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 28, 2006 NE LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 28, 2006 OH HB 530 Budget Correction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
March 28, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 265 Air Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
March 27, 2006 ME LD 1640 Charter School Pilot Program "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
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 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
March 27, 2006 MN HF 2680 Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided Bill Failed - House (62 - 70)
March 27, 2006 ME LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
March 27, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
March 27, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
March 24, 2006 KS Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Passed - House (64 - 61)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
March 24, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 293 Public Charter School Program Reform Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 23, 2006 MD Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
March 23, 2006 ID H 421 Property Tax-Homestead Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 23, 2006 MI HB 5606 New Graduation Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
March 23, 2006 ID H 743 School Facilities Improvement Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 23, 2006 FL HB 205 Prohibition of Certain Financial Assistance to International Students Bill Passed - House (96 - 23)
March 23, 2006 GA HCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - House (123 - 51)
March 23, 2006 KS HCR 5025 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (81 - 43)
March 22, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 KS HCR 5032 Legislative Appropriations Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58)
March 22, 2006 ID H 777 Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
March 22, 2006 NH SB 268 High School Dropout Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
March 21, 2006 NH CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
March 21, 2006 NH Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
March 21, 2006 OH HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 21, 2006 OH HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 21, 2006 ID H 823 State Affairs Building Code Board Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
March 21, 2006 ID H 823 State Affairs Building Code Board Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
March 21, 2006 KS SCS SB 323 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 21, 2006 KS SB 139 Math and Science Academy Bill Passed - House (76 - 48)
March 21, 2006 IA HF 2709 School Year Minimum Hours Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 20, 2006 ID H 768 Public Charter Schools Bill Failed - House (18 - 46)
March 17, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
March 16, 2006 NH SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
March 16, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
March 16, 2006 ID H 663 Medicaid Personal Health Accounts Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
March 16, 2006 IA HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
March 16, 2006 IA HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
March 16, 2006 KS SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
March 16, 2006 OK HB 2844 Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill Bill Passed - House (70 - 18)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 15, 2006 IA H-8172 Teacher Salary Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 15, 2006 IA H-8178 Preschool Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 15, 2006 IA HF 2527 2006-2007 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
March 15, 2006 OK SB 1372 Issuing Temporary Teacher Licenses Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
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 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
March 14, 2006 OK HB 2540 Alternative Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
March 14, 2006 OK HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
March 14, 2006 OK HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
March 14, 2006 AL SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 14, 2006 PA SB 862 State Gaming Bill Passed - House (180 - 20)
March 14, 2006 OK HCS HB 2608 End-of-Instruction Tests Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
March 14, 2006 OK HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 13, 2006 MO CCS SCS HCS HB 1014 Budget Supplements Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 63)
March 13, 2006 OK SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 13, 2006 OK HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
March 13, 2006 OK HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
March 11, 2006 WV Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 10, 2006 CO Amendment L.004 Balanced Teaching Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20)
March 10, 2006 ID H 751 Math & Science Teacher Loan Program Bill Bill Failed - House (31 - 34)
March 10, 2006 ID H 703 College Loan Program Bill Failed - House (27 - 38)
March 9, 2006 NH HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
March 9, 2006 OK SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
March 8, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
March 8, 2006 GA SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 8, 2006 National HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
March 7, 2006 KS Amend HB 2615 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58)
March 7, 2006 KS Amend HB 2615 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58)
March 7, 2006 WI SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/28 LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/28 HB 530 Budget Correction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
3/28 Am Sub SB 265 Air Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/28 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
3/28 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
3/27 LD 1640 Charter School Pilot Program "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
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 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
3/27 HF 2680 Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided Bill Failed - House (62 - 70)
3/27 LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
3/27 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
3/27 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
3/24 Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Passed - House (64 - 61)
3/24 SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
3/24 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/24 SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/24 SB 293 Public Charter School Program Reform Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/23 Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
3/23 H 421 Property Tax-Homestead Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/23 HB 5606 New Graduation Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
3/23 H 743 School Facilities Improvement Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/23 HB 205 Prohibition of Certain Financial Assistance to International Students Bill Passed - House (96 - 23)
3/23 HCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - House (123 - 51)
3/23 HCR 5025 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (81 - 43)
3/22 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 HCR 5032 Legislative Appropriations Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58)
3/22 H 777 Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
3/22 SB 268 High School Dropout Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/21 HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
3/21 CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
3/21 Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
3/21 HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
3/21 HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/21 HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/21 H 823 State Affairs Building Code Board Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
3/21 H 823 State Affairs Building Code Board Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
3/21 SCS SB 323 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/21 SB 139 Math and Science Academy Bill Passed - House (76 - 48)
3/21 HF 2709 School Year Minimum Hours Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/20 H 768 Public Charter Schools Bill Failed - House (18 - 46)
3/17 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
3/16 SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/16 S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
3/16 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
3/16 H 663 Medicaid Personal Health Accounts Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
3/16 HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
3/16 HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
3/16 SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
3/16 HB 2844 Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill Bill Passed - House (70 - 18)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/15 H-8172 Teacher Salary Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/15 H-8178 Preschool Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/15 HF 2527 2006-2007 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
3/15 SB 1372 Issuing Temporary Teacher Licenses Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
3/14 HB 2540 Alternative Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
3/14 HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
3/14 HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
3/14 SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/14 SB 862 State Gaming Bill Passed - House (180 - 20)
3/14 HCS HB 2608 End-of-Instruction Tests Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
3/14 HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/13 CCS SCS HCS HB 1014 Budget Supplements Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 63)
3/13 SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/13 HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
3/13 HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
3/11 Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/10 Amendment L.004 Balanced Teaching Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20)
3/10 H 751 Math & Science Teacher Loan Program Bill Bill Failed - House (31 - 34)
3/10 H 703 College Loan Program Bill Failed - House (27 - 38)
3/09 HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
3/09 HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
3/09 SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
3/09 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
3/09 HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
3/08 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
3/08 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
3/08 SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/08 HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
3/07 Amend HB 2615 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58)
3/07 Amend HB 2615 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58)
3/07 SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)

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