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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
March 22, 2006 NH HB 1496 Association with Labor Unions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (255 - 85)
March 27, 2007 NH HB 923 Dog Racing Prohibition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (198 - 138)
Feb. 22, 2006 SC H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
Dec. 20, 1995 National HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Veto Override Passed - House (319 - 100)
May 21, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
Sept. 30, 1992 National HR 5318 Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China Veto Override Passed - House (345 - 74)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
April 30, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
June 23, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
June 3, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
July 14, 2006 IA HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8)
June 29, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
May 21, 2008 SC H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
June 23, 2008 CT HB 5105 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 39)
June 3, 2010 OH Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
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 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
June 15, 2007 RI LCO # 1305/22 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
May 23, 1996 National H Amdt 1085 Fair Labor Standards Act Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 188)
June 9, 1994 National H Amdt 611 Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (244 - 178)
March 7, 1996 National H Amdt 947 Lobby Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (211 - 209)
Nov. 11, 2007 AK AM 1 Standard Deduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (21 - 19)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
Nov. 11, 2007 AK AM 8 Oil and Gas Production Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (26 - 14)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
June 14, 2006 LA Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
April 5, 2006 MA S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
March 27, 2008 KS Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
March 20, 2008 KS SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
June 19, 2006 RI Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
March 21, 2006 NH Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
May 7, 2008 SC Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
Dec. 6, 1995 National HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Conference Report Adopted - House (320 - 102)
March 6, 1996 National HR 927 Cuba Sanctions Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 86)
March 29, 1996 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
June 20, 2007 AZ SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 8)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 10)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 24)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
May 14, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Oct. 7, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Oct. 13, 1998 National S 1260 Securities Litigation Conference Report Adopted - House (319 - 82)
Sept. 30, 2007 MI Sub SB 418 Public Employees Health Benefit Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 53)
Sept. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 5198 Consumption Tax on Services Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 53)
July 27, 2002 National HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
Oct. 23, 2007 WI AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Nov. 14, 2007 National HR 3074 Appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 147)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 222 2007-2008 Department of Agriculture Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 4)
Oct. 7, 2004 National HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 27)
March 6, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
May 5, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
May 2, 2009 ND SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
March 5, 2008 KS SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 22, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
April 16, 2008 MS SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 14, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 17)
June 26, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
June 25, 2009 OR HB 2472 Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
May 24, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 7)
March 17, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
April 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
June 30, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
June 30, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
May 2, 2006 HI SB 1223 Overdraft Check Fee Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 12)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 29)
Jan. 22, 2007 FL CS HB 1A Hurricane Insurance Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2)
May 4, 2000 National HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - House (309 - 110)
March 28, 2006 GA CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - House (119 - 49)
Nov. 23, 1993 National S 714 Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 191)
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 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
June 11, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
2/15 HB 1704 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 128)
3/22 HB 1496 Association with Labor Unions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (255 - 85)
3/27 HB 923 Dog Racing Prohibition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (198 - 138)
2/22 H 3381 Outdoor Advertising Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 25)
12/20 HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Veto Override Passed - House (319 - 100)
5/21 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
9/30 HR 5318 Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China Veto Override Passed - House (345 - 74)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
4/30 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
6/23 SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
6/03 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
7/14 HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8)
6/29 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
5/21 H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
6/23 HB 5105 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 39)
6/03 Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
6/15 LCO # 1305/22 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 13)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
5/23 H Amdt 1085 Fair Labor Standards Act Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 188)
6/09 H Amdt 611 Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (244 - 178)
3/07 H Amdt 947 Lobby Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (211 - 209)
11/11 AM 1 Standard Deduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (21 - 19)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
11/11 AM 8 Oil and Gas Production Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (26 - 14)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
6/14 Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
4/05 S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
3/20 H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
3/27 Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
3/20 SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
6/19 Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
3/21 Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
5/07 Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
12/06 HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Conference Report Adopted - House (320 - 102)
3/06 HR 927 Cuba Sanctions Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 86)
3/29 HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158)
8/02 HR 3448 Minimum Wage Increase bill Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72)
4/29 HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
6/20 SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 8)
5/10 HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 10)
9/16 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11)
9/18 SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 24)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
5/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
10/07 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
10/13 S 1260 Securities Litigation Conference Report Adopted - House (319 - 82)
9/30 Sub SB 418 Public Employees Health Benefit Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 53)
9/30 S Sub for Sub HB 5198 Consumption Tax on Services Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 53)
7/27 HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
10/23 AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
11/14 HR 3074 Appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 147)
10/30 H Sub for Sub SB 222 2007-2008 Department of Agriculture Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 4)
10/07 HR 4520 JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
10/29 S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 27)
3/06 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
5/05 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
5/02 SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
3/05 SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/22 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
4/16 SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
4/29 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/14 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 17)
6/26 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
6/25 HB 2472 Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21)
4/29 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
5/24 Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 7)
3/17 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
4/04 H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
6/30 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
6/30 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
5/02 SB 1223 Overdraft Check Fee Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 12)
9/18 HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 29)
1/22 CS HB 1A Hurricane Insurance Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2)
5/04 HR 434 Africa Free Trade bill Conference Report Adopted - House (309 - 110)
3/28 CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - House (119 - 49)
11/23 S 714 Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 191)
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)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
6/11 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)

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