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
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 1, 2008 CT SB 217 Mandatory Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
April 30, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 28, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
April 28, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
April 23, 2008 National HR 2831 Equal Pay Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
April 22, 2008 CO SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 LA SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
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 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 10, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
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 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 1, 2008 NE AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 28, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 27, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 26, 2008 KS Barnett Amnd. Immigration Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
March 26, 2008 KS Barnett Amnd. Immigration Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 2 Repealing In-State Tuition for Immigrants Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 25)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
March 26, 2008 KS Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
March 26, 2008 KS Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
March 26, 2008 KS Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
March 25, 2008 NE LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
March 25, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 24, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 20, 2008 NH SA 1051 to SB 527 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 15)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 527 Mandatory Abortion Counseling for Minors Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 14)
March 19, 2008 CO HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
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 18, 2008 KS Hensley 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 KS Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
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 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 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
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 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 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 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 10, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 7, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
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 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
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 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 5, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/01 SB 217 Mandatory Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
4/30 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/28 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
4/28 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
4/23 HR 2831 Equal Pay Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/22 SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
4/22 SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
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 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/10 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/04 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
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)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/01 AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/28 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/27 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/26 Barnett Amnd. Immigration Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
3/26 Barnett Amnd. Immigration Reform Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 2 Repealing In-State Tuition for Immigrants Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 25)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
3/26 Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
3/26 Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
3/26 Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
3/25 LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
3/25 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/24 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/24 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/20 SA 1051 to SB 527 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 15)
3/20 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/20 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/20 SB 527 Mandatory Abortion Counseling for Minors Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 14)
3/19 HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
3/19 SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
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)
3/18 Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/18 Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
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 S Amdt 4309 Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40)
3/13 S Amdt 4347 Earmark Moratorium Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
3/13 S Amdt 4231 Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37)
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)
3/12 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 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 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)
3/10 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/07 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
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 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
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 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/05 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)

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