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
May 26, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 770 Corporate Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2007 VA H Sub to Sub SB 1416 Regulation of Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
Feb. 21, 2007 NH HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (202 - 150)
Sept. 16, 2009 WI SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Nov. 8, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
May 1, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2007 MN SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Nov. 19, 2009 National HR 3961 Revising Medicare Physician Fee Schedules and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (243 - 183)
March 3, 2008 CO SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 24, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
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)
June 17, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (241 - 182)
March 13, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
Feb. 14, 2008 UT SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
July 10, 2006 NC HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
March 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
March 8, 2007 IA SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2008 WA SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
March 6, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
March 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
March 7, 2007 SC H 3505 Jasper County Port Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35)
March 6, 2008 WI SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
May 5, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 22, 2007 NH SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 5, 2008 MS SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
March 6, 2008 MO HB 1779 Regulation of Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (130 - 22)
Jan. 28, 2010 AZ HB 2250 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 11, 2008 KY HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
March 13, 2007 OR SB 426 School Districts Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 262 Taxation Changes Bill Passed - House (50 - 45)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS SB 501 Kansas Tourism Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
March 21, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
May 25, 2006 CA AB 2122 Shareholder Distribution Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 26, 2006 TN HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 11, 2004 National S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
March 15, 2007 OR HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 17, 2008 KS HB 2938 Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (96 - 26)
March 17, 2008 KS HB 2762 Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (109 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
March 8, 2007 OR HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - House (48 - 9)
March 4, 2008 AL HB 196 Relaxing Alcohol Sales Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 42)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
May 26, 2006 TN HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2230 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 404 Health Insurance Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 19, 2008 NH HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (214 - 107)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - House (41 - 38)
Feb. 16, 2007 WV Com Sub HB 2718 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2008 NM HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1521 Mandatory Clinical Cancer Trial Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 GA SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
March 11, 2008 GA HB 1216 Regional Commissions Bill Passed - House (134 - 30)
March 8, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
May 2, 2007 TN HB 625 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
April 23, 2007 NV AB 494 Unemployment Compensation for Workers in a Lockout Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
April 23, 2007 NV AB 494 Unemployment Compensation for Workers in a Lockout Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
Jan. 19, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Aug. 17, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 20, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2007 IN SB 577 State Lottery Privatization Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 17, 2008 ID H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 5, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
June 6, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
March 28, 2007 AR SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
March 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/26 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
6/12 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
2/28 AB 770 Corporate Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/21 H Sub to Sub SB 1416 Regulation of Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
3/05 AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
2/21 HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (202 - 150)
9/16 SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
11/08 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/24 HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
5/01 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/19 SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
11/19 HR 3961 Revising Medicare Physician Fee Schedules and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (243 - 183)
3/03 SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/24 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
6/17 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (241 - 182)
3/13 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
2/14 SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
7/10 HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/28 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
3/08 SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
3/06 SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
2/12 SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/23 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/05 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
3/06 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
3/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/05 AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
3/05 AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
2/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
3/07 H 3505 Jasper County Port Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (80 - 35)
3/06 SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
2/27 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
1/29 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
5/05 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/22 SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/05 SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
3/06 HB 1779 Regulation of Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (130 - 22)
1/28 HB 2250 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/12 SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/11 HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
3/13 SB 426 School Districts Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/12 HB 262 Taxation Changes Bill Passed - House (50 - 45)
2/28 SB 501 Kansas Tourism Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
3/21 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
5/25 AB 2122 Shareholder Distribution Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/26 HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
2/28 SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/11 S 1637 Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5)
3/15 HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/17 HB 2938 Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (96 - 26)
3/17 HB 2762 Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (109 - 13)
2/08 2nd Sub HB 2572 Health Insurance for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
3/08 HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - House (48 - 9)
3/04 HB 196 Relaxing Alcohol Sales Restrictions Bill Passed - House (48 - 42)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
5/26 HB 3402 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
3/19 HB 2230 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
3/06 SB 404 Health Insurance Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/19 HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (214 - 107)
7/08 A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - House (41 - 38)
2/16 Com Sub HB 2718 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
2/12 HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/08 A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/12 SB 1521 Mandatory Clinical Cancer Trial Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
2/28 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/27 SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
3/11 HB 1216 Regional Commissions Bill Passed - House (134 - 30)
3/08 Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
5/31 AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
5/02 HB 625 Tennessee Minimum Wage Act Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
4/23 AB 494 Unemployment Compensation for Workers in a Lockout Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
5/31 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
4/23 AB 494 Unemployment Compensation for Workers in a Lockout Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
3/24 SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
1/19 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
8/17 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/20 SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
2/27 SB 577 State Lottery Privatization Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/17 H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/05 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
6/06 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
3/28 SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)

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