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 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 5, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 5, 2008 SC H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
March 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
Feb. 29, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2008 MN GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 KY SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 15, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 13, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2007 WI SB 15 Secretary of Natural Resources Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
May 22, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
May 21, 2007 TN SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 9, 2007 SC Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
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 5, 2007 SC S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 27, 2007 SC Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
March 21, 2007 NH CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
March 21, 2007 TX HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 22, 2007 KS Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2007 IN HB 1009 Review of State Privatization Contracts Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2007 KY HB 3 Restrictions on Governor Pardons Amendment Adopted - House (71 - 26)
Feb. 7, 2007 IN HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 1, 2007 WI AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 287 The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 285 The Appointment of the Comptroller General Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 288 Appointment of the Secretary of State Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 284 The Appointment of the Adjutant General Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 286 Appointment of the Superintendent of Education Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 101 Reorganization of the State Government Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 22, 2006 National HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 21)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2400 Salary Fixes for Certain Elected State and District Officials Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
March 7, 2006 VA Amendment LeBlanc Nomination Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 42)
March 7, 2006 AZ HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS HB 638 Executive Branch Salaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
Jan. 26, 2005 National PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
Nov. 19, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
July 26, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
Feb. 1, 2001 National PN 107 John Ashcroft, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
Jan. 30, 2001 National PN 96 Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24)
Sept. 14, 1999 National S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
Sept. 9, 1999 National H Con Res 180 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Resolution Passed - House (311 - 41)
Aug. 5, 1999 National PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (148 - 285)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (205 - 229)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (228 - 206)
Sept. 25, 1998 National HR 2621 Reciprocal Trade Agreement Bill Bill Failed - House (180 - 243)
June 25, 1998 National S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/05 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/05 H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
2/29 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
2/28 GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/26 SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/15 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/13 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/30 SB 15 Secretary of Natural Resources Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/11 H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
5/22 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
5/21 SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/09 Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
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)
4/05 S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/27 Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
3/21 CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
3/21 HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/22 Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/20 HB 1009 Review of State Privatization Contracts Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/15 HB 3 Restrictions on Governor Pardons Amendment Adopted - House (71 - 26)
2/07 HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/01 AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
1/24 S 287 The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15)
1/24 S 285 The Appointment of the Comptroller General Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
1/24 S 288 Appointment of the Secretary of State Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13)
1/24 S 284 The Appointment of the Adjutant General Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18)
1/24 S 286 Appointment of the Superintendent of Education Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19)
1/24 S 101 Reorganization of the State Government Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/22 HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
3/09 HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 21)
3/08 SB 2400 Salary Fixes for Certain Elected State and District Officials Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
3/07 Amendment LeBlanc Nomination Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 42)
3/07 HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/09 HB 638 Executive Branch Salaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
1/26 PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
11/19 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
7/26 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
2/01 PN 107 John Ashcroft, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
1/30 PN 96 Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24)
9/14 S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
9/09 H Con Res 180 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Resolution Passed - House (311 - 41)
8/05 PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (148 - 285)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (205 - 229)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (228 - 206)
9/25 HR 2621 Reciprocal Trade Agreement Bill Bill Failed - House (180 - 243)
6/25 S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)

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