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
March 31, 2008 MN SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 456 Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 18, 2002 National S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
June 2, 2007 CT HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 16, 2008 FL SB 2860 Property Insurance Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
March 22, 2006 MI HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 24, 2007 TN SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
June 29, 2006 National S 3569 U.S. -Oman Free Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
April 23, 2007 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
May 4, 2006 IL HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
Sept. 19, 2006 National HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1198 Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 23, 2010 MD SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
May 5, 2008 CT HB 5105 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 28, 2008 CA SB 1137 Residential Property Foreclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 96 Industrial Personal Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
June 1, 2006 RI H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 1, 2008 CT SB 217 Mandatory Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
July 28, 2005 National HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 94 Business and Economic Stimulus Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
April 22, 2008 CO SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 24, 2008 MO SB 817 Physicians' Billing Practices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 3, 2007 MI Sub for SB 95 Business Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
April 21, 2008 AZ HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 30, 2008 LA SB 160 Homeowners' Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 30, 1993 National HR 1876 GATT Uruguay Round Bill Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 16)
Jan. 6, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
May 6, 2008 CT HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
Sept. 8, 2011 National HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 9)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
May 15, 2008 MI SB 860 Great Lakes Water Management Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 6, 2007 CA SB 840 California Universal Healthcare Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 10, 2008 OK SB 2118 Requiring Health Insurance to Cover Autism Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
May 15, 2008 CA SB 1713 Bisphenol A (BPA) Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 20, 2007 MI Sub for SB 448 State Registration for CAFOs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1499 Foil Balloon Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 20, 2007 MI Sub for SB 447 Insurance for Water Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 4, 2008 NY S 6823 Long Island Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 9)
June 11, 2008 DE SB 263 Greenhouse Gas Caps Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Dec. 1, 1994 National HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 24)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 48 Health Care Coverage and Cost Control Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
July 31, 2003 National HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 18, 2008 DE SB 280 Minimum Wage Increase for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 26, 2007 WI SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
June 25, 2008 VA SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Sept. 19, 2000 National HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
May 29, 2007 LA SB 223 Required Liability Insurance Increase Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 24, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
July 31, 2003 National HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
June 6, 2007 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 6, 2007 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 14, 2007 DE SB 36 State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
June 26, 2007 MI Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Aug. 1, 2008 AK HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Oct. 19, 1995 National HR 927 Cuba Sanctions Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
May 21, 2007 CA SB 180 Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 8, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 27, 2008 CA SB 1440 Capping Administrative Spending for Health Insurers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 14, 2006 AL SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 12, 2008 CA SB 1313 Perfluorochemical (PFC) Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 31, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Aug. 24, 2007 KY HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Nov. 20, 1993 National HR 3450 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
Aug. 29, 2007 MO SCS HCS HB 1 Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Sept. 19, 2008 CA SBx1 28 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 24, 2008 NY S 8638 Internet Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
Sept. 4, 2007 MI Sub SB 418 Public Employees Health Benefit Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 24, 2008 NJ A 3294 Capital Investment and Employment Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2007 VA SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Dec. 4, 2007 National HR 3688 United States-Peru Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2007 CO HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2009 MI SB 93 Prohibiting Mandatory Workplace Ergonomics Rules Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Nov. 7, 2007 MI Sub SB 838 Amending the Use Tax Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Oct. 29, 2007 HI SB 1 Superferry Environmental Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
Feb. 10, 2009 WI SB 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 6, 2009 WY SF 18 Expanding Workers Compensation Coverage to Include Mental Injury Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/31 SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
6/07 SB 456 Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/18 S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
4/03 SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
6/02 HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/16 SB 2860 Property Insurance Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
3/22 HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/24 SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
6/29 S 3569 U.S. -Oman Free Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
4/23 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
5/04 HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
9/19 HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32)
4/22 SB 1198 Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/23 SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
5/05 HB 5105 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/28 SB 1137 Residential Property Foreclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/03 Sub for SB 96 Industrial Personal Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
6/01 H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/01 SB 217 Mandatory Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
7/28 HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
5/03 Sub for SB 94 Business and Economic Stimulus Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
4/22 SB 217 Extended Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/24 SB 817 Physicians' Billing Practices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/03 Sub for SB 95 Business Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
4/21 HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/30 SB 160 Homeowners' Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/30 HR 1876 GATT Uruguay Round Bill Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 16)
1/06 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
5/06 HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
9/08 HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 9)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
5/15 SB 860 Great Lakes Water Management Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/06 SB 840 California Universal Healthcare Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/10 SB 2118 Requiring Health Insurance to Cover Autism Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
5/15 SB 1713 Bisphenol A (BPA) Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/20 Sub for SB 448 State Registration for CAFOs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/29 SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/29 SB 1499 Foil Balloon Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/20 Sub for SB 447 Insurance for Water Pollution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/04 S 6823 Long Island Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 9)
6/11 SB 263 Greenhouse Gas Caps Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
12/01 HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 24)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/07 SB 48 Health Care Coverage and Cost Control Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/16 SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
7/31 HR 2738 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
6/16 SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/16 SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/18 SB 280 Minimum Wage Increase for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/26 SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
6/25 SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
9/19 HR 4444 U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15)
5/29 SB 223 Required Liability Insurance Increase Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/24 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
7/17 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
7/31 HR 2739 U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
6/06 SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/06 SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/14 SB 36 State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
6/26 Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
8/01 HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
10/19 HR 927 Cuba Sanctions Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
3/24 HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
5/21 SB 180 Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/08 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/27 SB 1440 Capping Administrative Spending for Health Insurers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/14 SB 352 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/12 SB 1313 Perfluorochemical (PFC) Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/31 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
8/24 HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/29 AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
11/20 HR 3450 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
8/29 SCS HCS HB 1 Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
9/19 SBx1 28 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/24 S 8638 Internet Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
9/04 Sub SB 418 Public Employees Health Benefit Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/24 A 3294 Capital Investment and Employment Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
1/26 SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
2/14 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
12/04 HR 3688 United States-Peru Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 18)
2/05 HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/05 SB 93 Prohibiting Mandatory Workplace Ergonomics Rules Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/05 Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
11/07 Sub SB 838 Amending the Use Tax Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
10/29 SB 1 Superferry Environmental Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
2/10 SB 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/03 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/09 SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/06 SF 18 Expanding Workers Compensation Coverage to Include Mental Injury Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/05 SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)

arrow_upward