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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 18, 2007 National HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Nov. 8, 2007 National PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
Nov. 8, 2007 National PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
Nov. 1, 2007 National HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 18, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4749 Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Oct. 18, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4749 Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
Oct. 3, 2007 IL SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
Sept. 27, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
Sept. 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
Sept. 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
Aug. 30, 2007 CA SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Aug. 3, 2007 National S 1927 Foreign Intelligence Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 28)
Aug. 2, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2480 Border Fence and Customs Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1)
July 26, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
July 26, 2007 National HR 2638 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 4)
July 20, 2007 National HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
July 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
July 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
July 17, 2007 NC CS SB 563 Traffic and Personal Safety Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
July 9, 2007 KY SCS SB 5 Public Employee Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
June 28, 2007 National S 1639 Second Immigration Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 53)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 20, 2007 LA HB 320 Extension of Satellite Voting Provisions Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
June 18, 2007 OR SB 571 Smoking Ban Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 18, 2007 OR SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 14, 2007 DE HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 14, 2007 DE HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 14, 2007 DE HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
June 11, 2007 National S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
June 11, 2007 National S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 7 Marco Firebaugh Memorial Children’s Health and Safety Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
June 6, 2007 National S Amdt 1250 Law Enforcement Review of Z Visa Applications Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 39)
June 6, 2007 National S Amdt 1184 Denying Legal Status for Immigrants Convicted of Certain Crimes Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
June 6, 2007 National S Amdt 1333 Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 32)
June 4, 2007 CA SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 1, 2007 CT HB 6715 Medical Use of Marijuana Bill Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 31, 2007 TN SB 2143 Legalization of Handguns in State Parks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
May 24, 2007 TN SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
May 23, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 1044 Gender Identification Nondiscrimination Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
May 10, 2007 RI S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 9, 2007 IL SB 1007 Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
May 3, 2007 MN SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 27, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
April 27, 2007 TX CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 23, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 18, 2007 IA S 3371 Firearms for Campus Police Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
April 17, 2007 TX CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 17, 2007 TX CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 17, 2007 CO SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 16, 2007 TN SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 12, 2007 CO HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 28, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 27, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 26, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 23, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 23, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 22, 2007 IN HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 NE LB 476 Elimination of the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
11/08 PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
11/08 PN 958 Michael B. Mukasey, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 40)
11/01 HR 3963 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/29 SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
10/18 S Sub for Sub HB 4749 Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
10/18 S Sub for Sub HB 4749 Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
10/16 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
10/03 SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
9/27 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
9/19 S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
9/19 S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
8/30 SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
8/03 S 1927 Foreign Intelligence Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 28)
8/02 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
7/26 S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
7/26 S Amdt 2480 Border Fence and Customs Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1)
7/26 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
7/26 HR 2638 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 4)
7/20 HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
7/19 S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
7/19 S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
7/17 CS SB 563 Traffic and Personal Safety Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
7/09 SCS SB 5 Public Employee Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
6/28 S 1639 Second Immigration Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 53)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/20 HB 320 Extension of Satellite Voting Provisions Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
6/19 LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
6/18 SB 571 Smoking Ban Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/18 SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/14 HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/14 HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/14 HB 175 Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
6/11 S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
6/11 S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
6/07 SB 7 Marco Firebaugh Memorial Children’s Health and Safety Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
6/06 S Amdt 1250 Law Enforcement Review of Z Visa Applications Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 39)
6/06 S Amdt 1184 Denying Legal Status for Immigrants Convicted of Certain Crimes Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
6/06 S Amdt 1333 Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 32)
6/04 SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/01 HB 6715 Medical Use of Marijuana Bill Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/31 SB 2143 Legalization of Handguns in State Parks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
5/31 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
5/24 SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
5/23 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
5/23 Sub SB 1044 Gender Identification Nondiscrimination Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/23 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/23 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
5/10 S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/09 SB 1007 Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
5/03 SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/27 HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
4/27 CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/23 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/18 S 3371 Firearms for Campus Police Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
4/17 CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/17 CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/17 SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/16 SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/12 HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 Sub HB 2750 Capital Murder of a Judge Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/28 HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/28 HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/28 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/27 HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/26 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/22 HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 LB 476 Elimination of the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)

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