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
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Oct. 3, 2007 IL SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
April 27, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
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)
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)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 6, 2007 National S Amdt 1250 Law Enforcement Review of Z Visa Applications Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 39)
July 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
June 6, 2007 National S Amdt 1333 Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 32)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2480 Border Fence and Customs Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1)
July 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health 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)
July 26, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
April 23, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 27, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2007 UT 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Aug. 30, 2007 CA SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
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)
Dec. 18, 2007 National HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
May 31, 2007 TN SB 2143 Legalization of Handguns in State Parks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
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 22, 2007 IN HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 27, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 1044 Gender Identification Nondiscrimination Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 23, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
June 1, 2007 CT HB 6715 Medical Use of Marijuana Bill Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
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)
July 20, 2007 National HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
July 26, 2007 National HR 2638 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 4)
Aug. 2, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
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)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Aug. 3, 2007 National S 1927 Foreign Intelligence Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 28)
Feb. 7, 2007 MS SB 2617 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 8, 2007 NM HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 13, 2007 AR SB 959 Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 13, 2007 National S 4 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 38)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 7, 2007 NM SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
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 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
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 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 8, 2007 AZ SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
March 6, 2007 MD SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 6, 2007 MD SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
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 12, 2007 CO HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 16, 2007 TN SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 17, 2007 CO SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2007 MT SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 27, 2007 TX CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2007 MT SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 3, 2007 MN SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 9, 2007 IL SB 1007 Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
May 10, 2007 RI S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2007 CO SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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)
Feb. 2, 2007 WY SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2007 WY SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
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 24, 2007 TN SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
10/03 SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
4/27 HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
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)
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)
7/26 S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/06 S Amdt 1250 Law Enforcement Review of Z Visa Applications Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 39)
7/19 S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
6/06 S Amdt 1333 Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 32)
7/26 S Amdt 2480 Border Fence and Customs Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 1)
7/19 S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/29 SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
7/26 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
4/23 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 16)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
9/27 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/28 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
8/30 SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
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)
12/18 HR 2764 Inclusion of Iraq and Afghanistan Military Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (76 - 17)
5/31 SB 2143 Legalization of Handguns in State Parks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
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)
3/22 HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/27 HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/28 HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/28 HB 2062 Violence Against Unborn Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
5/23 Sub SB 1044 Gender Identification Nondiscrimination Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/23 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
5/31 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
6/01 HB 6715 Medical Use of Marijuana Bill Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
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)
7/20 HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
7/26 HR 2638 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 4)
8/02 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
10/16 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
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)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
1/23 Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
8/03 S 1927 Foreign Intelligence Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 28)
2/07 SB 2617 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/08 HB 283 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/13 SB 959 Adoption and Foster Care Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/13 SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/13 S 4 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 38)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/07 SB 238 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
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)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/08 SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
3/06 SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/06 SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
2/06 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
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)
4/12 HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/16 SB 227 Voter ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/17 SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/24 SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/27 CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/24 SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/03 SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/09 SB 1007 Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26)
5/10 S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/23 SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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)
2/02 SF 118 Homicide During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
1/31 SF 13 Same Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
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)
5/24 SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)

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