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
4/12 SB 176 Children's Lead Poisoning Level Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
4/11 SCS HB 147 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
4/11 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
4/11 S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
4/10 SB 838 Renewable Electricity Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/10 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/10 S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/04 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/03 HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/02 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/29 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/29 SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/28 SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/28 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/23 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/23 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/20 SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
3/13 SB 714 Ban on State-Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/13 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/08 SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
3/08 SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
3/08 HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/07 Sub SB 5297 Sexual Health Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/06 SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/05 SB 1174 HPV Vaccine Requirement for Sixth Graders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/28 Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
2/28 SB 500 CHIP Contraception Coverage Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
2/28 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/26 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
2/23 SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
2/23 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
2/22 SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
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)
2/15 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)
2/07 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)
2/05 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)
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)
1/26 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)
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)
8/31 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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)
8/30 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 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)
7/25 S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
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 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 - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)

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