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. 17, 2007 | National | HR 2764 | Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (253 - 154) |
| Dec. 17, 2007 | National | HR 2764 | Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201) |
| Dec. 13, 2007 | National | HR 2082 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Conference Report Adopted - House (222 - 199) |
| Dec. 13, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
| Dec. 13, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
| Dec. 12, 2007 | National | HR 4299 | Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension and Modification | Bill Passed - House (303 - 116) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | ASA 1 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | ASA 1 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | AJR 5 | State Christmas Tree | Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (84 - 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) |
| Dec. 10, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Dec. 5, 2007 | MI | HB 4163 | Workplace Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (56 - 46) |
| Nov. 15, 2007 | National | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 189) |
| Nov. 15, 2007 | National | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 189) |
| Nov. 8, 2007 | National | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| Nov. 8, 2007 | National | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| Nov. 1, 2007 | MA | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
| Nov. 1, 2007 | National | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30) |
| 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 - House (83 - 25) |
| Oct. 31, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 240 | 2007-2008 Transportation Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21) |
| Oct. 31, 2007 | MI | SB 232 | 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
| 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 | SB 233 | 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 14) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4344 | 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 28) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 4348 | 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 45) |
| Oct. 25, 2007 | National | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - House (265 - 142) |
| Oct. 18, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156) |
| 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. 16, 2007 | National | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| Oct. 16, 2007 | National | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| Oct. 16, 2007 | National | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| Oct. 11, 2007 | IL | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| Oct. 11, 2007 | MI | Sub HB 4920 | Expanding Drunk Driving Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (92 - 16) |
| Oct. 11, 2007 | MI | Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| Oct. 11, 2007 | MI | Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| Oct. 10, 2007 | OH | Amendment | Foster Parent Confidentiality | Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| Oct. 4, 2007 | National | HR 2740 | Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (389 - 30) |
| Oct. 3, 2007 | IL | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| Sept. 27, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29) |
| 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) |
| 12/17 | HR 2764 | Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (253 - 154) |
| 12/17 | HR 2764 | Appropriations for Operations in Afghanistan | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 201) |
| 12/13 | HR 2082 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Conference Report Adopted - House (222 - 199) |
| 12/13 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
| 12/13 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
| 12/12 | HR 4299 | Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension and Modification | Bill Passed - House (303 - 116) |
| 12/11 | ASA 1 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
| 12/11 | ASA 1 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
| 12/11 | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| 12/11 | AJR 5 | State Christmas Tree | Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| 12/11 | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (84 - 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) |
| 12/10 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 12/05 | HB 4163 | Workplace Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (56 - 46) |
| 11/15 | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 189) |
| 11/15 | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 189) |
| 11/08 | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| 11/08 | PN 958 | Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40) |
| 11/01 | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
| 11/01 | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30) |
| 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 - House (83 - 25) |
| 10/31 | H Sub for Sub SB 240 | 2007-2008 Transportation Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21) |
| 10/31 | SB 232 | 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
| 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 | SB 233 | 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7) |
| 10/29 | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 14) |
| 10/29 | S Sub for Sub HB 4344 | 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 28) |
| 10/29 | SB 238 | 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 10/29 | S Sub for Sub HB 4348 | 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 45) |
| 10/25 | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - House (265 - 142) |
| 10/18 | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156) |
| 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) |
| 10/16 | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| 10/16 | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| 10/16 | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
| 10/11 | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| 10/11 | Sub HB 4920 | Expanding Drunk Driving Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (92 - 16) |
| 10/11 | Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| 10/11 | Sub HB 4749 | Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| 10/10 | Amendment | Foster Parent Confidentiality | Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| 10/04 | HR 2740 | Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (389 - 30) |
| 10/03 | SB 1463 | Silent Reflection and Student Prayer | Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| 9/27 | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29) |