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
April 8, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 8, 2008 IL HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
April 8, 2008 IL HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
April 7, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 7, 2008 MN Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
April 7, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Passed - House (113 - 25)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 3, 2008 MO HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
April 3, 2008 MO HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
April 2, 2008 SC AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
April 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 2, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
April 2, 2008 SC H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
April 2, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 2, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 2, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
April 2, 2008 GA HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
April 1, 2008 MN Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
April 1, 2008 MN Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 1, 2008 GA HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - House (154 - 18)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 1, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
April 1, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
April 1, 2008 ID SJR 107 City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing Bill Failed - House (36 - 33)
April 1, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 1, 2008 KY HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
April 1, 2008 MO HJR 43 Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
April 1, 2008 IL HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1233 Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1123 Funeral Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
March 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 28, 2008 GA HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
March 28, 2008 NE LB 959 2007-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
March 28, 2008 ID H 655 Tax Rebate for Road Projects Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
March 28, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 62)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 66)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
March 27, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
March 27, 2008 ID H 680 Community Infrastructure Districts Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
March 27, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
March 26, 2008 KS Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Public Benefit Ineligibility for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 26, 2008 MD SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 25, 2008 NE LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
March 25, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Bill Passed - House (103 - 20)
March 25, 2008 MI SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 25, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 25, 2008 ID H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 AK HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 24, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
March 24, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/08 HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
4/08 HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
4/07 LD 1932 School Consolidation Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23)
4/07 LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/07 Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
4/07 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
4/07 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/07 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Passed - House (113 - 25)
4/07 LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
4/05 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
4/04 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
4/03 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/03 HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
4/03 HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
4/02 AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/02 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
4/02 H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
4/02 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/02 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/02 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
4/02 HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
4/01 Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
4/01 Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
4/01 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/01 HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7)
4/01 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - House (154 - 18)
4/01 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/01 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
4/01 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
4/01 SJR 107 City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing Bill Failed - House (36 - 33)
4/01 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/01 HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
4/01 HJR 43 Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19)
4/01 HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
4/01 HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
4/01 HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/31 HB 1233 Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 HB 1123 Funeral Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/28 HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
3/28 LB 959 2007-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
3/28 H 655 Tax Rebate for Road Projects Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
3/28 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 62)
3/27 HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 66)
3/27 HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
3/27 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
3/27 H 680 Community Infrastructure Districts Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
3/27 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
3/27 HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
3/26 Brownlee Amnd. Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 2 Public Benefit Ineligibility for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/26 SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/25 LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
3/25 SB 81 Health Care Reform Bill Passed - House (103 - 20)
3/25 SB 1094 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/25 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/25 H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/24 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3)
3/24 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
3/24 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)

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