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
April 25, 2006 OK HCS HB 2615 "Stand Your Ground Law" Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
April 25, 2006 OK HCS HB 2615 "Stand Your Ground Law" Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
April 20, 2006 CO SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 20, 2006 MN SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
April 17, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
April 13, 2006 AZ SB 1444 Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 6, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
April 4, 2006 AZ HB 2074 Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 30, 2006 NE LB 454 Concealed Handgun Permit Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 29, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 28, 2006 SC Amdt 2B Amendment Outlining Sentencing Guidelines for Those Convicted of Sexual Battery of Children Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
March 27, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
March 27, 2006 MD SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
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 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
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 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
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 - Senate (34 - 16)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
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 8, 2006 MS HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 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 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 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2006 UT HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
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)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN HB 1028 Firearms and Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
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 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
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. 20, 2006 VA HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
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. 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 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2006 VA SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2006 NM SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2006 IN SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Jan. 31, 2006 NM SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2006 VA SB 362 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/25 HCS HB 2615 "Stand Your Ground Law" Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
4/25 HCS HB 2615 "Stand Your Ground Law" Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
4/20 SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/20 SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
4/17 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
4/13 SB 1444 Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
4/11 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/11 HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/06 HB 1177 Smoking Ban "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
4/04 HB 2074 Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/30 LB 454 Concealed Handgun Permit Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/29 Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/28 Amdt 2B Amendment Outlining Sentencing Guidelines for Those Convicted of Sexual Battery of Children Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/28 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
3/28 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25)
3/27 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
3/27 SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
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)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
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)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
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 - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
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)
3/08 HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 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 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 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 HB 328 Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
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)
2/28 HB 1028 Firearms and Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
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 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
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 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
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)
2/20 HB 968 Membership of the Board of Correctional Education Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/15 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
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)
2/11 SB 216 Criminal DNA Collection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/07 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/07 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/02 SB 253 Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/31 SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
1/31 SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
1/31 SB 258 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
1/31 SB 362 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
1/27 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)

arrow_upward