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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
Oct. 24, 2007 National HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
July 25, 2007 National H Amdt 674 State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 262)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
June 27, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
May 31, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
April 19, 2007 National HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 272 Medical Marijuana Use Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (161 - 264)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
April 11, 2002 National S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
June 21, 2000 National H Amdt 858 EPA Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
June 7, 2000 National H Amdt 748 San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214)
June 7, 2000 National H Amdt 745 San Rafael Swell Area Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211)
May 11, 2000 National H Amdt 694 Local Government Participation Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238)
May 11, 2000 National HR 701 Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (315 - 102)
May 10, 2000 National HR 3709 Regarding Internet Taxation Bill Passed - House (352 - 75)
Nov. 3, 1999 National HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 210)
Nov. 2, 1999 National HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48)
Oct. 28, 1999 National HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 211)
Oct. 14, 1999 National HR 3064 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, FY 2000 Bill Passed - House (211 - 205)
June 17, 1999 National H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
Oct. 8, 1998 National S 442 Internet Tax Freedom bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2)
Aug. 7, 1998 National HR 4380 District of Columbia FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
Aug. 6, 1998 National H Amdt 865 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (180 - 243)
Aug. 6, 1998 National H Amdt 862 Federal Campaign Finance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222)
Aug. 3, 1998 National H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
July 15, 1998 National HR 3682 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (276 - 150)
May 22, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (297 - 86)
May 22, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
May 5, 1998 National HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7)
April 30, 1998 National S 1502 Washington, D.C. School Vouchers bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
April 29, 1998 National HR 3717 Needle Exchange Funding Ban Bill Passed - House (287 - 140)
April 1, 1998 National S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
April 1, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (337 - 80)
March 4, 1998 National S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
March 4, 1998 National HR 856 Puerto Rico Political Status bill Bill Passed - House (209 - 208)
Feb. 5, 1998 National HR 2846 National Student Testing bill Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
Oct. 9, 1997 National HR 2607 District of Columbia FY98 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 202)
May 23, 1997 National S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
May 16, 1997 National HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - House (343 - 60)
Sept. 10, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
July 22, 1996 National H Amdt 1309 Non-Federally Funded Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 223)
July 12, 1996 National H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)
July 12, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - House (342 - 67)
June 20, 1996 National H Amdt 1190 Tribal Land Trust Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 206)
June 6, 1996 National H Amdt 1133 Wisconsin Welfare Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
June 6, 1996 National HR 3562 Wisconsin Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (289 - 136)
March 20, 1996 National H Amdt 969 Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163)
March 7, 1996 National H Amdt 946 Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222)
Feb. 28, 1996 National H Amdt 935 Dairy Program Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (258 - 164)
Dec. 22, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 21, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178)
Nov. 2, 1995 National HR 2546 Appropriations Bill FY 96, District of Columbia Bill Passed - House (224 - 191)
Sept. 20, 1995 National H Amdt 814 Drinking and Driving Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203)
Sept. 19, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
June 21, 1995 National S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
May 16, 1995 National HR 961 Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
March 24, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (234 - 199)
Feb. 14, 1995 National HR 728 Anti-Crime bill Bill Passed - House (238 - 192)
Sept. 21, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
July 27, 1994 National S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
July 21, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
July 14, 1994 National H Amdt 755 Federal Land Appraisals Amendment Adopted - House (281 - 148)
July 13, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (213 - 210)
March 24, 1994 National H Amdt 497 Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245)
Nov. 21, 1993 National HR 51 D.C. Statehood Bill Bill Failed - House (153 - 277)
Oct. 27, 1993 National HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 201)
July 27, 1993 National HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
June 30, 1993 National H Amdt 188 DC's Domestic Partners Ordinance Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 167)
June 30, 1993 National HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (213 - 211)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
2/12 SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/07 SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
1/29 SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
10/24 HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
7/26 S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
7/25 H Amdt 674 State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 262)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
6/27 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/07 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
5/31 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
4/19 HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
6/15 H Amdt 272 Medical Marijuana Use Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (161 - 264)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
10/10 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
4/11 S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
6/21 H Amdt 858 EPA Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
6/07 H Amdt 748 San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214)
6/07 H Amdt 745 San Rafael Swell Area Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211)
5/11 H Amdt 694 Local Government Participation Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238)
5/11 HR 701 Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (315 - 102)
5/10 HR 3709 Regarding Internet Taxation Bill Passed - House (352 - 75)
11/03 HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 210)
11/02 HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48)
10/28 HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 211)
10/14 HR 3064 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, FY 2000 Bill Passed - House (211 - 205)
6/17 H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
10/08 S 442 Internet Tax Freedom bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2)
8/07 HR 4380 District of Columbia FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
8/06 H Amdt 865 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (180 - 243)
8/06 H Amdt 862 Federal Campaign Finance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222)
8/03 H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
7/15 HR 3682 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (276 - 150)
5/22 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (297 - 86)
5/22 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
5/05 HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7)
4/30 S 1502 Washington, D.C. School Vouchers bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
4/29 HR 3717 Needle Exchange Funding Ban Bill Passed - House (287 - 140)
4/01 S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
4/01 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (337 - 80)
3/04 S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
3/04 HR 856 Puerto Rico Political Status bill Bill Passed - House (209 - 208)
2/05 HR 2846 National Student Testing bill Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
10/09 HR 2607 District of Columbia FY98 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 202)
5/23 S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
5/16 HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - House (343 - 60)
9/10 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
7/22 H Amdt 1309 Non-Federally Funded Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 223)
7/12 H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)
7/12 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - House (342 - 67)
6/20 H Amdt 1190 Tribal Land Trust Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 206)
6/06 H Amdt 1133 Wisconsin Welfare Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
6/06 HR 3562 Wisconsin Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (289 - 136)
3/20 H Amdt 969 Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163)
3/07 H Amdt 946 Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222)
2/28 H Amdt 935 Dairy Program Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (258 - 164)
12/22 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
12/21 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178)
11/02 HR 2546 Appropriations Bill FY 96, District of Columbia Bill Passed - House (224 - 191)
9/20 H Amdt 814 Drinking and Driving Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203)
9/19 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
6/21 S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
5/16 HR 961 Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
3/24 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (234 - 199)
2/14 HR 728 Anti-Crime bill Bill Passed - House (238 - 192)
9/21 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
7/27 S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
7/21 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
7/14 H Amdt 755 Federal Land Appraisals Amendment Adopted - House (281 - 148)
7/13 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (213 - 210)
3/24 H Amdt 497 Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245)
11/21 HR 51 D.C. Statehood Bill Bill Failed - House (153 - 277)
10/27 HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 201)
7/27 HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
6/30 H Amdt 188 DC's Domestic Partners Ordinance Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 167)
6/30 HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (213 - 211)

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