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
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
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)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
Oct. 4, 2007 National HR 2740 Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 30)
June 27, 2007 OH SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
June 27, 2007 OH SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
June 27, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
June 20, 2007 AZ HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
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 19, 2007 RI H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
June 15, 2007 RI Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
June 11, 2007 National S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
June 7, 2007 NH HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
June 7, 2007 IL HR 25 State Constitutional Convention Awareness Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47)
June 5, 2007 LA HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
June 5, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
June 4, 2007 CA SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 4, 2007 OR HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 2, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
May 31, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 25, 2007 NV AB 510 Parole Credit Act Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
May 24, 2007 NC HB 878 Eminent Domain for Private Use Bill Passed - House (104 - 15)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 22, 2007 National HR 2264 Preventing the Organization of Petroleum Export Groups Bill Passed - House (345 - 72)
May 22, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
May 17, 2007 IL HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
May 15, 2007 NC SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 10, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 27, 2007 FL CS CS HB 1231 Prostitution Act Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
April 27, 2007 IL HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
April 26, 2007 IL HB 317 Abortion Notification Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 62)
April 25, 2007 VT HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 19, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
April 17, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
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 - House (83 - 16)
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 Passed - House (79 - 21)
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 - House (82 - 18)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)
March 28, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 TX CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
March 20, 2007 GA HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
March 20, 2007 IL SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 19, 2007 ID S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
March 15, 2007 KS HB 2530 Physician Liability Exemption Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 8, 2007 MS SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
March 8, 2007 AZ SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
March 8, 2007 AZ HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (34 - 21)
March 7, 2007 ID S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 6, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2007 NM SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2007 CO HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
Feb. 26, 2007 AZ SB 1302 Use of Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2007 MS SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Bill Passed - House (97 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4045 Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
Feb. 21, 2007 NH HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (202 - 150)
Feb. 7, 2007 IN HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 7, 2007 MS SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2007 WY HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
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)
10/30 SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
10/16 HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
10/04 HR 2740 Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 30)
6/27 SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
6/27 SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
6/27 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Failed - House (56 - 42)
6/20 HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
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)
6/19 H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
6/15 Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
6/11 S J Res 14 Attorney General No Confidence Vote Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 38)
6/07 HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
6/07 HR 25 State Constitutional Convention Awareness Resolution Passed - House (48 - 47)
6/05 HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
6/05 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
6/04 SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/04 HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/02 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
5/31 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
5/31 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/25 AB 510 Parole Credit Act Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
5/24 HB 878 Eminent Domain for Private Use Bill Passed - House (104 - 15)
5/23 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/22 HR 2264 Preventing the Organization of Petroleum Export Groups Bill Passed - House (345 - 72)
5/22 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
5/17 HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
5/15 SB 1006 Confidentiality of Competitive Health Care Information Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/10 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/27 CS CS HB 1231 Prostitution Act Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
4/27 HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
4/26 HB 317 Abortion Notification Bill Bill Failed - House (55 - 62)
4/25 HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/19 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/18 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
4/17 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
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 - House (83 - 16)
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 Passed - House (79 - 21)
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 - House (82 - 18)
3/28 HB 774 Medical Marijuana "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (186 - 177)
3/28 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
3/20 HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
3/20 SB 1296 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/19 S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
3/15 HB 2530 Physician Liability Exemption Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
3/13 SB 507 Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/08 SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
3/08 SB 1152 REAL ID Implementation Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
3/08 HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (34 - 21)
3/07 S 1172 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/06 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/27 SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/26 HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
2/26 SB 1302 Use of Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
2/22 SB 2391 Abortion Law Reform Bill Passed - House (97 - 16)
2/22 HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
2/22 HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
2/22 HB 4045 Retroactive Drug Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
2/21 HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (202 - 150)
2/07 HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/07 SB 2391 Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
2/05 HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
1/29 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)

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