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. 18, 2007 | National | HR 2764 | Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17) |
| Dec. 13, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4869 | Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | SB 176 | Compensation for Discharged Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| Dec. 10, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Nov. 29, 2007 | WA | Sub SB 6178 | Property Tax Deferral | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| Nov. 29, 2007 | WA | HB 2416 | Adjusting the Property Tax Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| Nov. 20, 2007 | MI | HB 5408 | Michigan Business Tax Surcharge | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| Nov. 8, 2007 | National | HR 1495 | Water Resources Development Act of 2007 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (79 - 14) |
| Nov. 8, 2007 | National | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| Nov. 8, 2007 | WI | SB 299 | School Tax Credit Formula | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Oct. 31, 2007 | MI | SB 232 | 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16) |
| Oct. 31, 2007 | MI | SB 229 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Oct. 30, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4344 | 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| Oct. 30, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4348 | 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| Oct. 30, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4360 | 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | SB 231 | 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 235 | 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| Oct. 24, 2007 | National | S 2205 | DREAM Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 44) |
| Oct. 23, 2007 | WI | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Oct. 23, 2007 | WI | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Oct. 23, 2007 | WI | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Oct. 22, 2007 | NY | S 6484 | Driver's License Citizenship Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
| Oct. 18, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Oct. 18, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Oct. 16, 2007 | National | HR 3093 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19) |
| Oct. 12, 2007 | IL | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1) |
| Oct. 3, 2007 | IL | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| Oct. 3, 2007 | National | S Amdt 3117 | Border Fence and Customs Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (95 - 1) |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 547 | Public School Employee Retirement Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 547 | Public School Employee Retirement Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | MI | H Sub for S Sub SB 546 | Public School Employee Retirement Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Sept. 30, 2007 | MI | Sub SB 418 | Public Employees Health Benefit Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Sept. 27, 2007 | MI | Sub SB 374 | Estate Recovery for Medicaid Recipients in Michigan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Sept. 26, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2997 | Expressing the Sense of Congress Regarding Federalism in Iraq | Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 23) |
| Sept. 23, 2007 | MI | Sub SB 237 | 2007-2008 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Sept. 18, 2007 | IL | HB 2035 | Gaming Expansion to Fund Infrastructure and Social Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| Sept. 5, 2007 | CA | AB 1155 | Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Sept. 4, 2007 | MI | Sub SB 418 | Public Employees Health Benefit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| Aug. 30, 2007 | CA | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 9, 2007 | IL | HB 556 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24) |
| July 26, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2405 | REAL ID Funding | Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44) |
| July 26, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2480 | Border Fence and Customs Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1) |
| July 16, 2007 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36) |
| July 9, 2007 | KY | SCS SB 5 | Public Employee Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| July 9, 2007 | KY | SCS SB 5 | Public Employee Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| July 3, 2007 | NC | SCS HB 973 | Mental Health Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| June 28, 2007 | National | S 1639 | Second Immigration Act of 2007 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 53) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/18 | HR 2764 | Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17) |
| 12/13 | S Sub for Sub HB 4869 | Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| 12/11 | SB 176 | Compensation for Discharged Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| 12/10 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 11/29 | Sub SB 6178 | Property Tax Deferral | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 11/29 | HB 2416 | Adjusting the Property Tax Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 11/20 | HB 5408 | Michigan Business Tax Surcharge | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 11/19 | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| 11/19 | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| 11/08 | HR 1495 | Water Resources Development Act of 2007 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (79 - 14) |
| 11/08 | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| 11/08 | SB 299 | School Tax Credit Formula | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 10/31 | SB 232 | 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 10/31 | SB 229 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
| 10/30 | S Sub for Sub HB 4344 | 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 10/30 | S Sub for Sub HB 4348 | 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 10/30 | S Sub for Sub HB 4360 | 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 10/29 | SB 231 | 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 10/29 | H Sub for Sub SB 235 | 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 10/29 | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 10/24 | S 2205 | DREAM Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 44) |
| 10/23 | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 10/23 | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 10/23 | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 10/22 | S 6484 | Driver's License Citizenship Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
| 10/18 | S Sub for Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 10/18 | S Sub for Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 10/16 | HR 3093 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19) |
| 10/12 | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1) |
| 10/03 | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| 10/03 | S Amdt 3117 | Border Fence and Customs Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (95 - 1) |
| 10/01 | H Sub for Sub SB 547 | Public School Employee Retirement Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 10/01 | H Sub for Sub SB 547 | Public School Employee Retirement Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 10/01 | H Sub for S Sub SB 546 | Public School Employee Retirement Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 9/30 | Sub SB 418 | Public Employees Health Benefit Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 9/27 | Sub SB 374 | Estate Recovery for Medicaid Recipients in Michigan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 9/26 | S Amdt 2997 | Expressing the Sense of Congress Regarding Federalism in Iraq | Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 23) |
| 9/23 | Sub SB 237 | 2007-2008 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 9/18 | HB 2035 | Gaming Expansion to Fund Infrastructure and Social Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| 9/05 | AB 1155 | Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 9/04 | Sub SB 418 | Public Employees Health Benefit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| 8/30 | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/09 | HB 556 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24) |
| 7/26 | S Amdt 2405 | REAL ID Funding | Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44) |
| 7/26 | S Amdt 2480 | Border Fence and Customs Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1) |
| 7/16 | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36) |
| 7/09 | SCS SB 5 | Public Employee Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| 7/09 | SCS SB 5 | Public Employee Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| 7/03 | SCS HB 973 | Mental Health Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 6/28 | S 1639 | Second Immigration Act of 2007 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 53) |