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
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2206 Radar Speed Detection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2008 MO HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2149 Election of School Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2008 GA SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amdt 1 to SJR 1 Adjusting the Constitutional Property Tax Cap Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 50)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
Feb. 26, 2008 ID H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2008 MS HB 729 Parole Eligibility for Non-Violent Offenders Bill Passed - House (69 - 52)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2008 MD SB 243 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2008 NE LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 21, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
Feb. 21, 2008 OR HB 3603 Mortgage Reform Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 21, 2008 WY HB 46 Animal Abuse and Cruelty Bill Passed - House (56 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 21, 2008 MD SB 111 Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2008 CO SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2008 MI HB 4092 DNA Testing for Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (104 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA HB 2713 Convicted Criminal DNA Database Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
Feb. 18, 2008 UT HB 295 Policies for Electronic Devices at School Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
Feb. 18, 2008 CO HB 1186 Amending Public School Performance Ratings Bill Passed - House (53 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2008 OR HB 3618 Inheritance Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (41 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2008 MI HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2008 TN SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 TN SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 TN SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2008 UT HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
Feb. 12, 2008 UT HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2008 MI SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2008 NM HB 37 Electronic Medical Records Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 23)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM HB 180 Healthy Food Initiatives Board Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM HB 180 Healthy Food Initiatives Board Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2008 OR SB 1080 Driver's License Residency Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2008 UT HB 239 Driver's License Requirements Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 62 Health Care Authority Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 8, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2008 National HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (380 - 34)
Feb. 7, 2008 National HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2008 KY SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2008 NM HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6452 Yield Spread Premium Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/27 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/27 SB 2206 Radar Speed Detection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/27 HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/27 SB 2149 Election of School Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/27 SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
2/27 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
2/27 SB 2998 Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
2/26 A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
2/26 Amdt 1 to SJR 1 Adjusting the Constitutional Property Tax Cap Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 50)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
2/26 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
2/26 H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/26 AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/26 HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/25 HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/25 HB 729 Parole Eligibility for Non-Violent Offenders Bill Passed - House (69 - 52)
2/25 HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/25 HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/22 SB 243 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
2/22 LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/21 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/21 HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
2/21 HB 3603 Mortgage Reform Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/21 HB 46 Animal Abuse and Cruelty Bill Passed - House (56 - 2)
2/21 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/21 SB 111 Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
2/21 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/21 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
2/21 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/20 SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/19 S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
2/19 S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
2/19 HB 4092 DNA Testing for Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (104 - 4)
2/19 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/19 SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/18 HB 2713 Convicted Criminal DNA Database Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/18 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
2/18 HB 295 Policies for Electronic Devices at School Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
2/18 HB 1186 Amending Public School Performance Ratings Bill Passed - House (53 - 11)
2/15 HB 3618 Inheritance Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (41 - 18)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
2/14 HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/14 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/13 SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
2/13 SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
2/13 SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
2/12 HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
2/12 HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)
2/12 HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
2/12 HB 241 Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
2/12 SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
2/12 SB 415 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (94 - 12)
2/12 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
2/12 HB 37 Electronic Medical Records Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 23)
2/11 HB 180 Healthy Food Initiatives Board Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/11 HB 180 Healthy Food Initiatives Board Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/11 SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/11 SB 1080 Driver's License Residency Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/11 HB 239 Driver's License Requirements Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
2/10 HB 62 Health Care Authority Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
2/10 HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/08 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
2/07 HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (380 - 34)
2/07 HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
2/07 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
2/07 SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
2/07 SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/07 HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/07 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
2/06 SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
2/06 SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
2/06 SB 6452 Yield Spread Premium Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)

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