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 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 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
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 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 22, 2006 NH SB 268 High School Dropout Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 21, 2006 KS SCS SB 323 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
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 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 16, 2006 KS SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
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 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
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 AL SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 13, 2006 OK SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
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 9, 2006 OK SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
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 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 SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 7, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 7, 2006 OK SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
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 3, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 3, 2006 AK CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
March 3, 2006 ID S 1382 Idaho Mathematics, Science and Engineering Scholarship Act Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
March 3, 2006 WI SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
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 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 1, 2006 ID SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 OK SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2006 WY SF 87 Board of Education Membership Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
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 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
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 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 50 Health Care Information Technology Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 14)
Feb. 21, 2006 IN HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
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. 20, 2006 VA HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
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 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2006 MI SB 838 Medicare Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Feb. 15, 2006 LA SB 49 Louisiana Housing and Land Trust Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 14, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2006 NM SB 216 Criminal DNA Collection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Feb. 10, 2006 WA Sub SB 6475 Certificate of Academic Achievement Alternative Methods Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2006 NM SB 294 Open Committee Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 8, 2006 ME LD 1798 Standardized Testing "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2006 ID S 1276 Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 6, 2006 MS SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2006 VA Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 2730 Medicare Part D Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45)
Feb. 2, 2006 VA SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2006 MS SB 2604 Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2006 MS SB 2602 Mississippi Education Reform Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 31, 2006 IN SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Jan. 31, 2006 NM SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
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)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/22 SB 268 High School Dropout Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/21 SCS SB 323 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
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 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)
3/16 SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
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 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
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 SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/13 SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
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)
3/09 SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
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)
3/07 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 SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/07 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/07 SB 1387 Physical Education Instruction Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/06 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
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)
3/03 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/03 CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
3/03 S 1382 Idaho Mathematics, Science and Engineering Scholarship Act Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
3/03 SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
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 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)
3/01 SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/28 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/24 SF 87 Board of Education Membership Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/23 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
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 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
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 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 SF 50 Health Care Information Technology Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 14)
2/21 HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/21 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
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)
2/20 HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
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 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/15 SB 838 Medicare Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
2/15 SB 49 Louisiana Housing and Land Trust Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/14 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/14 Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/14 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/14 Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/11 SB 216 Criminal DNA Collection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
2/10 Sub SB 6475 Certificate of Academic Achievement Alternative Methods Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
2/10 SB 294 Open Committee Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/08 LD 1798 Standardized Testing "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
2/08 S 1276 Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/07 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/06 SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
2/06 Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/02 S Amdt 2730 Medicare Part D Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45)
2/02 SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/02 SB 2604 Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/01 SB 2602 Mississippi Education Reform Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/31 SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
1/31 SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)

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