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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 7, 2006 | National | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| Dec. 7, 2006 | National | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 3, 2006 | National | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| Aug. 1, 2006 | National | S 3711 | Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25) |
| July 25, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4689 | Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| July 19, 2006 | NC | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| July 18, 2006 | NC | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| July 18, 2006 | National | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| July 18, 2006 | NC | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| June 27, 2006 | CA | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| June 8, 2006 | AK | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
| June 7, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| June 7, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| June 6, 2006 | AK | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12) |
| June 1, 2006 | CA | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 25, 2006 | KS | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 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 - Senate (16 - 17) |
| May 24, 2006 | OK | SB 1713 | Trafficking Illegal Drugs | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24) |
| May 23, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5453 | Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| May 22, 2006 | AK | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| May 20, 2006 | MN | SF 762 | Clean Water Legacy Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12) |
| May 18, 2006 | NJ | S 1471 | Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| May 17, 2006 | TN | SA 1505 | Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| May 11, 2006 | CA | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 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 9, 2006 | LA | SB 655 | Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| May 5, 2006 | VT | H 861 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4) |
| May 4, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2) |
| May 4, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| May 3, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3688 | Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| May 3, 2006 | KS | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| May 3, 2006 | WI | AB 414 | Smoking Ban Expansion | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| May 3, 2006 | OK | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | VT | S 18 | Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 1, 2006 | CO | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | SCA A to LD 1935 | Dirigo Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 27, 2006 | CO | SB 138 | Ethanol Requirement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 25, 2006 | WI | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 20, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 20, 2006 | MO | SS SCS SB 1236 | Dam and Reservoir Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| April 20, 2006 | NH | HB 1673 | Reduction of Mercury Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
| April 20, 2006 | OR | SB 5644 | Social Services and Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 14, 2006 | VT | H 861 | Health Care Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3) |
| April 12, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 11, 2006 | HI | HB 1242 | Intentional Termination of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 11, 2006 | AZ | HB 2142 | Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| April 6, 2006 | NH | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| April 4, 2006 | AZ | HB 2254 | Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 3, 2006 | MN | SF 2734 | Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22) |
| March 31, 2006 | CO | HB 1212 | Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 31, 2006 | MD | SB 154 | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| March 30, 2006 | IL | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| March 30, 2006 | ID | H 800 | Water Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
| March 29, 2006 | CO | HB 1249 | Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 28, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/07 | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| 12/07 | PN 1396 | Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11) |
| 8/31 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 8/31 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/31 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/30 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/30 | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 8/30 | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 8/29 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 8/29 | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/03 | HR 5970 | Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| 8/01 | S 3711 | Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25) |
| 7/25 | S Amdt 4689 | Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| 7/19 | HB 2699 | Early Childhood Vision Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| 7/18 | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 7/18 | HR 810 | Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| 7/18 | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 7/08 | A 4705 | Tobacco Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/08 | A 4707 | Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 6/27 | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| 6/08 | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
| 6/07 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 6/07 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 6/06 | HCS CS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12) |
| 6/01 | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 5/30 | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/25 | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 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 - Senate (16 - 17) |
| 5/24 | SB 1713 | Trafficking Illegal Drugs | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24) |
| 5/23 | Sub for HB 5453 | Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 5/22 | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| 5/20 | SF 762 | Clean Water Legacy Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12) |
| 5/18 | S 1471 | Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| 5/17 | SA 1505 | Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| 5/11 | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 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) |
| 5/09 | SB 655 | Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 5/05 | H 861 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4) |
| 5/04 | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2) |
| 5/04 | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 5/03 | S Amdt 3688 | Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| 5/03 | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 5/03 | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| 5/03 | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| 5/03 | AB 414 | Smoking Ban Expansion | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| 5/03 | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| 5/02 | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/02 | S 18 | Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 5/02 | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/01 | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 4/28 | SCA A to LD 1935 | Dirigo Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/27 | SB 138 | Ethanol Requirement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 4/25 | AB 4 | Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 4/20 | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 4/20 | SS SCS SB 1236 | Dam and Reservoir Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| 4/20 | HB 1673 | Reduction of Mercury Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
| 4/20 | SB 5644 | Social Services and Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| 4/14 | H 861 | Health Care Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3) |
| 4/12 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 4/11 | HB 1242 | Intentional Termination of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 4/11 | HB 2142 | Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 4/06 | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| 4/04 | HB 2254 | Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 4/03 | SF 2734 | Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22) |
| 3/31 | HB 1212 | Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 3/31 | SB 154 | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| 3/30 | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| 3/30 | H 800 | Water Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
| 3/29 | HB 1249 | Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/28 | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 3/28 | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |