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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2007 | CT | HB 5656 | Immigrants and Postsecondary Education Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| May 31, 2007 | NH | HB 802 | Requiring Seatbelts in Automotive Vehicles | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| May 31, 2007 | SC | H 3124 | Open Enrollment and Optional Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| May 31, 2007 | CT | Sub SB 167 | Restricting Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| May 31, 2007 | CT | HB 7400 | Tax Code Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| May 31, 2007 | OH | SJR 1 | Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 31, 2007 | NE | LB 653 | Standard Academic Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| May 31, 2007 | CA | SB 120 | Nutritional Information Posting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 30, 2007 | SC | Amendment No. P-2B | State Scholarships for Private Schools | Amendment Tabled - Senate (29 - 15) |
| May 30, 2007 | NE | LB 551 | Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| May 29, 2007 | OR | HB 2620 | Solar Energy in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| May 29, 2007 | LA | SB 223 | Required Liability Insurance Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| May 25, 2007 | OR | HB 2650 | School Food Nutritional Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| May 25, 2007 | OR | HB 2650 | School Food Nutritional Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| May 24, 2007 | TN | SB 1325 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| May 24, 2007 | NE | LB 641 | School Property Tax and Learning Communities Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| May 23, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| May 23, 2007 | OH | Sub SB 125 | "Instant Racing Systems" Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| May 22, 2007 | KS | HCS SB 357 | Disclosure for Late-Term Abortions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| May 21, 2007 | CA | SB 180 | Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| May 19, 2007 | MN | HF 464 | School District Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16) |
| May 19, 2007 | MN | HF 464 | School District Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16) |
| May 17, 2007 | National | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| May 17, 2007 | National | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| May 16, 2007 | NE | LB 367 | Tax Credits and Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2) |
| May 16, 2007 | WI | SB 129 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| May 16, 2007 | MN | SF 653 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 20) |
| May 15, 2007 | NC | SB 1006 | Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
| May 14, 2007 | MN | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17) |
| May 14, 2007 | MN | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17) |
| May 11, 2007 | MN | SF 238 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21) |
| May 11, 2007 | OR | SB 790 | Offshore Drilling Moratorium | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| May 10, 2007 | NH | HB 790 | Extending Medical Insurance Coverage for Dependents | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| May 9, 2007 | SC | Amendment No. 2c | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19) |
| May 9, 2007 | CT | Sub HB 7350 | In-School Suspensions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 9, 2007 | CT | SB 1015 | Trans Fat Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 8, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21) |
| May 7, 2007 | National | S Amdt 1010 | FDA Drug Import Certification Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 40) |
| May 7, 2007 | MN | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19) |
| May 4, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1497 | Abortion Waiting Periods | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| May 3, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1047 | Casino Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| May 3, 2007 | MN | SF 345 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29) |
| May 3, 2007 | TX | CSSB 920 | Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| May 2, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| May 1, 2007 | CO | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| May 1, 2007 | CO | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| May 1, 2007 | CO | HB 1301 | Cervical Cancer Immunization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 1, 2007 | CO | HB 1301 | Cervical Cancer Immunization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 1, 2007 | VT | SA. 520 | Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| April 30, 2007 | KS | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8) |
| April 30, 2007 | TX | CSSB 987 | Complex Loan Counseling | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| April 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1678 | Employer Health Insurance Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13) |
| April 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1510 | Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| April 27, 2007 | IA | HF 920 | Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 27, 2007 | TX | CSSB 308 | Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| April 27, 2007 | MN | SF 100 | Public Funding for Stem Cell Research | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26) |
| April 27, 2007 | FL | CS SB 1710 | State University Tuition Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 26, 2007 | National | HR 1591 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007 with Iraq Withdrawal Timeline | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 46) |
| April 26, 2007 | TX | CSSB 785 | Abortion Reporting Requirement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 25, 2007 | IA | Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services | Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13) | |
| April 25, 2007 | IA | HF 909 | 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 25, 2007 | CT | SB 1343 | Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 25, 2007 | IA | SF 604 | Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| April 24, 2007 | NV | SB 52 | Governor Guinn Millennium Teaching Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7) |
| April 24, 2007 | NV | SB 415 | Undocumented Students and State Financial Aid Act | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 23, 2007 | ND | HB 1466 | Abortion Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16) |
| April 23, 2007 | IA | SF 485 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| April 23, 2007 | NV | SB 113 | Prostate Cancer Screening Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| April 20, 2007 | IL | S. Amdt. 3: Electric Rates Freeze | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 24) | |
| April 20, 2007 | IL | SB 1592 | Electric Rates Freeze | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| April 19, 2007 | IA | SF 277 | Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14) |
| April 19, 2007 | IA | SF 599 | Iowa Power Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| April 19, 2007 | NV | SB 409 | HPV Vaccine Coverage Act | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7) |
| April 18, 2007 | IA | SF 588 | 2008-2009 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/01 | HB 5656 | Immigrants and Postsecondary Education Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 5/31 | HB 802 | Requiring Seatbelts in Automotive Vehicles | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| 5/31 | H 3124 | Open Enrollment and Optional Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| 5/31 | Sub SB 167 | Restricting Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| 5/31 | HB 7400 | Tax Code Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| 5/31 | SJR 1 | Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| 5/31 | LB 653 | Standard Academic Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 5/31 | SB 120 | Nutritional Information Posting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 5/30 | Amendment No. P-2B | State Scholarships for Private Schools | Amendment Tabled - Senate (29 - 15) |
| 5/30 | LB 551 | Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| 5/29 | HB 2620 | Solar Energy in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| 5/29 | SB 223 | Required Liability Insurance Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 5/25 | HB 2650 | School Food Nutritional Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 5/25 | HB 2650 | School Food Nutritional Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 5/24 | SB 1325 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 5/24 | LB 641 | School Property Tax and Learning Communities Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 5/23 | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| 5/23 | Sub SB 125 | "Instant Racing Systems" Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 5/22 | HCS SB 357 | Disclosure for Late-Term Abortions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| 5/21 | SB 180 | Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 5/19 | HF 464 | School District Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16) |
| 5/19 | HF 464 | School District Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16) |
| 5/17 | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| 5/17 | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| 5/16 | LB 367 | Tax Credits and Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2) |
| 5/16 | SB 129 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 5/16 | SF 653 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 20) |
| 5/15 | SB 1006 | Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
| 5/14 | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17) |
| 5/14 | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17) |
| 5/11 | SF 238 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21) |
| 5/11 | SB 790 | Offshore Drilling Moratorium | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| 5/10 | HB 790 | Extending Medical Insurance Coverage for Dependents | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| 5/09 | Amendment No. 2c | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19) |
| 5/09 | Sub HB 7350 | In-School Suspensions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 5/09 | SB 1015 | Trans Fat Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| 5/08 | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21) |
| 5/07 | S Amdt 1010 | FDA Drug Import Certification Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 40) |
| 5/07 | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19) |
| 5/04 | CS HB 1497 | Abortion Waiting Periods | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 5/03 | CS HB 1047 | Casino Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| 5/03 | SF 345 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29) |
| 5/03 | CSSB 920 | Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 5/02 | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 5/01 | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 5/01 | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 5/01 | HB 1301 | Cervical Cancer Immunization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 5/01 | HB 1301 | Cervical Cancer Immunization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 5/01 | SA. 520 | Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| 4/30 | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 4/30 | CSSB 987 | Complex Loan Counseling | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| 4/29 | HB 1678 | Employer Health Insurance Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13) |
| 4/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 4/29 | HB 1510 | Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| 4/27 | HF 920 | Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| 4/27 | CSSB 308 | Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| 4/27 | SF 100 | Public Funding for Stem Cell Research | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26) |
| 4/27 | CS SB 1710 | State University Tuition Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 4/26 | HR 1591 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007 with Iraq Withdrawal Timeline | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 46) |
| 4/26 | CSSB 785 | Abortion Reporting Requirement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 4/25 | Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services | Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13) | |
| 4/25 | HF 909 | 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 4/25 | SB 1343 | Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/25 | SF 604 | Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| 4/24 | SB 52 | Governor Guinn Millennium Teaching Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7) |
| 4/24 | SB 415 | Undocumented Students and State Financial Aid Act | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| 4/23 | HB 1466 | Abortion Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16) |
| 4/23 | SF 485 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 4/23 | SB 113 | Prostate Cancer Screening Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 4/20 | S. Amdt. 3: Electric Rates Freeze | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 24) | |
| 4/20 | SB 1592 | Electric Rates Freeze | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| 4/19 | SF 277 | Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14) |
| 4/19 | SF 599 | Iowa Power Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| 4/19 | SB 409 | HPV Vaccine Coverage Act | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7) |
| 4/18 | SF 588 | 2008-2009 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |