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
Jan. 29, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 CA AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2008 GA HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2008 GA HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2008 GA HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2008 NM HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Jan. 24, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
Jan. 24, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
Jan. 24, 2008 NM HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Jan. 23, 2008 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
Jan. 23, 2008 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
Jan. 23, 2008 MA H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 22, 2008 SD SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 21, 2008 VA HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 21, 2008 VA HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 17, 2008 GA HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
Jan. 16, 2008 TN SB 23 Allowing Guns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Jan. 15, 2008 NE LB 253 Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 National H Res 847 Recognition of the Importance of Christmas and Christianity Resolution Passed - House (372 - 9)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 5, 2007 MI HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 46)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Nov. 15, 2007 National HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 189)
Nov. 11, 2007 MD HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (80 - 56)
Nov. 8, 2007 National PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
Nov. 7, 2007 National HR 3685 Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Nov. 1, 2007 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
Nov. 1, 2007 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 240 2007-2008 Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/29 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
1/29 SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/29 SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/29 SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
1/29 SB 335 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/29 AB 624 Disclosing Organizational Diversity Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
1/29 HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/28 HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
1/28 HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
1/28 HB 301 Increasing Dogfighting Penalties Bill Passed - House (165 - 6)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
1/24 HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
1/24 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
1/24 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
1/24 HB 9 Allowing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
1/23 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
1/23 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152)
1/23 H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/22 SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/21 HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/21 HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/17 HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
1/16 SB 23 Allowing Guns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
1/15 LB 253 Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
12/11 ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
12/11 ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
12/11 ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 H Res 847 Recognition of the Importance of Christmas and Christianity Resolution Passed - House (372 - 9)
12/11 AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
12/11 AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
12/11 AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/05 HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 46)
11/19 HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52)
11/19 HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
11/15 HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 189)
11/11 HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (80 - 56)
11/08 PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
11/07 HR 3685 Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
11/01 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
11/01 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
10/31 H Sub for Sub SB 240 2007-2008 Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)

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