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 1, 2008 IL SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
May 1, 2008 MO HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 1, 2008 IL SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
May 1, 2008 AL HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
May 1, 2008 CO HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 30, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 30, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
April 30, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
April 30, 2008 IL HB 5278 Limiting County Clerk and Election Board Members' Endorsements Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
April 29, 2008 LA S Amdt 2096 Gradual Income Tax Deduction Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
April 29, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 29, 2008 TN SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 24, 2008 FL Amdt 28283 Commuter Trains in Orlando Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 64)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
April 24, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 OK SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 CT HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (102 - 43)
April 23, 2008 FL HJR 7125 State and Local Government Revenue Limitations Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
April 23, 2008 FL HJR 949 Property Taxes Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 23, 2008 MI HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 23, 2008 DE SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1198 Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
April 21, 2008 MO HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (125 - 16)
April 17, 2008 IA S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
April 17, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
April 17, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 17, 2008 MO HJR 71 Sales Tax for Veterans' Services Joint Resolution Passed - House (106 - 39)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 16, 2008 MO SA 1 to HB 2007 Mega-Project Fund Appropriation Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22)
April 16, 2008 NH SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - House (219 - 113)
April 16, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
April 16, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
April 15, 2008 IA S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
April 15, 2008 MS SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
April 15, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 15, 2008 LA SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 15, 2008 National HR 5036 Federal Funding for Voting System Changes Bill Passed - House (239 - 178)
April 15, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 15, 2008 AL HB 274 Food Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 14, 2008 MO HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
April 14, 2008 ME LD 2304 Driver's License Residency Requirement Bill Passed - House (108 - 29)
April 14, 2008 MO HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
April 13, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 12, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
April 10, 2008 SC H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
April 10, 2008 NE LB 1082 Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 10, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
April 10, 2008 National H Res 1092 Postponing the Consideration of the Trade Agreement with Colombia Resolution Passed - House (224 - 195)
April 10, 2008 MA Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
April 10, 2008 FL HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
April 10, 2008 MN HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
April 10, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
April 10, 2008 MO HJR 70 State Spending Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 65)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4549 Funding Road Repair and Maintenance Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
April 9, 2008 FL SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 9, 2008 NY S 6807 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (107 - 41)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
April 9, 2008 NY S 6801 2008-2009 Legislative and Judiciary Budget Bill Passed - House (110 - 37)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/01 SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
5/01 HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/01 SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
5/01 HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
5/01 HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/30 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/30 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
4/30 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
4/30 HB 5278 Limiting County Clerk and Election Board Members' Endorsements Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
4/29 S Amdt 2096 Gradual Income Tax Deduction Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
4/29 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/29 SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/25 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/24 Amdt 28283 Commuter Trains in Orlando Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 64)
4/24 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
4/24 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
4/23 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
4/23 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - House (102 - 43)
4/23 HJR 7125 State and Local Government Revenue Limitations Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
4/23 HJR 949 Property Taxes Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 38)
4/23 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/23 HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
4/23 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/23 SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/22 SB 1198 Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
4/22 SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
4/21 HB 2393 Mega-Project Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (125 - 16)
4/17 S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
4/17 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
4/17 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/17 HJR 71 Sales Tax for Veterans' Services Joint Resolution Passed - House (106 - 39)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/16 SA 1 to HB 2007 Mega-Project Fund Appropriation Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22)
4/16 SB 502 Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Bill Passed - House (219 - 113)
4/16 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
4/16 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
4/15 S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
4/15 SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
4/15 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
4/15 LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64)
4/15 LD 2247 Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/15 SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/15 HR 5036 Federal Funding for Voting System Changes Bill Passed - House (239 - 178)
4/15 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/15 HB 274 Food Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/14 HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
4/14 LD 2304 Driver's License Residency Requirement Bill Passed - House (108 - 29)
4/14 HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
4/13 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/12 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
4/10 H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
4/10 LB 1082 Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/10 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
4/10 H Res 1092 Postponing the Consideration of the Trade Agreement with Colombia Resolution Passed - House (224 - 195)
4/10 Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
4/10 HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
4/10 HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
4/10 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
4/10 HJR 70 State Spending Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 65)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/09 H 4549 Funding Road Repair and Maintenance Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
4/09 SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/09 H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/09 S 6807 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (107 - 41)
4/09 H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
4/09 S 6801 2008-2009 Legislative and Judiciary Budget Bill Passed - House (110 - 37)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)

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