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
May 27, 2008 IL HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
May 27, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
May 27, 2008 RI S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 27, 2008 RI S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 22, 2008 MS SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
May 22, 2008 MS SB 2011 Increasing Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
May 21, 2008 SC H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
May 19, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
May 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 7)
May 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
May 16, 2008 MO SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (83 - 72)
May 15, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
May 15, 2008 NH HB 1509 Allocation of Gambling/Gaming Profits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 15, 2008 CA SB 1589 Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
May 15, 2008 IL HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
May 15, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
May 14, 2008 LA HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
May 14, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
May 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 13, 2008 AZ HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
May 13, 2008 MO SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
May 13, 2008 MO SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
May 13, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2458 Professional Malpractice Lawsuits Veto Override Failed - House (55 - 42)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 12, 2008 CA SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
May 8, 2008 RI H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
May 7, 2008 SC S Amdt P-4A Cigarette Tax Rate Adjustment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (18 - 24)
May 7, 2008 KS HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49)
May 7, 2008 MO HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
May 7, 2008 KS HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
May 7, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
May 7, 2008 NH SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
May 7, 2008 IL HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
May 7, 2008 NY A 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
May 7, 2008 NY A 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
May 7, 2008 PA HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
May 7, 2008 OH SB 57 Disability Scholarship Fund Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
May 7, 2008 NY A 10219 Mortgage Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (122 - 15)
May 7, 2008 NY S 7594 Gasoline Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
May 7, 2008 MO HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (138 - 14)
May 7, 2008 IL HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
May 6, 2008 SC S Amdt P-1 Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
May 6, 2008 MO HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 63)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
May 6, 2008 OK SB 1150 Voter Identification Requirement Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
May 6, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 6, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
May 6, 2008 CT HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 5, 2008 MN Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 5, 2008 KS HB 2860 Eminent Domain and Water Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 5, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
May 5, 2008 CT HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
May 3, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1)
May 3, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
May 2, 2008 FL HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 1, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
May 1, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11)
May 1, 2008 FL HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
5/27 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (74 - 32)
5/27 AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
5/27 S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/27 S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/22 SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
5/22 SB 2011 Increasing Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
5/21 H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
5/19 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 7)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
5/16 SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (83 - 72)
5/15 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
5/15 HB 1509 Allocation of Gambling/Gaming Profits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/15 SB 1589 Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
5/15 HB 4758 Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority Bill Passed - House (83 - 28)
5/15 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
5/14 HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
5/14 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
5/13 SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
5/13 SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
5/13 HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
5/13 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
5/12 HB 2458 Professional Malpractice Lawsuits Veto Override Failed - House (55 - 42)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/12 SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
5/08 H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
5/07 S Amdt P-4A Cigarette Tax Rate Adjustment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (18 - 24)
5/07 HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49)
5/07 HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
5/07 HB 2946 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
5/07 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
5/07 SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
5/07 HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
5/07 A 8972 Foreclosure and Lending Bill Passed - House (113 - 21)
5/07 A 9695 Foreclosure Relief Bill Passed - House (126 - 11)
5/07 A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
5/07 A 10083 Foreclosure Assistance Finance Bill Passed - House (104 - 33)
5/07 HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
5/07 SB 57 Disability Scholarship Fund Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
5/07 A 10219 Mortgage Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (122 - 15)
5/07 S 7594 Gasoline Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
5/07 HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (138 - 14)
5/07 HJR 132 Legislative Salaries Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8)
5/06 S Amdt P-1 Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13)
5/06 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
5/06 HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 63)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
5/06 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
5/06 SB 1150 Voter Identification Requirement Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
5/06 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/06 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
5/06 HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/05 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/05 HB 2860 Eminent Domain and Water Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57)
5/05 HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
5/05 HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
5/05 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
5/05 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
5/05 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/05 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
5/05 HB 5577 Mortgage Assistance Bill Passed - House (124 - 24)
5/03 SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1)
5/03 SB 81 Health Care Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16)
5/02 HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
5/02 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
5/02 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/01 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 10)
5/01 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11)
5/01 HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 44)

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