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
March 25, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
March 24, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 71)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 6, 2008 MO SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Feb. 13, 2008 TN SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 13, 2008 NJ A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
March 27, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 25, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
Aug. 21, 2006 CA SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
March 19, 2008 KS SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
April 6, 2008 AK HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2006 CO SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 4, 2006 NH HB 1331 TANF Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
May 13, 2008 PA SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 2, 2007 VA Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
May 10, 2006 SC H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
Jan. 25, 2007 SC H 3063 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (92 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
Feb. 3, 1993 National HR 1 Family & Medical Leave Bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 163)
May 6, 2008 LA SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 2, 2000 National S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 12, 2007 IN SB 327 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
March 29, 2006 CO HB 1249 Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2007 IN SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
June 23, 2008 NJ S 1557 FamilyCare Expansion bill Bill Passed - House (59 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2007 VA H Sub Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - House (89 - 9)
March 8, 2006 KY HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
Feb. 2, 2007 WY HB 95 Quality Childcare Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
Feb. 8, 2007 WY HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Aug. 19, 2008 NM HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
May 4, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Aug. 16, 2008 NM HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 13, 1997 National HR 581 Population Planning Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 194)
Aug. 18, 2008 NM SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 21, 2008 NE LB 1 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
April 20, 2006 CT Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 4405 Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 4404 Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (59 - 47)
April 12, 2006 DE SB 251 Full-Day Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
Jan. 14, 2009 National HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
March 31, 2006 CO HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 29, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
March 14, 2007 CO HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
April 20, 2006 OR SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - House (57 - 3)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Feb. 3, 2009 MT HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
March 6, 2007 WA 2nd Sub SB 5093 Affordable Health Care Coverage for Children Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
Jan. 29, 2009 WY HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
May 20, 2004 National HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 28, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
March 11, 2009 NH SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
April 18, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 13, 2006 CO HB 1126 Child Product Safety Requirements Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 21, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 4, 2009 MI HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 4, 2009 WA HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 6, 2007 TX HB 8 Punishment of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (119 - 25)
March 7, 2007 NH HB 184 Abortion Parental Notification Bill Passed - House (226 - 130)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 1, 2007 CO HB 1301 Cervical Cancer Immunization Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 25, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
Jan. 25, 2006 GA SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 15, 2007 NH SB 18 Raising the Compulsory School Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
March 14, 2007 TX CSHB 1098 Ban on HPV Vaccine Requirement Bill Passed - House (118 - 23)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/25 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/16 AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
3/24 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/27 Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 71)
5/30 SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/06 SB 778 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
2/07 HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
3/24 HB 1056 Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/12 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
2/13 SB 3419 Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
5/31 AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/13 A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
3/27 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/25 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
8/21 SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
3/19 HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
3/19 SB 541 Expanding Children's Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
4/06 HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
2/20 SB 66 Employee Leave for Academic Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/04 HB 1331 TANF Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
5/13 SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
4/11 HB 2666 Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/02 Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
5/10 H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
1/25 H 3063 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (92 - 7)
2/09 HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
2/03 HR 1 Family & Medical Leave Bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 163)
5/06 SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/02 S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/12 SB 327 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
3/29 HB 1249 Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/05 Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
2/12 SJR 7 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/28 HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
6/23 S 1557 FamilyCare Expansion bill Bill Passed - House (59 - 18)
2/21 H Sub Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - House (89 - 9)
3/08 HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
2/02 HB 95 Quality Childcare Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
2/08 HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
8/19 HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
5/04 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
8/16 HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/13 HR 581 Population Planning Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 194)
8/18 SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/21 LB 1 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
4/20 Sub SB 373 Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
12/04 HB 4405 Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
12/04 HB 4404 Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (59 - 47)
4/12 SB 251 Full-Day Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
1/14 HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
3/31 HB 1212 Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/29 Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
3/14 HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
4/20 SB 5644 Social Services and Education Funding Bill Passed - House (57 - 3)
2/09 HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
2/03 HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
3/06 2nd Sub SB 5093 Affordable Health Care Coverage for Children Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
1/29 HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
5/20 HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
3/07 SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/28 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
3/11 SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
4/18 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/13 HB 1126 Child Product Safety Requirements Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/21 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 219 Ban on Smoking in a Vehicle with a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/09 SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/04 HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/04 HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/06 HB 8 Punishment of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (119 - 25)
3/07 HB 184 Abortion Parental Notification Bill Passed - House (226 - 130)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/01 HB 1301 Cervical Cancer Immunization Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/25 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
1/25 SB 382 Child Support Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/15 SB 18 Raising the Compulsory School Age Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
2/20 HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
3/14 CSHB 1098 Ban on HPV Vaccine Requirement Bill Passed - House (118 - 23)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)

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