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 31, 2006 LA HB 1108 Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
May 31, 2006 LA HB 1108 Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2378 Affordable Housing Bill Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1383 Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 27, 2006 TN SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12)
May 27, 2006 TN SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
May 26, 2006 TN HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
May 25, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 OH Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 25, 2006 National S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
May 25, 2006 OH HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42)
May 25, 2006 OH HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37)
May 25, 2006 SC S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
May 25, 2006 SC S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
May 24, 2006 National S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
May 24, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 7)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
May 24, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1337 Cities and Towns, Modifying Provisions For Clean Up of Agricultural Property. Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
May 24, 2006 OH SCS HCS HB 115 Educational Regional Service System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 652 Cockfighting Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 23, 2006 MI Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 22, 2006 ME LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - House (75 - 66)
May 22, 2006 ME LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 22, 2006 CA AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
May 18, 2006 OK SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 18, 2006 LA HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
May 18, 2006 National HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
May 17, 2006 National S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
May 17, 2006 TN SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 16, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 16, 2006 MI HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
May 16, 2006 MI HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
May 15, 2006 TX HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
May 15, 2006 TX HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
May 15, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
May 15, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
May 12, 2006 MO HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 40)
May 11, 2006 MO SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
May 11, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 11, 2006 TN SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 11, 2006 MO HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 SC H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
May 9, 2006 KS SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 54)
May 9, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
May 9, 2006 KS SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
May 9, 2006 AK SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 13)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 8, 2006 NY A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
May 7, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 7, 2006 AK SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/31 HB 1108 Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
5/31 HB 1108 Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/31 AB 2378 Affordable Housing Bill Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
5/30 SB 1383 Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/27 SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12)
5/27 SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
5/26 HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/26 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
5/25 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/25 S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/25 S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
5/25 HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42)
5/25 HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37)
5/25 S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
5/25 S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
5/24 S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
5/24 Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 7)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
5/24 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
5/24 Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
5/24 SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 SB 1337 Cities and Towns, Modifying Provisions For Clean Up of Agricultural Property. Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
5/24 SCS HCS HB 115 Educational Regional Service System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
5/23 S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
5/23 SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
5/23 SB 652 Cockfighting Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/23 Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/22 LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - House (75 - 66)
5/22 LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/22 AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37)
5/18 S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonies Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
5/18 S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
5/18 SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/18 HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
5/18 HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
5/17 S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
5/17 SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/16 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/16 HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
5/16 HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
5/15 HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
5/15 HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
5/15 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
5/15 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
5/12 HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 40)
5/11 SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
5/11 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/11 SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/11 HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 54)
5/09 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
5/09 SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 13)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/08 A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
5/07 HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/07 SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)

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