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
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
March 26, 2008 KS Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 25, 2008 NE LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 20, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
March 19, 2008 GA Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
March 19, 2008 GA SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 6, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 5, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
March 5, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
March 4, 2008 WI SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 3, 2008 CO SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 8, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Nov. 8, 2007 National PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
Oct. 4, 2007 National HR 2740 Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 30)
June 27, 2007 OH SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
June 27, 2007 OH SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
June 27, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
June 20, 2007 AZ HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
June 19, 2007 RI H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
June 15, 2007 RI Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
June 11, 2007 National S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
June 7, 2007 NH HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
June 7, 2007 IL HR 25 State Constitutional Convention Awareness Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47)
June 5, 2007 LA HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
June 5, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
June 4, 2007 CA SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 4, 2007 OR HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 2, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
May 31, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 25, 2007 NV AB 510 Parole Credit Act Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
May 24, 2007 NC HB 878 Eminent Domain for Private Use Bill Passed - House (104 - 15)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 22, 2007 National HR 2264 Preventing the Organization of Petroleum Export Groups Bill Passed - House (345 - 72)
May 22, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
May 17, 2007 IL HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
May 15, 2007 NC SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 10, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 27, 2007 IL HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
April 27, 2007 FL CS CS HB 1231 Prostitution Act Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
April 26, 2007 IL HB 317 Abortion Notification Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 62)
April 25, 2007 VT HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
April 17, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
3/26 Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/25 LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/20 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
3/19 Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
3/19 SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
3/19 SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/18 HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/06 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/05 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
3/05 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
3/04 HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
3/04 SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/04 HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/03 SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/27 SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
2/26 AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/26 HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
2/26 AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/25 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/20 HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/12 SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/08 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
2/07 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
1/31 H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
1/29 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
11/08 PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
10/30 SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
10/16 HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
10/04 HR 2740 Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 30)
6/27 SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
6/27 SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
6/27 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
6/20 HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
6/19 LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
6/19 H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
6/15 Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
6/11 S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
6/07 HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
6/07 HR 25 State Constitutional Convention Awareness Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47)
6/05 HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
6/05 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
6/04 SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/04 HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/02 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
5/31 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
5/31 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/25 AB 510 Parole Credit Act Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
5/24 HB 878 Eminent Domain for Private Use Bill Passed - House (104 - 15)
5/23 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/22 HR 2264 Preventing the Organization of Petroleum Export Groups Bill Passed - House (345 - 72)
5/22 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
5/17 HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
5/15 SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/10 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/27 HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
4/27 CS CS HB 1231 Prostitution Act Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
4/26 HB 317 Abortion Notification Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 62)
4/25 HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/18 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
4/17 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/04 Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/28 HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)

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