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 3, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 2, 2006 IN SB 117 Incentives to Reduce Employee Tobacco Use as Related to Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
March 1, 2006 KY HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
March 1, 2006 KY HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
March 1, 2006 CT HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2006 UT 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2006 MO SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2006 ID H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
Feb. 23, 2006 WY SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
Feb. 15, 2006 KS Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2006 WV SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2006 WA Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2006 WA 3rd Sub HB 1484 Taxation for School Funding Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 8, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2006 WV SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 6, 2006 SD HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Feb. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Jan. 26, 2006 IN HB 1142 Skills 2016 Training Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Jan. 26, 2006 AZ HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Jan. 26, 2006 UT HB 109 Sales and Use Tax on Food Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
Jan. 25, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Jan. 25, 2006 AZ HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2006 MS HB 123 Smoking Ban in Government Buildings Bill Passed - House (83 - 37)
Jan. 24, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - House (65 - 40)
Jan. 20, 2006 UT SB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Jan. 17, 2006 MD HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
Jan. 11, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (90 - 30)
Jan. 10, 2006 ME LD 1690 Race Tracks and Casinos in Washington County Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 77)
Jan. 6, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 MS HB 206 Bonds for Economic Development Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
July 26, 2005 National H Amdt 514 Small Employer Health Benefits Plan Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 230)
March 7, 2005 National S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
March 7, 2005 National S Amdt 128 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
Oct. 11, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
Oct. 7, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Sept. 9, 2004 National HR 5006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill- FY 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 13)
July 8, 2004 National HR 4754 Commerce Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (397 - 18)
May 12, 2004 National HR 4279 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (273 - 152)
May 11, 2004 National S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
April 8, 2004 National HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19)
April 2, 2004 National HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 69)
March 10, 2004 National HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
March 3, 2004 National HR 1561 US Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (379 - 28)
Feb. 25, 2004 National HR 2751 GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (382 - 43)
June 19, 2003 National HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
Jan. 8, 2003 National S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
June 18, 2002 National S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
July 19, 2001 National H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
March 6, 2001 National S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2000 National HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
July 13, 2000 National S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
June 9, 2000 National H Amdt 763 Estate Tax Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 222)
June 8, 2000 National H Amdt 760 OSHA Ergonomic Protection Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (203 - 220)
March 9, 2000 National H Amdt 594 Minimum Wage Increase-Two Year Raise Amendment Adopted - House (246 - 179)
March 9, 2000 National HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
March 9, 2000 National HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
March 9, 2000 National HR 3846 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - House (282 - 143)
Feb. 16, 2000 National HR 2366 Small Business Liability Reform bill Bill Passed - House (221 - 193)
Feb. 2, 2000 National HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
Nov. 9, 1999 National S Amdt 2751 Two Year Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 48)
Nov. 9, 1999 National S Amdt 2547 Three Year Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
May 5, 1999 National HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - House (313 - 108)
Sept. 24, 1998 National HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
Sept. 24, 1998 National HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
July 23, 1998 National S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
May 18, 1998 National S Amdt 2417 U.S. Citizen Recruitment Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 39)
April 1, 1998 National H Amdt 548 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 225)
March 26, 1998 National HR 3246 Small Business and Employee Fairness bill Bill Passed - House (202 - 200)
March 6, 1998 National S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
Nov. 7, 1997 National HR 2647 PLA Monitoring bill Bill Passed - House (408 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/02 SB 117 Incentives to Reduce Employee Tobacco Use as Related to Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
3/01 HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
3/01 HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
3/01 HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
2/28 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
2/28 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/27 SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
2/27 H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/24 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
2/23 SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
2/21 HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/16 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
2/15 HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
2/15 Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
2/15 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/14 Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/14 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/13 SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/13 HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
2/13 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/10 Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
2/09 3rd Sub HB 1484 Taxation for School Funding Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/08 SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/06 HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
2/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
1/26 HB 1142 Skills 2016 Training Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
1/26 HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
1/26 HB 109 Sales and Use Tax on Food Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
1/25 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
1/25 HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
1/25 HB 123 Smoking Ban in Government Buildings Bill Passed - House (83 - 37)
1/24 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - House (65 - 40)
1/20 SB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
1/19 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
1/17 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
1/12 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
1/11 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (90 - 30)
1/10 LD 1690 Race Tracks and Casinos in Washington County Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 77)
1/06 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
1/05 HB 206 Bonds for Economic Development Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
7/26 H Amdt 514 Small Employer Health Benefits Plan Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 230)
3/07 S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
3/07 S Amdt 128 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
10/11 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
10/07 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
9/09 HR 5006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill- FY 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 13)
7/08 HR 4754 Commerce Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (397 - 18)
5/12 HR 4279 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (273 - 152)
5/11 S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
4/08 HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19)
4/02 HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 69)
3/10 HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
3/03 HR 1561 US Patent and Trademark Fee Modernization Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (379 - 28)
2/25 HR 2751 GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (382 - 43)
6/19 HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
1/08 S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
6/18 S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
7/19 H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
3/06 S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
9/26 HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
7/13 S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
6/09 H Amdt 763 Estate Tax Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 222)
6/08 H Amdt 760 OSHA Ergonomic Protection Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (203 - 220)
3/09 H Amdt 594 Minimum Wage Increase-Two Year Raise Amendment Adopted - House (246 - 179)
3/09 HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
3/09 HR 3081 Small Business Tax Fairness Act of 2000 Bill Passed - House (257 - 169)
3/09 HR 3846 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - House (282 - 143)
2/16 HR 2366 Small Business Liability Reform bill Bill Passed - House (221 - 193)
2/02 HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
11/09 S Amdt 2751 Two Year Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 48)
11/09 S Amdt 2547 Three Year Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
5/05 HR 833 Bankruptcy Reform bill Bill Passed - House (313 - 108)
9/24 HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
9/24 HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
7/23 S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
5/18 S Amdt 2417 U.S. Citizen Recruitment Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 39)
4/01 H Amdt 548 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 225)
3/26 HR 3246 Small Business and Employee Fairness bill Bill Passed - House (202 - 200)
3/06 S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
11/07 HR 2647 PLA Monitoring bill Bill Passed - House (408 - 10)

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