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
March 20, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 19, 2008 GA Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
March 19, 2008 MS SB 2264 Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
March 19, 2008 GA SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 19, 2008 CO HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
March 18, 2008 KS Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 KS Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
March 18, 2008 MS SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (71 - 48)
March 18, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 18, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1436 Automatic Continuation Clause in Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (180 - 126)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
March 18, 2008 ID S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 17, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 17, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1495 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (190 - 128)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1517 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 109)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1588 Residency Verification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 106)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1498 Parental Notification for Underage Medical Procedures "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 111)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4309 Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
March 13, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 13, 2008 NJ A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 12, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 12, 2008 OK HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
March 12, 2008 OK HB 2196 Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 11, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 11, 2008 KY HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
March 11, 2008 National H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
March 10, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 10, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 7, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 7, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
March 6, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
March 6, 2008 VA SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
March 6, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 6, 2008 FL SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 6, 2008 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 6, 2008 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 6, 2008 MS HB 1601 Medicaid Appropriations Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
March 6, 2008 ID H 588 Food Tax Credit Expansion Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
March 5, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
March 5, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
March 5, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
March 5, 2008 SC H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
March 5, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 5, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 5, 2008 MS SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
March 5, 2008 MS SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
March 5, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
March 4, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
March 4, 2008 WI SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
March 3, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 3, 2008 NJ S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/20 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/19 Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
3/19 SB 2264 Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
3/19 SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 SB 409 Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
3/19 SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/19 HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/19 HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
3/18 Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/18 SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (71 - 48)
3/18 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/18 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/18 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/18 HB 1436 Automatic Continuation Clause in Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (180 - 126)
3/18 HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
3/18 HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
3/18 HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
3/18 S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/17 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/17 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/14 SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
3/13 HB 1495 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (190 - 128)
3/13 HB 1517 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 109)
3/13 HB 1588 Residency Verification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 106)
3/13 HB 1498 Parental Notification for Underage Medical Procedures "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 111)
3/13 S Amdt 4309 Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40)
3/13 S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
3/13 S Amdt 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
3/13 S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
3/13 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/13 A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/12 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/12 HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
3/12 HB 2196 Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/12 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/11 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/11 AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/11 HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
3/11 H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
3/10 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/10 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/07 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/07 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
3/06 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
3/06 SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
3/06 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/06 SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/06 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/06 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/06 HB 1601 Medicaid Appropriations Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
3/06 H 588 Food Tax Credit Expansion Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
3/05 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
3/05 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
3/05 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
3/05 H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
3/05 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/05 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/05 SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
3/05 SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
3/05 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/04 HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
3/04 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
3/04 SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/04 HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
3/03 Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/03 S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)

arrow_upward