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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 13, 2006 | CO | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
June 27, 2006 | PA | SB 1230 | Slot Supplier Elimination | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
April 13, 2006 | CO | HB 1126 | Child Product Safety Requirements | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
June 20, 2006 | MI | HB 6213 | Overtime Provisions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
March 14, 2006 | MI | SB 318 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
March 14, 2006 | MI | SB 318 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
March 1, 2006 | UT | 2SSB 19 | Additions to Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34) |
June 1, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2854/19 | West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17) |
June 19, 2006 | RI | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
June 19, 2006 | RI | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Jan. 7, 2007 | IL | SB 1714 | Competitive Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
Jan. 22, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2) |
Jan. 22, 2007 | FL | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0) |
Jan. 26, 2007 | KS | HB 2034 | Increase in Electric and Gas Utility Rate | Bill Passed - House (65 - 54) |
Jan. 30, 2007 | IN | HB 1027 | Minimum Wage Increase and Estate/Death Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
May 23, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4177 | Employer Verification Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39) |
Aug. 1, 1996 | National | HR 3103 | Health Insurance Portability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (421 - 2) |
Aug. 2, 1996 | National | HR 3103 | Health Insurance Portability bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0) |
June 21, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4376 | Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53) |
Oct. 7, 2004 | National | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141) |
Oct. 11, 2004 | National | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17) |
June 21, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4322 | Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46) |
Jan. 10, 2007 | National | HR 2 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (315 - 116) |
April 2, 2004 | National | HR 3108 | Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 69) |
April 8, 2004 | National | HR 3108 | Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19) |
July 28, 2006 | National | HR 4 | Pension Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (279 - 131) |
March 29, 1996 | National | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158) |
March 21, 1996 | National | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40) |
May 10, 1995 | National | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
March 30, 2006 | National | H Amdt 772 | Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 220) |
July 23, 1998 | National | S Amdt 3258 | Temporary Farm Workers Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31) |
Jan. 8, 2003 | National | S 23 | Unemployment Benefits bill | Bill Passed - House (416 - 4) |
Jan. 26, 2007 | VA | SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
Feb. 5, 2007 | CO | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
Jan. 22, 2007 | CO | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
May 9, 1996 | National | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Veto Override Failed - House (258 - 163) |
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) |
Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1327 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4044 | Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
Feb. 14, 2007 | CO | HB 1011 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 30) |
Feb. 8, 2007 | ND | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
March 2, 2007 | SD | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
Feb. 12, 2007 | SD | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
Feb. 7, 2007 | IN | HB 1132 | Notification of Plant Closure or Mass Layoff | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Feb. 22, 2007 | NH | SB 42 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
March 7, 2005 | National | S Amdt 44 | Minimum Wage Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49) |
Feb. 16, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
Feb. 22, 2007 | MI | HB 4046 | Pharmaceutical Company Liability | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
Feb. 1, 2007 | IA | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - House (84 - 12) |
March 19, 2007 | IA | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
Feb. 5, 2007 | WY | HB 128 | Multi-State Lottery | Bill Failed - House (27 - 31) |
Feb. 8, 2007 | SD | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
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. 21, 2007 | VA | H Sub to Sub SB 1416 | Regulation of Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (82 - 16) |
Feb. 19, 2007 | MN | SF 372 | Legalization of Ticket Scalping | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15) |
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) |
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) |
March 8, 2007 | IA | SF 413 | Fair Share Union Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
April 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
April 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17) |
March 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
Feb. 23, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
March 9, 2007 | ND | SB 2417 | Verifying Employee Work Status | Bill Failed - House (18 - 70) |
March 7, 2007 | SC | H 3505 | Jasper County Port Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35) |
March 2, 2007 | ND | HCR 3052 | In-State Lottery | Joint Resolution Failed - House (14 - 75) |
Feb. 13, 2007 | ND | SB 2122 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
4/13 | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
6/27 | SB 1230 | Slot Supplier Elimination | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
4/13 | HB 1126 | Child Product Safety Requirements | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
6/20 | HB 6213 | Overtime Provisions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
3/14 | SB 318 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
3/14 | SB 318 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
3/01 | 2SSB 19 | Additions to Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34) |
6/01 | LCO # 2854/19 | West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17) |
6/19 | LCO # 2167/2 | Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39) |
6/19 | Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A | Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits | Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8) |
8/31 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32) |
8/30 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
1/07 | SB 1714 | Competitive Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
1/22 | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - House (116 - 2) |
1/22 | CS HB 1A | Hurricane Insurance | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0) |
1/26 | HB 2034 | Increase in Electric and Gas Utility Rate | Bill Passed - House (65 - 54) |
1/30 | HB 1027 | Minimum Wage Increase and Estate/Death Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
5/23 | S Amdt 4177 | Employer Verification Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39) |
8/01 | HR 3103 | Health Insurance Portability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (421 - 2) |
8/02 | HR 3103 | Health Insurance Portability bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0) |
6/21 | S Amdt 4376 | Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53) |
10/07 | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141) |
10/11 | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17) |
6/21 | S Amdt 4322 | Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46) |
1/10 | HR 2 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (315 - 116) |
4/02 | HR 3108 | Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (336 - 69) |
4/08 | HR 3108 | Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19) |
7/28 | HR 4 | Pension Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (279 - 131) |
3/29 | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158) |
3/21 | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40) |
5/10 | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
3/30 | H Amdt 772 | Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 220) |
7/23 | S Amdt 3258 | Temporary Farm Workers Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31) |
1/08 | S 23 | Unemployment Benefits bill | Bill Passed - House (416 - 4) |
1/26 | SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
2/05 | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
1/22 | HB 1072 | Termination of All-Union Agreements | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
5/09 | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Veto Override Failed - House (258 - 163) |
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) |
2/05 | Sub SB 1327 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
2/22 | HB 4044 | Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
2/14 | HB 1011 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 30) |
2/08 | SB 2164 | Public Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30) |
3/02 | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
2/12 | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
2/07 | HB 1132 | Notification of Plant Closure or Mass Layoff | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
2/05 | SB 1161 | Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
2/22 | SB 42 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
3/07 | S Amdt 44 | Minimum Wage Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49) |
2/16 | Sub SB 1014 | Payday Lending Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
2/22 | HB 4046 | Pharmaceutical Company Liability | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
2/01 | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - House (84 - 12) |
3/19 | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
2/05 | HB 128 | Multi-State Lottery | Bill Failed - House (27 - 31) |
2/08 | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
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) |
2/21 | H Sub to Sub SB 1416 | Regulation of Electric Utilities | Bill Passed - House (82 - 16) |
2/19 | SF 372 | Legalization of Ticket Scalping | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15) |
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) |
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) |
3/08 | SF 413 | Fair Share Union Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
4/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
4/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17) |
3/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
2/23 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
3/09 | SB 2417 | Verifying Employee Work Status | Bill Failed - House (18 - 70) |
3/07 | H 3505 | Jasper County Port Authority | Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35) |
3/02 | HCR 3052 | In-State Lottery | Joint Resolution Failed - House (14 - 75) |
2/13 | SB 2122 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26) |