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. 28, 2008 KS SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 28, 2008 UT SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS HB 2605 Changing School Finance Formula Bill Failed - House (62 - 63)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Feb. 27, 2008 KS McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 Per Student Public School Funding Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70)
Feb. 27, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2008 IN HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 National HR 5351 Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (236 - 182)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
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. 27, 2008 IN HB 1210 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
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 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
Feb. 27, 2008 WV SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
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 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2008 ID H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
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 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2008 MO HB 1406 Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2008 NE LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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 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. 21, 2008 MS SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
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. 21, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2008 CO SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
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 KS SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Feb. 19, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 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 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 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 MI HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2008 NM SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2008 KY HB 55 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2617 Mandatory Drug Testing for Drivers Causing Serious Accidents Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2008 UT SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2008 KS Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2008 National HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2008 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
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 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 TN SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
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. 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/28 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
2/28 AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/28 SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
2/28 HB 2605 Changing School Finance Formula Bill Failed - House (62 - 63)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/28 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/27 McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 Per Student Public School Funding Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70)
2/27 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/27 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/27 HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/27 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/27 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/27 HR 5351 Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (236 - 182)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
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)
2/27 HB 1210 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/27 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
2/27 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
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 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
2/27 SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
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 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/26 S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/26 H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
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 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/25 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
2/25 HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/25 HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/25 HB 1406 Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/22 LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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 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)
2/21 SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
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)
2/21 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/20 SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
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 SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
2/19 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
2/19 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/19 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
2/19 SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 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 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 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
2/14 HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
2/14 SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
2/14 HB 55 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/14 HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/14 HB 2617 Mandatory Drug Testing for Drivers Causing Serious Accidents Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
2/14 SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/13 Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
2/13 HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 45)
2/13 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
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 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
2/13 SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
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)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
2/12 HB 5322 HPV Information for Schools Bill Passed - House (90 - 17)

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