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
April 15, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 13, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
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 - Senate (21 - 14)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 9, 2008 FL SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
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 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
April 3, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
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 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 2, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 2, 2008 GA HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 1, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
April 1, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
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 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 28, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
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 26, 2008 MD SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 25, 2008 MI SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 25, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 25, 2008 ID H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 24, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 AK HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 20, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 19, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1484 Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 18, 2008 KS Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
March 18, 2008 KS Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
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 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 17, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 14, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
March 14, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 13, 2008 WA HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
March 13, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 12, 2008 FL HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
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 11, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 10, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
March 6, 2008 NH Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 FL SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 5, 2008 AK SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 4, 2008 UT HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 48 School Building Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 3, 2008 NJ S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2008 ID S 1436 Teacher Pay-for-Performance Plan Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 KY SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 NM HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/15 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/13 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/10 LB 1082 Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18)
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)
4/09 SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/07 LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
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 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
4/03 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
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 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/02 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/02 HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/01 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/01 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
4/01 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/01 HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
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)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/28 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
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)
3/26 SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/25 SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/25 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/25 H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/24 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/24 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/20 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
3/20 SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
3/20 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/20 SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
3/20 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/20 SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/19 S 1447 Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/19 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
3/19 S 1484 Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/18 Kelly Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
3/18 Hensley Amnd. Premium Assistance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27)
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)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/17 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/14 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
3/14 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
3/14 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/13 HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
3/13 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/12 HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
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)
3/11 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/10 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
3/06 Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/06 HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/05 SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/04 HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
3/04 SB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/03 SB 48 School Building Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/03 S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/29 S 1436 Teacher Pay-for-Performance Plan Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
2/27 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/27 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/26 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/26 SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/25 HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
2/21 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/19 SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
2/14 HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)

arrow_upward