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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
June 12, 2009 | OR | SB 284 | Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
April 9, 2003 | National | HR 1036 | Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act | Bill Passed - House (285 - 140) |
May 3, 2006 | RI | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
June 19, 2007 | RI | H 5127 | Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal | Bill Passed - House (54 - 6) |
May 24, 2007 | NC | HB 878 | Eminent Domain for Private Use | Bill Passed - House (104 - 15) |
May 9, 2006 | RI | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
Sept. 26, 2006 | National | HR 2679 | Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (244 - 173) |
May 15, 2007 | NC | SB 1006 | Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
Sept. 27, 2006 | National | HR 6166 | Military Commissions Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (253 - 168) |
Oct. 4, 2007 | National | HR 2740 | Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (389 - 30) |
Oct. 16, 2007 | National | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
Feb. 16, 2000 | National | HR 2366 | Small Business Liability Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (221 - 193) |
March 21, 2005 | National | S 686 | Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (203 - 58) |
Dec. 10, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
Dec. 13, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | SB 176 | Compensation for Discharged Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
Jan. 15, 2008 | WI | SJR 5 | Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1) |
Dec. 11, 2007 | WI | SJR 5 | Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
Jan. 26, 2006 | RI | H 6700 Sub A | Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - House (41 - 32) |
Jan. 31, 2008 | SC | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
March 20, 2008 | GA | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - House (99 - 68) |
Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
Feb. 7, 2008 | GA | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13) |
Jan. 25, 2008 | MS | SB 2188 | Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
Feb. 11, 2008 | SD | SB 189 | Accessibility of Public Records | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 20) |
Feb. 20, 2008 | GA | HR 1206 | Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border | Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26) |
March 16, 2006 | FL | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - House (93 - 27) |
Feb. 12, 2008 | GA | SR 822 | Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border | Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0) |
March 20, 1997 | National | HR 1122 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill | Bill Passed - House (295 - 136) |
April 20, 2007 | VT | SR 16 | Urging National Executive Impeachment | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9) |
Feb. 7, 2007 | IN | HB 1262 | BMV Commission Elimination | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
March 28, 2007 | IA | SF 430 | Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
April 27, 2007 | FL | CS CS HB 1231 | Prostitution Act | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
Feb. 27, 2007 | MD | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
March 19, 2007 | ID | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
Feb. 26, 2007 | AZ | SB 1302 | Use of Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
March 7, 2006 | National | S 2271 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill | Bill Passed - House (280 - 138) |
March 7, 2007 | ID | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 15, 2007 | KS | HB 2530 | Physician Liability Exemption | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
May 1, 2007 | TX | CSSB 966 | Journalist Confidentiality Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
Oct. 27, 2005 | National | HR 420 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 184) |
Sept. 14, 2004 | National | HR 4571 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 174) |
June 20, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (398 - 19) |
June 17, 1999 | National | HR 1501 | Juvenile Justice bill | Bill Passed - House (287 - 139) |
Sept. 21, 2006 | National | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
May 14, 2007 | NY | S 319 | Death Penalty For Certain Murders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
April 27, 2007 | IL | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - House (63 - 52) |
May 17, 2007 | IL | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
Sept. 21, 2006 | National | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
June 7, 2007 | IL | HR 25 | State Constitutional Convention Awareness | Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47) |
Oct. 19, 2005 | National | HR 554 | Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (306 - 120) |
Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4045 | Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (60 - 49) |
Nov. 13, 1997 | National | H Res 301 | Broadcast of Committee Witness bill | Resolution Passed - House (241 - 165) |
Feb. 11, 2009 | OK | HB 1601 | Regulating Attorney Election Contributions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 36) |
March 13, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
April 17, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Comprehensive tort reform-Provide | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
April 22, 2004 | National | S 2329 | Victims' Rights Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | MS | HB 199 | Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
March 1, 2012 | FL | HB 1209 | Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (92 - 24) |
Jan. 25, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
Sept. 23, 2004 | National | HR 2028 | Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (247 - 173) |
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) |
Dec. 10, 2008 | OH | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
Feb. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
Feb. 24, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
March 16, 2006 | AZ | SB 1430 | Children, Child Protective Services | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
3/29 | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
6/12 | SB 284 | Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
4/09 | HR 1036 | Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act | Bill Passed - House (285 - 140) |
5/03 | S 2486 | Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
6/19 | H 5127 | Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal | Bill Passed - House (54 - 6) |
5/24 | HB 878 | Eminent Domain for Private Use | Bill Passed - House (104 - 15) |
5/09 | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
9/26 | HR 2679 | Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (244 - 173) |
5/15 | SB 1006 | Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
9/27 | HR 6166 | Military Commissions Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (253 - 168) |
10/04 | HR 2740 | Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (389 - 30) |
10/16 | HR 2102 | Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (398 - 21) |
2/16 | HR 2366 | Small Business Liability Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (221 - 193) |
3/21 | S 686 | Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (203 - 58) |
12/10 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
12/13 | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
12/11 | SB 176 | Compensation for Discharged Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
1/15 | SJR 5 | Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1) |
12/11 | SJR 5 | Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
1/07 | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
1/26 | H 6700 Sub A | Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
1/07 | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - House (41 - 32) |
1/31 | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
3/20 | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - House (99 - 68) |
1/09 | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
2/07 | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13) |
1/25 | SB 2188 | Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
2/11 | SB 189 | Accessibility of Public Records | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
2/06 | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 20) |
2/20 | HR 1206 | Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border | Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26) |
3/16 | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - House (93 - 27) |
2/12 | SR 822 | Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border | Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0) |
3/20 | HR 1122 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill | Bill Passed - House (295 - 136) |
4/20 | SR 16 | Urging National Executive Impeachment | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9) |
2/07 | HB 1262 | BMV Commission Elimination | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
3/28 | SF 430 | Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
4/27 | CS CS HB 1231 | Prostitution Act | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
2/27 | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
3/19 | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
2/26 | SB 1302 | Use of Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
3/07 | S 2271 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill | Bill Passed - House (280 - 138) |
3/07 | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
3/15 | HB 2530 | Physician Liability Exemption | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
3/26 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
5/01 | CSSB 966 | Journalist Confidentiality Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
10/27 | HR 420 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 184) |
9/14 | HR 4571 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 174) |
6/20 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (398 - 19) |
6/17 | HR 1501 | Juvenile Justice bill | Bill Passed - House (287 - 139) |
9/21 | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
5/14 | S 319 | Death Penalty For Certain Murders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
4/27 | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - House (63 - 52) |
5/17 | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
9/21 | HR 6095 | Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (277 - 140) |
6/07 | HR 25 | State Constitutional Convention Awareness | Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47) |
10/19 | HR 554 | Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (306 - 120) |
2/22 | HB 4045 | Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (60 - 49) |
11/13 | H Res 301 | Broadcast of Committee Witness bill | Resolution Passed - House (241 - 165) |
2/11 | HB 1601 | Regulating Attorney Election Contributions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 36) |
3/13 | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
4/17 | SB 507 | Comprehensive tort reform-Provide | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
4/22 | S 2329 | Victims' Rights Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
2/09 | HB 199 | Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
3/01 | HB 1209 | Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (92 - 24) |
1/25 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
9/23 | HR 2028 | Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (247 - 173) |
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) |
12/10 | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
5/15 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
2/04 | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
2/24 | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
3/16 | SB 1430 | Children, Child Protective Services | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |