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 7, 2006 ME LD 1798 Standardized Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 68)
March 7, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
March 7, 2006 OK SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 7, 2006 IA HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 7, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 7, 2006 HI HB 1242 Intentional Termination of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (50 - 13)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 7, 2006 OK HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
March 6, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
March 6, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
March 6, 2006 OK SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 6, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
March 6, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 3, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 3, 2006 WI SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 3, 2006 ID S 1382 Idaho Mathematics, Science and Engineering Scholarship Act Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
March 3, 2006 AK CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
March 3, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (77 - 58)
March 2, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
March 2, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
March 2, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
March 2, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
March 2, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 2, 2006 OK HB 2107 Science Instruction Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
March 2, 2006 NJ A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 2, 2006 IN SB 117 Incentives to Reduce Employee Tobacco Use as Related to Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
March 2, 2006 MI HB 5606 New Graduation Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 31)
March 2, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
March 1, 2006 MO HA 3 Health Care Premiums Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (76 - 82)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
March 1, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
March 1, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
March 1, 2006 ID SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 1, 2006 CT HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1289 Colorado Student Assessment Program Penalty Removal Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID H 485 Public Infrastructure Improvement Districts (PIDS) Bill Failed - House (30 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2006 UT 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 OK SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 27)
Feb. 27, 2006 WV HB 4021 SUB Health Care Changes Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2006 UT 3SSB 96 Origin of Species Curriculum Requirement Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 46)
Feb. 27, 2006 ID H 624 School Property Disposal Bill Passed - House (48 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2006 WY SF 87 Board of Education Membership Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
Feb. 23, 2006 KY HCS HB 338 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Bill Bill Passed - House (83 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2006 KS Sub HB 2829 Clinic Regulation Bill Passed - House (63 - 62)
Feb. 23, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2006 OK HCS HB 2369 Parental Written Consent Requirement for Minor’s Abortion Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2006 WY HB 54 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (26 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2006 OK HCS HB 2496 Information Requirement Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 VT HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 KS Amend Abortion Clinic Regulation Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (66 - 56)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 ID H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2006 UT 1SHB 181 Education Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 50 Health Care Information Technology Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2006 KY HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 21, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
Feb. 21, 2006 IN HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2006 MI HB 4278 Community Service Graduation Requirement Bill Passed - House (60 - 43)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT 1SHB 107 Full-Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
Feb. 20, 2006 VA HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2006 VA HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2006 CO SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2006 GA HCS SB 390 Classroom First Act for Georgia Bill Passed - House (102 - 70)
Feb. 16, 2006 AZ SB 1157 Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2006 AZ SB 1157 Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HB 394 School Traffic Signal Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
Feb. 15, 2006 KS Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2006 SC H 3881 South Carolina Priority Investment Act Bill Passed - House (62 - 41)
Feb. 15, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2006 KS HB 2619 Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (108 - 14)
Feb. 15, 2006 LA SB 49 Louisiana Housing and Land Trust Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/07 LD 1798 Standardized Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 68)
3/07 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
3/07 SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/07 HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
3/07 SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/07 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/07 HB 1242 Intentional Termination of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (50 - 13)
3/07 SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/07 HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
3/06 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
3/06 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
3/06 SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
3/06 SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/06 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/06 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
3/06 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/03 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/03 SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/03 S 1382 Idaho Mathematics, Science and Engineering Scholarship Act Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
3/03 CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
3/03 H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (77 - 58)
3/02 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
3/02 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
3/02 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
3/02 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
3/02 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/02 HB 2107 Science Instruction Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
3/02 A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/02 SB 117 Incentives to Reduce Employee Tobacco Use as Related to Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
3/02 HB 5606 New Graduation Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 31)
3/02 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
3/01 HA 3 Health Care Premiums Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (76 - 82)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
3/01 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
3/01 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
3/01 SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/01 HB 5684 State Contracting Bill Passed - House (76 - 61)
2/28 HB 1289 Colorado Student Assessment Program Penalty Removal Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/28 HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
2/28 H 485 Public Infrastructure Improvement Districts (PIDS) Bill Failed - House (30 - 39)
2/28 1SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 16)
2/28 SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/28 SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/28 SB 111 Student Nutrition and Physical Activity Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/28 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/27 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 27)
2/27 HB 4021 SUB Health Care Changes Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
2/27 3SSB 96 Origin of Species Curriculum Requirement Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 46)
2/27 H 624 School Property Disposal Bill Passed - House (48 - 18)
2/24 SF 87 Board of Education Membership Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/24 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (87 - 34)
2/23 HCS HB 338 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Bill Bill Passed - House (83 - 15)
2/23 Sub HB 2829 Clinic Regulation Bill Passed - House (63 - 62)
2/23 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/23 HCS HB 2369 Parental Written Consent Requirement for Minor’s Abortion Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/23 HB 54 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (26 - 33)
2/23 HCS HB 2496 Information Requirement Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
2/22 HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 Amend Abortion Clinic Regulation Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (66 - 56)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
2/22 H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 1SHB 181 Education Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
2/22 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/22 SF 50 Health Care Information Technology Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 14)
2/22 HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/21 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
2/21 HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/21 HB 4278 Community Service Graduation Requirement Bill Passed - House (60 - 43)
2/21 HB 1643 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 28)
2/20 1SHB 107 Full-Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
2/20 HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/20 HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/20 SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/16 HCS SB 390 Classroom First Act for Georgia Bill Passed - House (102 - 70)
2/16 SB 1157 Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/16 SB 1157 Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/15 HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
2/15 HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
2/15 HB 394 School Traffic Signal Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
2/15 Sub HB 2525 Taxation Bill Passed - House (106 - 15)
2/15 H 3881 South Carolina Priority Investment Act Bill Passed - House (62 - 41)
2/15 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/15 HB 2619 Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (108 - 14)
2/15 SB 49 Louisiana Housing and Land Trust Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)

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