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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18, 2007 | IA | S 3371 | Firearms for Campus Police | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
| April 18, 2007 | IA | HF 877 | Statewide Preschool Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| April 17, 2007 | GA | SCS HB 340 | Childrens Health Care Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| April 17, 2007 | TX | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 17, 2007 | TX | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 17, 2007 | CO | SB 25 | Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 16, 2007 | TN | SB 227 | Voter ID Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 12, 2007 | CO | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 12, 2007 | NH | SB 176 | Children's Lead Poisoning Level | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| April 12, 2007 | CO | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 11, 2007 | AZ | HB 2033 | Teen Drivers License Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| April 11, 2007 | IN | HB 1510 | Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| April 11, 2007 | ME | LD 805 | Washington County Indian Casino Authorization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| April 11, 2007 | National | S 30 | Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28) |
| April 11, 2007 | National | S 5 | Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34) |
| April 10, 2007 | IA | HF 611 | Research-Based Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 9, 2007 | ND | HB 1320 | Prekindergarten Aid | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| April 5, 2007 | MD | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 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 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| March 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 29, 2007 | IL | SB 500 | Smoke Free Illinois Act | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23) |
| March 29, 2007 | MN | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23) |
| March 28, 2007 | KS | SB 66 | Kansas Expanded Lottery Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| March 28, 2007 | KS | HB 2062 | Violence Against Unborn Children | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 28, 2007 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 28, 2007 | ID | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 27, 2007 | KS | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 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 26, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 26, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 24, 2007 | MN | SF 1997 | 2008-2009 State Government Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 22, 2007 | IN | HB 1237 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| March 22, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
| March 20, 2007 | KS | HB 2140 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| March 20, 2007 | National | S 214 | United States Attorneys Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| March 20, 2007 | NE | LB 476 | Elimination of the Death Penalty | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25) |
| March 20, 2007 | GA | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| March 19, 2007 | IA | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 16, 2007 | MD | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| March 16, 2007 | MD | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| March 15, 2007 | NH | SB 18 | Raising the Compulsory School Age | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| March 13, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| March 13, 2007 | AR | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 13, 2007 | AR | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 13, 2007 | AR | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 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 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 8, 2007 | NM | HB 283 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| March 8, 2007 | AZ | SB 1152 | REAL ID Implementation Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| March 7, 2007 | WA | Sub SB 5297 | Sexual Health Education | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| March 7, 2007 | ID | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 6, 2007 | MD | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| March 6, 2007 | MD | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| March 5, 2007 | NM | SB 1174 | HPV Vaccine Requirement for Sixth Graders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| March 5, 2007 | TN | SB 201 | English-Only Driver's License Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| March 5, 2007 | NY | S 3318 | Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
| March 1, 2007 | WA | Sub SB 5336 | Legal Benefits for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| Feb. 28, 2007 | UT | 2SSB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | MD | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | WY | 1SHB 213 | Grey Wolf Population Control | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| Feb. 26, 2007 | WY | HB 95 | Quality Childcare | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 24, 2007 | MT | SB 306 | Eliminate Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | UT | SB 78 | Firearm Regulations for Private Property | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | MT | SB 300 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | CO | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/18 | S 3371 | Firearms for Campus Police | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
| 4/18 | HF 877 | Statewide Preschool Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| 4/17 | SCS HB 340 | Childrens Health Care Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| 4/17 | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 4/17 | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 4/17 | SB 25 | Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 4/16 | SB 227 | Voter ID Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 4/12 | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 4/12 | SB 176 | Children's Lead Poisoning Level | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| 4/12 | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 4/11 | HB 2033 | Teen Drivers License Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| 4/11 | HB 1510 | Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| 4/11 | LD 805 | Washington County Indian Casino Authorization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 4/11 | S 30 | Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28) |
| 4/11 | S 5 | Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34) |
| 4/10 | HF 611 | Research-Based Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/09 | HB 1320 | Prekindergarten Aid | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 4/05 | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/04 | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 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 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 3/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 3/29 | SB 500 | Smoke Free Illinois Act | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23) |
| 3/29 | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23) |
| 3/28 | SB 66 | Kansas Expanded Lottery Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 3/28 | HB 2062 | Violence Against Unborn Children | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/28 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/28 | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 3/27 | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 3/26 | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 3/26 | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 3/24 | SF 1997 | 2008-2009 State Government Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| 3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 3/22 | HB 1237 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| 3/22 | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
| 3/20 | HB 2140 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 3/20 | S 214 | United States Attorneys Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| 3/20 | LB 476 | Elimination of the Death Penalty | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25) |
| 3/20 | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| 3/19 | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 3/16 | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| 3/16 | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| 3/15 | SB 18 | Raising the Compulsory School Age | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| 3/13 | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| 3/13 | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 3/13 | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 3/13 | SB 959 | Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 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 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| 3/08 | HB 283 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 3/08 | SB 1152 | REAL ID Implementation Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| 3/07 | Sub SB 5297 | Sexual Health Education | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 3/07 | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 3/06 | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| 3/06 | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| 3/05 | SB 1174 | HPV Vaccine Requirement for Sixth Graders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| 3/05 | SB 201 | English-Only Driver's License Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| 3/05 | S 3318 | Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
| 3/01 | Sub SB 5336 | Legal Benefits for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 2/28 | 2SSB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| 2/27 | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 2/27 | 1SHB 213 | Grey Wolf Population Control | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| 2/26 | HB 95 | Quality Childcare | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 2/24 | SB 306 | Eliminate Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| 2/23 | SB 78 | Firearm Regulations for Private Property | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 2/23 | SB 300 | Seat Belt Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 2/23 | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |