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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4064 | English As National Language Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35) |
| May 18, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4073 | English as Unifying Language Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39) |
| May 18, 2006 | OK | SB 1742 | Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| May 18, 2006 | LA | HB 1142 | Parole Eligibility | Bill Failed - House (37 - 48) |
| May 17, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3965 | Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| May 17, 2006 | LA | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| May 17, 2006 | LA | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| May 16, 2006 | WI | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| May 16, 2006 | MI | HB 5633 | English as the Official Language Bill | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| May 16, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 16, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| May 12, 2006 | MO | SCS HCS HB 1485 | Tax Credits for Donors to Pregnancy Centers and Children in Crisis Centers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 26) |
| May 12, 2006 | MO | SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 | Unemployment Compensation Changes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 65) |
| May 11, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| May 11, 2006 | TN | SB 1678 | Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| May 11, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 11, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 11, 2006 | TN | SB 1678 | Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24) |
| May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
| May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24) |
| May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
| May 10, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185) |
| May 10, 2006 | SC | H 4932 | South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (85 - 18) |
| May 9, 2006 | RI | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
| May 8, 2006 | CO | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16) |
| May 8, 2006 | NY | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| May 8, 2006 | NY | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| May 8, 2006 | NY | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| May 7, 2006 | AK | HCS CS SB 20 | Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| May 5, 2006 | VT | H 865 | Non-Discrimination Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47) |
| May 5, 2006 | CO | SB 234 | Public Construction Bidding Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| May 4, 2006 | WI | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45) |
| May 4, 2006 | WI | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| May 4, 2006 | DE | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| May 4, 2006 | DE | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| May 4, 2006 | DE | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| May 4, 2006 | NH | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8) |
| May 4, 2006 | LA | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| May 4, 2006 | LA | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| May 4, 2006 | AK | HCS CS SB 20 | Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child | Bill Passed - House (30 - 9) |
| May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
| May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
| May 3, 2006 | OK | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| May 3, 2006 | OK | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1315 | Juvenile Criminal Parole Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Failed - House (32 - 32) |
| May 3, 2006 | RI | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 3, 2006 | RI | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | CO | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |
| May 2, 2006 | TX | HB 3 | Business Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| May 1, 2006 | TN | HA 1232 | Removing Sexual Orientation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 32) |
| May 1, 2006 | KS | HB 2554 | DNA Sampling in Felony Cases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 30, 2006 | CT | LCO # 5227 | Estate/Death and Gift Taxes Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 98) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | HCA C to LD 1717 | Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | HCA C to LD 1717 | Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1789 | Environmental Terrorism Protection | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
| April 27, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 4 | Birth Information for Adult Adoptees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| April 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| April 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| April 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| April 27, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 4 | Birth Information for Adult Adoptees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| April 27, 2006 | CO | HB 1315 | Juvenile Criminal Parole Act | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| April 27, 2006 | MO | HCS HB 1814 | English as the States Official Language | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
| April 27, 2006 | CA | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| April 27, 2006 | CA | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| April 27, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4064 | English As National Language Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35) |
| 5/18 | S Amdt 4073 | English as Unifying Language Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39) |
| 5/18 | SB 1742 | Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| 5/18 | HB 1142 | Parole Eligibility | Bill Failed - House (37 - 48) |
| 5/17 | S Amdt 3965 | Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 5/17 | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| 5/17 | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| 5/16 | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 5/16 | HB 5633 | English as the Official Language Bill | Bill Passed - House (73 - 32) |
| 5/16 | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 5/16 | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 5/15 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| 5/12 | SCS HCS HB 1485 | Tax Credits for Donors to Pregnancy Centers and Children in Crisis Centers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 26) |
| 5/12 | SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 | Unemployment Compensation Changes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 65) |
| 5/11 | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 5/11 | SB 1678 | Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| 5/11 | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 5/11 | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 5/11 | SB 1678 | Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| 5/10 | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24) |
| 5/10 | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
| 5/10 | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24) |
| 5/10 | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
| 5/10 | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185) |
| 5/10 | H 4932 | South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (85 - 18) |
| 5/09 | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
| 5/08 | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 5/08 | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| 5/08 | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| 5/08 | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
| 5/07 | HCS CS SB 20 | Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| 5/05 | H 865 | Non-Discrimination Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47) |
| 5/05 | SB 234 | Public Construction Bidding Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| 5/04 | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45) |
| 5/04 | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| 5/04 | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| 5/04 | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| 5/04 | HB 368 | Hunting License Restrictions for Felons | Bill Passed - House (21 - 14) |
| 5/04 | HB 1331 | TANF Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8) |
| 5/04 | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 5/04 | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 5/04 | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 5/04 | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 5/04 | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 5/04 | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| 5/04 | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| 5/04 | HCS CS SB 20 | Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child | Bill Passed - House (30 - 9) |
| 5/03 | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 5/03 | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 5/03 | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| 5/03 | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| 5/03 | HB 1315 | Juvenile Criminal Parole Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 5/03 | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Failed - House (32 - 32) |
| 5/03 | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| 5/03 | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| 5/02 | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/02 | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3) |
| 5/02 | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |
| 5/02 | HB 3 | Business Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 5/01 | HA 1232 | Removing Sexual Orientation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 32) |
| 5/01 | HB 2554 | DNA Sampling in Felony Cases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 4/30 | LCO # 5227 | Estate/Death and Gift Taxes Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 98) |
| 4/28 | HCA C to LD 1717 | Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| 4/28 | HCA C to LD 1717 | Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| 4/28 | LD 1789 | Environmental Terrorism Protection | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
| 4/27 | Sub SB 4 | Birth Information for Adult Adoptees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| 4/27 | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| 4/27 | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| 4/27 | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| 4/27 | Sub SB 4 | Birth Information for Adult Adoptees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| 4/27 | HB 1315 | Juvenile Criminal Parole Act | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| 4/27 | HCS HB 1814 | English as the States Official Language | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
| 4/27 | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 4/27 | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 4/27 | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |