Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
May 15, 2007 MT HB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
May 15, 2007 IL HB 426 Earlier Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 10)
May 15, 2007 NC SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
May 14, 2007 NC CS SB 954 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 893 Earlier Precinct Caucus Date Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 9)
May 10, 2007 RI S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 9, 2007 SC Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
May 9, 2007 WI SB 77 Financial Disclosure For Issue Based Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 8, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21)
May 7, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19)
May 4, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 23)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 96 Industrial Personal Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 94 Business and Economic Stimulus Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 95 Business Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
May 1, 2007 CO SB 199 Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 1, 2007 VT SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
April 30, 2007 KS Sub HB 2237 Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1001 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
April 27, 2007 IA HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
April 26, 2007 TN SA 3 PAC-to-PAC Contribution Limits Bill Tabled - Senate (16 - 13)
April 25, 2007 IA HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 604 Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 24, 2007 SC Amendment No. 45 Competitive Grants Program Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 9)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 596 Electronic Downloads Tax Creation and Regulation Adjustments for Cigarette Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
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 16, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 16, 2007 TN SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 12, 2007 TX CSHB 1 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 12, 2007 NH CACR 18 Adequate Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
April 11, 2007 IN HB 1510 Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 11, 2007 IN HB 1001 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
April 11, 2007 IN HB 1478 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
April 10, 2007 AK CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
April 9, 2007 WA HB 1528 Electronic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
April 6, 2007 ND HB 1051 Property Tax Relief Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
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 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 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 31, 2007 MN SF 1611 Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
March 30, 2007 ID H 336 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 29, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 29, 2007 ID S 1245 Highway Bonding Bill Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
March 29, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 28, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 28, 2007 MD SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 27, 2007 IA HF 653 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 27, 2007 KS SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 26, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
March 24, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
March 23, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 23, 2007 MN SF 1986 Transportation Taxes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24)
March 22, 2007 AR SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 22, 2007 MI SB 307 Service Providers Excise Tax Act Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
March 22, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
March 21, 2007 MD Amendment 993627/1 2008-2009 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33)
March 20, 2007 AL HJR 29 State Legislature Pay Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 20, 2007 IL SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 15, 2007 OR HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 861 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 8, 2007 MS SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
March 8, 2007 AZ SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
March 7, 2007 ID S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 7, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2007 NM SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2007 IN SB 401 Legislator Salary Adjustment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2007 KS Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2007 KS Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2007 ND SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2007 KS SB 169 Identification Requirement to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2007 VA S Sub Funding for Statewide Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2007 ND SB 2347 In-State Tuition Grants Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 14, 2007 ND SB 2032 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/15 HB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
5/15 HB 426 Earlier Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 10)
5/15 SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
5/14 CS SB 954 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/11 SF 893 Earlier Precinct Caucus Date Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 9)
5/10 S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/09 Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
5/09 SB 77 Financial Disclosure For Issue Based Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/08 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21)
5/07 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19)
5/04 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 23)
5/03 Sub for SB 96 Industrial Personal Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
5/03 Sub for SB 94 Business and Economic Stimulus Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
5/03 Sub for SB 95 Business Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
5/01 SB 199 Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/01 SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
4/30 Sub HB 2237 Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
4/29 HB 1001 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
4/29 HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
4/29 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
4/27 HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
4/26 SA 3 PAC-to-PAC Contribution Limits Bill Tabled - Senate (16 - 13)
4/25 HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/25 SF 604 Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/24 Amendment No. 45 Competitive Grants Program Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 9)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/19 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/19 SF 596 Electronic Downloads Tax Creation and Regulation Adjustments for Cigarette Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/19 SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/18 SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
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)
4/16 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/16 SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/12 CSHB 1 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/12 CACR 18 Adequate Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
4/11 HB 1510 Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/11 HB 1001 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
4/11 HB 1478 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
4/10 CSSB 4 Senior Benefits Payment Program Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 2)
4/09 HB 1528 Electronic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/09 HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
4/06 HB 1051 Property Tax Relief Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27)
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)
4/04 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 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/31 SF 1611 Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
3/30 H 336 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/29 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/29 S 1245 Highway Bonding Bill Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
3/29 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/28 HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/28 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/28 SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/27 HF 653 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/27 SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/26 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
3/24 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/23 SF 1986 Transportation Taxes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24)
3/22 SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/22 SB 307 Service Providers Excise Tax Act Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
3/22 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2)
3/21 Amendment 993627/1 2008-2009 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33)
3/20 HJR 29 State Legislature Pay Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/20 SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/15 HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/13 SB 861 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/13 SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/08 SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
3/08 SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
3/07 S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
2/27 SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
2/27 SB 401 Legislator Salary Adjustment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/22 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/22 Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/22 Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/20 SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/15 SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/15 SB 169 Identification Requirement to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
2/14 S Sub Funding for Statewide Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/14 SB 2347 In-State Tuition Grants Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
2/14 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/14 SB 2032 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)

arrow_upward