Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
March 24, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
March 24, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 21, 2006 NH CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
March 21, 2006 NH Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
March 21, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5192 Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction Bill Passed - House (86 - 17)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
March 21, 2006 OH HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 17, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
March 16, 2006 NH SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
March 16, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
March 16, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (348 - 71)
March 16, 2006 AZ HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 15, 2006 OH Amdt. HB 9 Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 14, 2006 OK HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 11, 2006 WV Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 10, 2006 CO Amendment L.004 Balanced Teaching Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20)
March 10, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 9, 2006 NH HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
March 8, 2006 MS HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
March 8, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
March 7, 2006 OK HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
March 7, 2006 National S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
March 7, 2006 National S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
March 7, 2006 IA HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
March 7, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
March 6, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
March 6, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
March 2, 2006 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
March 2, 2006 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 2, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 2, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 2, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 2, 2006 NJ A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
March 1, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
March 1, 2006 KY HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
March 1, 2006 ID SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 1, 2006 UT HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 1, 2006 UT HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 ID S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN HB 1028 Firearms and Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 VT HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 KY HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2006 ID H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2006 MO SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2006 UT HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 20, 2006 VA HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
Feb. 15, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2006 UT 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 11, 2006 NM SB 216 Criminal DNA Collection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/24 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
3/24 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/21 CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
3/21 Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
3/21 Sub for HB 5192 Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction Bill Passed - House (86 - 17)
3/21 HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
3/21 HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/17 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
3/16 SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/16 S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
3/16 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
3/16 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (348 - 71)
3/16 HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/15 Amdt. HB 9 Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/14 HB 2475 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Failed - House (30 - 67)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/11 Com Sub SB 205 Sex Offenders Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/10 Amendment L.004 Balanced Teaching Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20)
3/10 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/09 HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
3/09 HB 2577 Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing Bill Passed - House (35 - 20)
3/09 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
3/08 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
3/08 HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
3/08 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
3/08 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
3/07 HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
3/07 S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
3/07 S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
3/07 HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
3/07 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/06 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
3/06 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
3/06 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - House (49 - 12)
3/06 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/06 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
3/02 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
3/02 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/02 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/02 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/02 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/02 A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
3/01 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
3/01 HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
3/01 SJR 106 Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/01 HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/01 HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/28 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 S 1337 Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 HB 1028 Firearms and Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
2/22 HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/22 H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
2/22 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/21 SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
2/20 HB 329 Big Game Hunting Age Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/20 HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/15 HB 1422 Motion on Death Penalty Repeal "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (200 - 137)
2/15 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/15 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/14 HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/14 Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/13 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
2/13 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/13 HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/11 SB 216 Criminal DNA Collection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)

arrow_upward