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
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 19, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
April 19, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
April 19, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 64)
April 19, 2007 NV SB 409 HPV Vaccine Coverage Act Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 19, 2007 National HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
April 18, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 17, 2007 GA SCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
April 17, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
April 17, 2007 CO SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 16, 2007 NV AB 601 Local Government Employee-Management Relations Act Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
April 12, 2007 TX F 2 Marriage License Fee Bill Not Tabled - House (61 - 76)
April 12, 2007 CO HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 12, 2007 NH SB 176 Children's Lead Poisoning Level Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
April 11, 2007 AZ HB 2033 Teen Drivers License Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
April 11, 2007 WA Sub SB 5297 Sexual Health Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
April 10, 2007 AK CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
April 10, 2007 AK CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
April 10, 2007 SC S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
April 10, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 10, 2007 WA Sub SB 5336 Legal Benefits for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 9, 2007 ND HB 1320 Prekindergarten Aid Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
April 6, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
April 5, 2007 CO SJM Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 5, 2007 AZ HB 2467 Proof of Residency for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (31 - 22)
April 5, 2007 SC S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 5, 2007 SC S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 5, 2007 CO SJM 2 Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - House (38 - 26)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21)
April 4, 2007 NH HB 437 Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (243 - 129)
April 4, 2007 TX HB 109 Child Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
April 4, 2007 NH HB 514 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (286 - 69)
April 3, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
April 3, 2007 OR HB 2650 School Food Nutritional Standards Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
March 29, 2007 CO SJM Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 29, 2007 IL HB 1769 Smoking Ban in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (18 - 91)
March 29, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 29, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 29, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 29, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
March 29, 2007 CO SJM 2 Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 28, 2007 NH CACR 1 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (233 - 124)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)
March 28, 2007 ID H 81 Income Tax Credit for Food Veto Override Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
March 28, 2007 NH HR 10 Resolution Against the Iraq War Resolution Passed - House (214 - 151)
March 28, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
March 28, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 28, 2007 MI Sub HB 4162 Anti School Bullying Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
March 28, 2007 IL HB 1100 Driver's Certificates for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
March 28, 2007 MN SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 27, 2007 SC Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
March 27, 2007 National S Amdt 643 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 27, 2007 KS SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 27, 2007 GA HCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - House (101 - 63)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 26, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
March 24, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
March 23, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 23, 2007 VT H. 353 Amending Unionization Requirements for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 59)
March 23, 2007 MD HB 6 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (81 - 57)
March 23, 2007 ND SB 2181 Prenatal Care for Minors Bill Failed - House (46 - 46)
March 22, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
March 22, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
March 21, 2007 NH HB 51 Adoptions by Unmarried Couples Bill Passed - House (234 - 127)
March 21, 2007 NH HB 51 Adoptions by Unmarried Couples Bill Passed - House (234 - 127)
March 21, 2007 TX HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
March 21, 2007 NH CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 KS HB 2140 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 20, 2007 GA HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 20, 2007 TX CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
March 20, 2007 IL SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 19, 2007 ID S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
March 19, 2007 ID S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
March 19, 2007 IA HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 16, 2007 MD HB 754 Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 37)
March 16, 2007 MD SB 533 Removal of Remarriage Barriers Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22)
March 15, 2007 NJ A 1044 Notification of Job Loss and Plant Closures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 15, 2007 AZ HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
March 15, 2007 National S J Res 9 United States Policy in Iraq Resolution of 2007 Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
March 15, 2007 AZ HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
March 15, 2007 KS HB 2530 Physician Liability Exemption Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
March 15, 2007 NH SB 18 Raising the Compulsory School Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/19 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
4/19 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
4/19 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 64)
4/19 SB 409 HPV Vaccine Coverage Act Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/19 HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
4/18 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
4/18 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/17 SCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
4/17 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
4/17 SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/16 AB 601 Local Government Employee-Management Relations Act Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
4/12 F 2 Marriage License Fee Bill Not Tabled - House (61 - 76)
4/12 HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/12 SB 176 Children's Lead Poisoning Level Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
4/11 HB 2033 Teen Drivers License Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
4/11 Sub SB 5297 Sexual Health Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
4/10 CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
4/10 CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
4/10 S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
4/10 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/10 Sub SB 5336 Legal Benefits for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/09 HB 1320 Prekindergarten Aid Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
4/06 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
4/05 SJM Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/05 HB 2467 Proof of Residency for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (31 - 22)
4/05 S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/05 S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/05 SJM 2 Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - House (38 - 26)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21)
4/04 HB 437 Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (243 - 129)
4/04 HB 109 Child Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
4/04 HB 514 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (286 - 69)
4/03 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
4/03 HB 2650 School Food Nutritional Standards Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
3/29 SJM Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/29 HB 1769 Smoking Ban in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (18 - 91)
3/29 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/29 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/29 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/29 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
3/29 SJM 2 Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/28 CACR 1 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (233 - 124)
3/28 HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)
3/28 H 81 Income Tax Credit for Food Veto Override Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/28 HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
3/28 HR 10 Resolution Against the Iraq War Resolution Passed - House (214 - 151)
3/28 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
3/28 HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
3/28 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/28 Sub HB 4162 Anti School Bullying Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
3/28 HB 1100 Driver's Certificates for Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
3/28 SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/27 Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
3/27 S Amdt 643 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/27 SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/27 HCS HB 340 Children’s Health Care Eligibility Bill Passed - House (101 - 63)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/26 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
3/24 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
3/23 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/23 H. 353 Amending Unionization Requirements for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 59)
3/23 HB 6 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (81 - 57)
3/23 SB 2181 Prenatal Care for Minors Bill Failed - House (46 - 46)
3/22 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
3/22 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
3/21 HB 51 Adoptions by Unmarried Couples Bill Passed - House (234 - 127)
3/21 HB 51 Adoptions by Unmarried Couples Bill Passed - House (234 - 127)
3/21 HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
3/21 CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 HB 2140 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/20 HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/20 CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
3/20 SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/19 S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
3/19 S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
3/19 HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/16 HB 754 Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 37)
3/16 SB 533 Removal of Remarriage Barriers Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22)
3/15 A 1044 Notification of Job Loss and Plant Closures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/15 HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
3/15 S J Res 9 United States Policy in Iraq Resolution of 2007 Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
3/15 HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
3/15 HB 2530 Physician Liability Exemption Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
3/15 SB 18 Raising the Compulsory School Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)

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