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
June 5, 2008 CA SB 153 Property Transfer Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
June 5, 2008 MI SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 47)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
May 31, 2008 AL SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
May 29, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 3)
May 29, 2008 MS HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 53)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 1830 Subprime Lending Regulations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 2572 Nutritional Disclosure Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 15)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 28, 2008 MI HB 5074 Ban Smoking in Places of Employment and Public Places with Exceptions for Casinos, Cigar Bars, and Specialty Tobacco Stores Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2716 Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2368 CalWORKs Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 33)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
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 (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 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 Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
May 27, 2008 MI Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 27, 2008 MI Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 27, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
May 27, 2008 MI HB 6048 Emergency Contraception for Victims of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 21, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
May 21, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
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 21, 2008 National HR 6049 Alternative Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - House (263 - 160)
May 19, 2008 CA AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
May 19, 2008 LA HB 1312 Drivers Insurance Increase Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (256 - 166)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196)
May 15, 2008 DE HB 190 Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
May 15, 2008 IL HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
May 14, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
May 14, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
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 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
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 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
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 LA HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154)
May 8, 2008 National H Amdt 1045 Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 8, 2008 National HR 5818 Assistance to States for Purchasing Foreclosed Homes Bill Passed - House (239 - 188)
May 7, 2008 KS SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 22)
May 7, 2008 KS HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
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 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
May 7, 2008 NH SB 312 Insurance Coverage for Obesity Treatments Bill Passed - House (209 - 139)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
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 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
May 6, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
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 5, 2008 MN Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
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 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 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1385 Health Insurance Website Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 17)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
May 5, 2008 CT HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
May 5, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
May 3, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
May 2, 2008 CO SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
May 2, 2008 CO SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
May 1, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
May 1, 2008 AL HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
May 1, 2008 CA AB 1943 Passenger Rights on Commercial Airlines Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
May 1, 2008 CO HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 29, 2008 LA HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
April 29, 2008 National S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 28, 2008 FL SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/05 SB 153 Property Transfer Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
6/05 SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 47)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
5/31 SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
5/29 H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
5/29 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 3)
5/29 HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 53)
5/29 AB 1830 Subprime Lending Regulations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
5/29 AB 2572 Nutritional Disclosure Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 15)
5/28 AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/28 HB 5074 Ban Smoking in Places of Employment and Public Places with Exceptions for Casinos, Cigar Bars, and Specialty Tobacco Stores Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
5/28 AB 2716 Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
5/28 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
5/28 AB 2368 CalWORKs Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 33)
5/28 AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
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 (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)
5/28 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 Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
5/27 Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/27 Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/27 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
5/27 HB 6048 Emergency Contraception for Victims of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/21 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
5/21 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
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)
5/21 HR 6049 Alternative Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - House (263 - 160)
5/19 AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
5/19 HB 1312 Drivers Insurance Increase Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (256 - 166)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196)
5/15 HB 190 Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
5/15 HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
5/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
5/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
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)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
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 HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/12 HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154)
5/08 H Amdt 1045 Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/08 HR 5818 Assistance to States for Purchasing Foreclosed Homes Bill Passed - House (239 - 188)
5/07 SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 22)
5/07 HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
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 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
5/07 SB 312 Insurance Coverage for Obesity Treatments Bill Passed - House (209 - 139)
5/07 A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
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 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
5/06 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
5/06 HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 63)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
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 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 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
5/05 HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
5/05 HB 1385 Health Insurance Website Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 17)
5/05 SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
5/05 HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
5/05 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
5/03 SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
5/02 SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
5/02 SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (44 - 22)
5/01 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
5/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
5/01 HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
5/01 AB 1943 Passenger Rights on Commercial Airlines Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
5/01 HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
4/29 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/29 HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
4/29 S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/28 SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)

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