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
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Jan. 11, 2007 National HR 3 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (253 - 174)
July 19, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
July 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Feb. 2, 2007 VA Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Oct. 7, 1999 National HR 2723 Patient Protection bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 151)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
Oct. 6, 1999 National HR 2990 Patients' Bill of Rights bill Bill Passed - House (227 - 205)
March 24, 2004 National HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
Aug. 3, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 29, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
Sept. 8, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
Aug. 6, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152)
Aug. 3, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
July 28, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 152)
July 14, 2003 National HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
Jan. 22, 2004 National HR 2673 Consolidated Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
May 31, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (70 - 44)
March 1, 2007 IL HB 138 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Feb. 1, 2007 WY HB 144 Abortion Information Requirement Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
Feb. 12, 2007 IN SB 327 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 14, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Feb. 8, 2007 ND SB 2164 Public Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
May 24, 2005 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - House (238 - 194)
July 18, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
Feb. 21, 2007 VA H Sub Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - House (89 - 9)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2356 Hurricane Health Care for Survivors Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2348 Medicaid Generic Drug Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2371 Medicare Prescription Drug Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2357 Medicare Premiums Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
June 27, 2003 National HR 1 Medicare Prescription Drug bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 215)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2409 Targeted Case Management Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2365 Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 22, 2007 NH SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2007 CO HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
Nov. 17, 2005 National S Amdt 2601 Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 47)
Sept. 13, 2005 National S J Res 20 EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
Feb. 1, 2007 MN HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - House (97 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2007 CO HB 1292 Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
Feb. 8, 2007 WY HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Feb. 8, 2007 WY HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
May 20, 2003 National HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
April 5, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2007 IN HB 1337 Smoking in a Vehicle With Children Bill Failed - House (43 - 51)
April 4, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 7, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 13, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
Feb. 27, 2007 WY SF 152 Methamphetamine Lab Decontamination Bill Failed - House (30 - 30)
March 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
June 19, 2003 National HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
March 8, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
March 8, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
Feb. 7, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
Feb. 7, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
March 6, 2007 WA 2nd Sub SB 5093 Affordable Health Care Coverage for Children Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
March 6, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2007 MT SB 500 CHIP Contraception Coverage Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
March 13, 2007 OR SB 426 School Districts Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2007 KY SB 152 State Employee Health Coverage Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 1220 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
Jan. 23, 2007 NM SB 418 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
June 7, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (247 - 176)
April 11, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
May 17, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
May 17, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
May 17, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209)
May 17, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209)
March 23, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 23, 2007 National S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 29, 2007 IL HB 1769 Smoking Ban in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (18 - 91)
March 8, 2007 HI SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
Aug. 7, 1998 National H Amdt 869 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (250 - 169)
Feb. 21, 2007 IN HB 1197 Confined Feeding Operation Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 1, 1995 National H Amdt 890 Domestic Partners Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 172)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (392 - 30)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
1/11 HR 3 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (253 - 174)
7/19 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
7/25 S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
2/02 Sub SB 905 Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
10/07 HR 2723 Patient Protection bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 151)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
10/06 HR 2990 Patients' Bill of Rights bill Bill Passed - House (227 - 205)
3/24 HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
8/03 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/29 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
9/08 HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
8/06 HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152)
8/03 HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
7/28 HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 152)
7/14 HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
1/22 HR 2673 Consolidated Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 28)
2/22 HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
2/23 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
5/31 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (70 - 44)
3/01 HB 138 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
2/01 HB 144 Abortion Information Requirement Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
2/12 SB 327 HPV Immunization Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
2/22 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/14 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/05 Sub HB 2035 HPV Vaccination Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
2/08 SB 2164 Public Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30)
2/05 SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
5/24 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - House (238 - 194)
7/18 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
2/21 H Sub Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children Bill Passed - House (89 - 9)
11/03 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
11/03 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
11/03 S Amdt 2356 Hurricane Health Care for Survivors Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2348 Medicaid Generic Drug Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
11/03 S Amdt 2371 Medicare Prescription Drug Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
11/03 S Amdt 2357 Medicare Premiums Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
6/27 HR 1 Medicare Prescription Drug bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 215)
11/03 S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2409 Targeted Case Management Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
11/03 S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2365 Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45)
2/22 SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
2/26 HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
11/17 S Amdt 2601 Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 47)
9/13 S J Res 20 EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
2/22 HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
2/01 HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - House (97 - 35)
2/28 HB 1292 Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
2/08 HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
2/08 HB 68 Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
5/20 HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
4/05 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
2/26 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
2/21 HB 1337 Smoking in a Vehicle With Children Bill Failed - House (43 - 51)
4/04 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
2/20 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/13 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
2/27 SF 152 Methamphetamine Lab Decontamination Bill Failed - House (30 - 30)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
6/19 HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
2/28 Com Sub SB 544 Parental Notification of Juvenile Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
3/08 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
3/08 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Failed - House (33 - 36)
2/07 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
2/07 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
3/06 2nd Sub SB 5093 Affordable Health Care Coverage for Children Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/23 SB 9 Illinois Climate Change Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
2/20 SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/07 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
3/06 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
2/28 SB 500 CHIP Contraception Coverage Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
3/13 SB 426 School Districts Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
2/15 SB 152 State Employee Health Coverage Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/24 HB 1220 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
1/23 SB 418 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
6/07 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (247 - 176)
4/11 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
5/17 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
5/17 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
5/17 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209)
5/17 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209)
3/23 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/23 S Con Res 21 2008 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/29 HB 1769 Smoking Ban in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (18 - 91)
3/08 SB 1276 Environmental Impact of Harbor Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
8/07 H Amdt 869 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (250 - 169)
2/21 HB 1197 Confined Feeding Operation Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/01 H Amdt 890 Domestic Partners Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 172)

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