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
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
March 20, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
March 12, 2009 GA SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
Feb. 26, 2009 National HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
June 12, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
June 11, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
June 11, 2008 LA SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 2076 Prohibiting E-verify Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 28, 2008 FL SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
April 23, 2008 FL SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
April 15, 2008 LA HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
Aug. 1, 2007 National HR 3162 State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
July 26, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (281 - 142)
June 21, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
June 21, 2007 OR HB 2801 Exploration of Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
June 7, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (247 - 176)
June 6, 2007 National HR 2560 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007 Bill Failed - House (204 - 213)
May 31, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (70 - 44)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
April 11, 2007 National S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
April 11, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
March 29, 2007 DE SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
March 1, 2007 IL HB 138 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
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 Amendment Stem Cell Research Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (58 - 38)
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 18, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
June 29, 2006 National HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 11, 2006 NH SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
April 20, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
April 19, 2006 NH SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Resolution Passed - House (198 - 140)
April 18, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
April 17, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Failed - House (25 - 30)
April 12, 2006 MO HA 9 Eminent Domain Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 129)
April 12, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 21)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 4-0.01 Stem Cell Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 6, 2006 FL A 990241 Stem Cell Research Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
March 23, 2006 MD Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 3, 2006 MD HB 1 Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
March 2, 2006 OK HB 2107 Science Instruction Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
March 1, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
Jan. 3, 2006 RI H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Jan. 3, 2006 RI H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13)
Nov. 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
July 22, 2005 National H Amdt 511 Advanced Research Opportunities Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (192 - 206)
June 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
May 24, 2005 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - House (238 - 194)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
3/20 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
3/12 SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
2/26 HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/19 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
6/12 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
6/11 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
6/11 SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
5/29 AB 2076 Prohibiting E-verify Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
5/07 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
4/29 H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/28 SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
4/23 SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
4/15 HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/20 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
3/14 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
2/27 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/16 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
8/01 HR 3162 State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
7/26 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (281 - 142)
6/21 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
6/21 HB 2801 Exploration of Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
6/07 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (247 - 176)
6/06 HR 2560 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007 Bill Failed - House (204 - 213)
5/31 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (70 - 44)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
4/11 S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
4/11 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
3/29 SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/20 SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
3/01 HB 138 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
2/23 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
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 Amendment Stem Cell Research Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (58 - 38)
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)
7/18 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
6/29 HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/11 SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
4/20 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
4/19 SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Resolution Passed - House (198 - 140)
4/18 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
4/17 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Failed - House (25 - 30)
4/12 HA 9 Eminent Domain Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 129)
4/12 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 21)
4/11 Amdt Item 4-0.01 Stem Cell Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
4/11 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/06 A 990241 Stem Cell Research Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
3/23 Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/03 HB 1 Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
3/02 HB 2107 Science Instruction Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
3/01 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
1/03 H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
1/03 H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13)
11/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
11/09 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
7/22 H Amdt 511 Advanced Research Opportunities Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (192 - 206)
6/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
5/24 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - House (238 - 194)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)

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