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 29, 2008 MS HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 53)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
May 28, 2008 MS SB 2011 Increasing Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (87 - 33)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
May 27, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
May 27, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 21, 2008 SC H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
May 19, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
May 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
May 16, 2008 MO SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (83 - 72)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 15, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
May 15, 2008 IL HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
May 14, 2008 LA HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
May 14, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
May 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 13, 2008 AZ HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 MO SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
May 13, 2008 MO SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2458 Professional Malpractice Lawsuits Veto Override Failed - House (55 - 42)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
May 8, 2008 RI H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
May 7, 2008 KS HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49)
May 7, 2008 MO HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
May 7, 2008 NH SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10219 Mortgage Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (122 - 15)
May 7, 2008 PA HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
May 7, 2008 NY A 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
May 7, 2008 NY A 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
May 7, 2008 IL HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
May 7, 2008 MO HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (138 - 14)
May 7, 2008 IL HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
May 6, 2008 MO HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 63)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 5, 2008 MN Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
May 5, 2008 KS HB 2860 Eminent Domain and Water Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
May 5, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
May 5, 2008 CT HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
May 3, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
May 1, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
May 1, 2008 FL HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 44)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
May 1, 2008 AL HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
May 1, 2008 CO HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
April 30, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
April 30, 2008 IL HB 5278 Limiting County Clerk and Election Board Members' Endorsements Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 24, 2008 FL Amdt 28283 Commuter Trains in Orlando Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 64)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
April 23, 2008 OK SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
April 23, 2008 FL HJR 7125 State and Local Government Revenue Limitations Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
April 23, 2008 MI HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 23, 2008 CT HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (102 - 43)
April 23, 2008 FL HJR 949 Property Taxes Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
April 21, 2008 MO HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (125 - 16)
April 17, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
April 17, 2008 MO HJR 71 Sales Tax for Veterans' Services Joint Resolution Passed - House (106 - 39)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
April 16, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - House (219 - 113)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/29 HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 53)
5/28 AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/28 AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
5/28 SB 2011 Increasing Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (87 - 33)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
5/27 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
5/27 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
5/27 AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/21 H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
5/19 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
5/16 SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (83 - 72)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/15 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
5/15 HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
5/14 HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
5/14 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
5/13 SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
5/13 HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
5/12 HB 2458 Professional Malpractice Lawsuits Veto Override Failed - House (55 - 42)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
5/08 H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
5/07 HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49)
5/07 HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
5/07 SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
5/07 A 10219 Mortgage Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (122 - 15)
5/07 HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
5/07 A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
5/07 A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
5/07 A 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
5/07 A 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
5/07 HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
5/07 HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (138 - 14)
5/07 HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
5/06 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
5/06 HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 63)
5/06 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
5/05 HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
5/05 HB 2860 Eminent Domain and Water Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57)
5/05 HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
5/05 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
5/05 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
5/05 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
5/05 HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
5/03 SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
5/01 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
5/01 HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 44)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
5/01 HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
5/01 HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
4/30 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
4/30 HB 5278 Limiting County Clerk and Election Board Members' Endorsements Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/25 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/24 Amdt 28283 Commuter Trains in Orlando Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 64)
4/24 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
4/23 SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
4/23 HJR 7125 State and Local Government Revenue Limitations Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
4/23 HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
4/23 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/23 HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (102 - 43)
4/23 HJR 949 Property Taxes Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
4/21 HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (125 - 16)
4/17 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
4/17 HJR 71 Sales Tax for Veterans' Services Joint Resolution Passed - House (106 - 39)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
4/16 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - House (219 - 113)

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