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 23, 2008 FL SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
April 23, 2008 FL SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1385 Health Insurance Website Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
April 23, 2008 National HR 5613 Medicaid Extensions and Changes Bill Passed - House (349 - 62)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
April 22, 2008 CO SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 21, 2008 AZ HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 21, 2008 MO HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
April 17, 2008 IL SB 2858 Public School Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
April 17, 2008 IL SB 2858 Public School Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
April 17, 2008 IL SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
April 17, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 16, 2008 MO HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (85 - 63)
April 16, 2008 IA HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
April 15, 2008 MS SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
April 15, 2008 MS SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 18)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64)
April 15, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 15, 2008 LA SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 10, 2008 SC H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
April 10, 2008 NE LB 1082 Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 10, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12)
April 10, 2008 MN HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
April 10, 2008 MN HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
April 7, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
April 7, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
April 4, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 4, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
April 2, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 552 Mortgage Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 7)
April 2, 2008 AZ HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 2, 2008 National HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
April 2, 2008 GA HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 1, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
April 1, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
April 1, 2008 GA HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7)
April 1, 2008 ID SJR 107 City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing Bill Failed - House (36 - 33)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
April 1, 2008 KY HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
April 1, 2008 IL HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
April 1, 2008 IL SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
April 1, 2008 MO HJR 43 Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 31, 2008 MN SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 28, 2008 GA HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
March 28, 2008 NE LB 959 2007-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
March 27, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
4/23 SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
4/23 HB 1385 Health Insurance Website Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
4/23 HR 5613 Medicaid Extensions and Changes Bill Passed - House (349 - 62)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/22 SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
4/22 HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
4/22 SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/21 HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/21 HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
4/17 SB 2858 Public School Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
4/17 SB 2858 Public School Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
4/17 SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
4/17 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/16 HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (85 - 63)
4/16 HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
4/15 SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
4/15 SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 18)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64)
4/15 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
4/15 LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/15 SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/10 H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
4/10 LB 1082 Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/10 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12)
4/10 HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
4/10 HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
4/07 LD 1932 School Consolidation Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
4/07 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/07 LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/04 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
4/04 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/04 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/04 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
4/02 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
4/02 HB 552 Mortgage Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 7)
4/02 HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/02 HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
4/02 HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/01 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
4/01 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
4/01 HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7)
4/01 SJR 107 City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing Bill Failed - House (36 - 33)
4/01 HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
4/01 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
4/01 HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
4/01 HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
4/01 HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
4/01 SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
4/01 HJR 43 Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/31 SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/28 HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
3/28 LB 959 2007-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
3/27 Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)

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