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
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 24, 2006 MA Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
May 24, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
May 24, 2006 ME LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 9, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
May 8, 2006 CO HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 4, 2006 IL HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
May 3, 2006 WI AB 414 Smoking Ban Expansion Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
May 3, 2006 IA SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
May 2, 2006 HI SB 1223 Overdraft Check Fee Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 1, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 1, 2006 CO SB 227 Healthcare Disclosure Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 27, 2006 CO SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 24, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 20, 2006 OR SB 1105 Payday Loan Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 20, 2006 CO SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 11, 2006 ME LD 235 Minimum Wage Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 6, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
April 6, 2006 AL SA 85045-1 to HB 135 Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11)
April 6, 2006 AR HB 1033 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 6, 2006 MD SB 320 Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 31, 2006 MD SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
March 29, 2006 ID H 814 Judge Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
March 27, 2006 GA CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
March 27, 2006 GA CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
March 27, 2006 ME LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 22, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 22, 2006 MI HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 16, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
March 14, 2006 AL SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 13, 2006 IA SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
March 8, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 8, 2006 GA SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 8, 2006 GA SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 8, 2006 ID H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
March 6, 2006 OK SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
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 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
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. 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. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Jan. 26, 2006 AZ HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Jan. 25, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
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. 6, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 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)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 7, 2005 National S Amdt 128 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
March 7, 2005 National S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
Oct. 11, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
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)
June 18, 2002 National S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
March 6, 2001 National S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
July 13, 2000 National S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
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)
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)
March 6, 1998 National S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
Sept. 10, 1996 National S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
July 10, 1996 National S Amdt 4438 Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
July 10, 1996 National HR 743 Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 46)
July 9, 1996 National S Amdt 4435 Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
July 9, 1996 National HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
July 9, 1996 National HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/24 Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
5/24 Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
5/24 LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
5/10 HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/09 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
5/08 HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/04 HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
5/03 AB 414 Smoking Ban Expansion Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
5/03 SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
5/02 SB 1223 Overdraft Check Fee Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/01 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/01 SB 227 Healthcare Disclosure Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/27 SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/24 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/20 SB 1105 Payday Loan Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/20 SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/11 LD 235 Minimum Wage Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/10 HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/10 HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/06 HB 1177 Smoking Ban "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
4/06 SA 85045-1 to HB 135 Food Sales and Use Tax Reduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 11)
4/06 HB 1033 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/06 SB 320 Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/31 SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
3/29 H 814 Judge Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
3/27 CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
3/27 CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
3/27 LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
3/24 HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/22 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/22 HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/16 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/14 SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/13 SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
3/08 Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/08 SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/08 SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/08 H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
3/06 SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
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)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
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)
2/23 SF 84 Wyoming Pipeline Authority Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/14 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/08 SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
1/26 HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
1/25 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
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)
1/06 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 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)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/07 S Amdt 128 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
3/07 S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
10/11 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17)
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)
6/18 S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
3/06 S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
7/13 S Amdt 3821 Estate Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
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)
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)
3/06 S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
9/10 S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
8/02 HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
8/02 HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
8/02 HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
7/10 S Amdt 4438 Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
7/10 HR 743 Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 46)
7/09 S Amdt 4435 Minimum Wage Increase Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
7/09 HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
7/09 HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)

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