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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1465 | Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 3, 2006 | MS | SB 3084 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| March 3, 2006 | AK | CSSB 112 | Rural Education Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| March 2, 2006 | AZ | HB 2064 | English Language Learners | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 2, 2006 | AZ | SB 1325 | Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 2, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 1, 2006 | UT | 3SHB 109 | Food Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| March 1, 2006 | VA | HB 568 | Flat Tax on Communication Services | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | OK | SCS SB 1993 | Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| Feb. 23, 2006 | AL | SB 31 | Alcohol Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14) |
| Feb. 21, 2006 | MS | SB 3084 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | MI | SB 839 | Reduce Amount of Auto Sales Tax Going to Comprehensive Transportation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5498 | Horse Racing Industry Development Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | MS | SB 2604 | Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | MS | SB 2602 | Mississippi Education Reform Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Jan. 30, 2006 | IN | SB 354 | Forestry Classifications | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 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. 19, 2006 | MI | SB 957 | Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Jan. 6, 2006 | MS | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 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) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | S 1932 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (51 - 50) |
| Nov. 17, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2602 | Hurricane Victims Tax Benefit Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 55) |
| Nov. 3, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2351 | Pay As You Go Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49) |
| July 29, 2005 | National | HR 3 | Transportation Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| May 17, 2005 | National | HR 3 | Transportation Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 11) |
| April 11, 2003 | National | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
| March 26, 2003 | National | S Con Res 23 | Budget Resolution FY2004 | Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44) |
| March 19, 2003 | National | S Amdt 272 | ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48) |
| Feb. 13, 2003 | National | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20) |
| Dec. 7, 2001 | National | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20) |
| Dec. 4, 2001 | National | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2) |
| Nov. 15, 2001 | National | HR 2330 | Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| Nov. 8, 2001 | National | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
| May 10, 2001 | National | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47) |
| Nov. 19, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| Sept. 16, 1999 | National | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| Aug. 5, 1999 | National | HR 2488 | Financial Freedom Act of 1999 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| June 30, 1999 | National | S 1234 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| June 16, 1999 | National | S 1205 | Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| May 6, 1999 | National | S 900 | Financial Services Modernization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
| Nov. 8, 1997 | National | HR 2264 | Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| Oct. 1, 1997 | National | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45) |
| Sept. 25, 1997 | National | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| Sept. 11, 1997 | National | S Amdt 1122 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51) |
| July 31, 1997 | National | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| June 5, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| May 23, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Sept. 10, 1993 | National | S Amdt 816 | Postponement of Base Closures Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 79) |
| Sept. 9, 1993 | National | S Amdt 785 | Ballistic Missile Defense Funding Reducation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| May 21, 1992 | National | S Amdt 1852 | Eliminating Emergency Funding for Emergency Summer Youth Employment Programs | Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/06 | SB 1465 | Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 3/03 | SB 3084 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 3/03 | CSSB 112 | Rural Education Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| 3/02 | HB 2064 | English Language Learners | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 3/02 | SB 1325 | Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 3/02 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 3/01 | 3SHB 109 | Food Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 3/01 | HB 568 | Flat Tax on Communication Services | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 2/28 | SCS SB 1993 | Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| 2/23 | SB 31 | Alcohol Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14) |
| 2/21 | SB 3084 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 2/15 | SB 839 | Reduce Amount of Auto Sales Tax Going to Comprehensive Transportation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 2/15 | Sub for HB 5498 | Horse Racing Industry Development Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 2/02 | SB 2604 | Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| 2/01 | SB 2602 | Mississippi Education Reform Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 1/30 | SB 354 | Forestry Classifications | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 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) |
| 1/19 | SB 957 | Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 1/06 | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 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) |
| 12/21 | S 1932 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (51 - 50) |
| 11/17 | S Amdt 2602 | Hurricane Victims Tax Benefit Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 55) |
| 11/03 | S Amdt 2351 | Pay As You Go Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49) |
| 7/29 | HR 3 | Transportation Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| 5/17 | HR 3 | Transportation Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 11) |
| 4/11 | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
| 3/26 | S Con Res 23 | Budget Resolution FY2004 | Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44) |
| 3/19 | S Amdt 272 | ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48) |
| 2/13 | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20) |
| 12/07 | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20) |
| 12/04 | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 11/15 | HR 2330 | Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| 11/08 | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
| 5/10 | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47) |
| 11/19 | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| 9/16 | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| 8/05 | HR 2488 | Financial Freedom Act of 1999 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| 6/30 | S 1234 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 6/16 | S 1205 | Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 5/06 | S 900 | Financial Services Modernization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 11/08 | HR 2264 | Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| 10/01 | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45) |
| 9/25 | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| 9/11 | S Amdt 1122 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51) |
| 7/31 | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| 6/05 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| 5/23 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| 9/10 | S Amdt 816 | Postponement of Base Closures Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 79) |
| 9/09 | S Amdt 785 | Ballistic Missile Defense Funding Reducation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 5/21 | S Amdt 1852 | Eliminating Emergency Funding for Emergency Summer Youth Employment Programs | Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62) |