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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 29, 2006 | National | HR 4772 | Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 181) |
| Sept. 26, 2006 | National | HR 4772 | Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 | Bill Failed - House (234 - 172) |
| Sept. 21, 2006 | National | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
| Sept. 21, 2006 | National | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
| Sept. 14, 2006 | National | HR 6061 | Secure Fence Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (283 - 138) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1578 | Dog Restraint Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 32) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| Aug. 21, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (47 - 31) |
| Aug. 21, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (47 - 31) |
| July 27, 2006 | National | HR 4157 | Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (270 - 148) |
| July 25, 2006 | NC | HB 1323 | Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28) |
| July 25, 2006 | NC | HB 1323 | Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28) |
| July 20, 2006 | NC | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| July 20, 2006 | NC | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| July 14, 2006 | IA | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| July 10, 2006 | CO | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18) |
| July 8, 2006 | CO | HB 1023 | Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| July 1, 2006 | DE | SB 397 | State Resource Maps | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| June 29, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5699 | Marital Counseling | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| June 29, 2006 | DE | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| June 29, 2006 | DE | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| June 29, 2006 | DE | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| June 29, 2006 | PA | HB 1588 | Fluoride Content in Water | Bill Passed - House (150 - 42) |
| June 29, 2006 | CA | SB 1 | Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| June 29, 2006 | National | HR 5672 | Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 | Bill Passed - House (393 - 23) |
| June 28, 2006 | PA | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| June 28, 2006 | PA | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| June 27, 2006 | CA | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (64 - 8) |
| June 23, 2006 | RI | H 6885 | International Trade Agreements | Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15) |
| June 22, 2006 | NJ | A 3257 | Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| June 22, 2006 | National | HR 5638 | Death/Estate Tax Amendment | Bill Passed - House (269 - 156) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2143/2 | Affordable Housing Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
| June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47) |
| June 18, 2006 | LA | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| June 18, 2006 | LA | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| June 15, 2006 | LA | SB 742 | Smoking Ban Bill | Bill Passed - House (58 - 33) |
| June 14, 2006 | MD | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| June 14, 2006 | SC | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| June 14, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| June 14, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| June 14, 2006 | National | HR 5576 | Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (406 - 22) |
| June 14, 2006 | LA | SB 284 | Driver License Requirements for Minors | Bill Failed - House (42 - 48) |
| June 12, 2006 | PA | HB 698 | Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (169 - 28) |
| June 9, 2006 | National | HR 5522 | Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act | Bill Passed - House (373 - 34) |
| June 8, 2006 | MI | Sub for SB 861 | Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - House (61 - 40) |
| June 6, 2006 | RI | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| June 6, 2006 | LA | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| June 6, 2006 | PA | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| May 31, 2006 | WI | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| May 31, 2006 | SC | S 1267 | Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27) |
| 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 31, 2006 | LA | SB 33 | Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman | Bill Passed - House (85 - 17) |
| May 31, 2006 | CA | AB 1899 | Flood Assessment Requirements for Building | Bill Passed - House (42 - 35) |
| May 31, 2006 | LA | HB 1108 | Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| 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 Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12) |
| May 26, 2006 | TN | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| May 26, 2006 | OK | SB 1800 | Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8) |
| 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 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 | OH | Sub HB 184 | U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| May 25, 2006 | OH | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| May 25, 2006 | SC | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/29 | HR 4772 | Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 181) |
| 9/26 | HR 4772 | Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 | Bill Failed - House (234 - 172) |
| 9/21 | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
| 9/21 | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
| 9/14 | HR 6061 | Secure Fence Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (283 - 138) |
| 8/31 | SB 1578 | Dog Restraint Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 32) |
| 8/30 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 8/30 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 8/30 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| 8/29 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| 8/21 | SB 1437 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (47 - 31) |
| 8/21 | SB 1437 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (47 - 31) |
| 7/27 | HR 4157 | Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (270 - 148) |
| 7/25 | HB 1323 | Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28) |
| 7/25 | HB 1323 | Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28) |
| 7/20 | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| 7/20 | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15) |
| 7/14 | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| 7/10 | HB 1017 | Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18) |
| 7/08 | HB 1023 | Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| 7/08 | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - House (43 - 36) |
| 7/01 | SB 397 | State Resource Maps | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| 6/29 | Sub for HB 5699 | Marital Counseling | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| 6/29 | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| 6/29 | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| 6/29 | SB 60 | Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| 6/29 | HB 1588 | Fluoride Content in Water | Bill Passed - House (150 - 42) |
| 6/29 | SB 1 | Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| 6/29 | HR 5672 | Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 | Bill Passed - House (393 - 23) |
| 6/28 | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| 6/28 | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| 6/27 | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (64 - 8) |
| 6/23 | H 6885 | International Trade Agreements | Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15) |
| 6/22 | A 3257 | Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| 6/22 | HR 5638 | Death/Estate Tax Amendment | Bill Passed - House (269 - 156) |
| 6/19 | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2143/2 | Affordable Housing Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
| 6/19 | LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47) |
| 6/18 | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| 6/18 | HCR 127 | Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32) |
| 6/16 | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| 6/15 | SB 742 | Smoking Ban Bill | Bill Passed - House (58 - 33) |
| 6/14 | SB 52 | Maryland Transportation Authority | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| 6/14 | H 4410 | Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40) |
| 6/14 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| 6/14 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61) |
| 6/14 | HR 5576 | Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (406 - 22) |
| 6/14 | SB 284 | Driver License Requirements for Minors | Bill Failed - House (42 - 48) |
| 6/12 | HB 698 | Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (169 - 28) |
| 6/09 | HR 5522 | Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act | Bill Passed - House (373 - 34) |
| 6/08 | Sub for SB 861 | Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - House (61 - 40) |
| 6/06 | H 6874 | Ballot Questions from Governor | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| 6/06 | HB 194 | Minimum Wage for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| 6/06 | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| 5/31 | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| 5/31 | S 1267 | Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27) |
| 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) |
| 5/31 | SB 33 | Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman | Bill Passed - House (85 - 17) |
| 5/31 | AB 1899 | Flood Assessment Requirements for Building | Bill Passed - House (42 - 35) |
| 5/31 | HB 1108 | Lower Ninth Ward Improvement Authority | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| 5/30 | HB 6085 | Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License | Bill Passed - House (76 - 27) |
| 5/27 | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 12) |
| 5/26 | HA 1609 to HB 1114 | Primary Election Regulations Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45) |
| 5/26 | SB 1800 | Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8) |
| 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) |
| 5/25 | 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 | Sub HB 184 | U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| 5/25 | HJR 13 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42) |
| 5/25 | S 1084 | Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus | Bill Passed - House (81 - 18) |