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
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
March 29, 2006 ID H 814 Judge Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3008 Public Work Projects; Hours and Wages; Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Jan. 26, 2006 AZ HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
July 10, 2006 NC HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 6, 2006 AR HB 1033 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 8, 2006 ID H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 8, 2006 WV SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2006 WV SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
March 27, 2006 GA CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
Jan. 17, 2006 MD HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 11, 2006 ME LD 235 Minimum Wage Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 8, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 8, 2006 GA SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
April 12, 2006 MN SF 1459 School District Employees Statewide Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 27)
April 10, 2006 MN SF 2702 Labor Disputes, Eligibility for Unemployment, and Dislocated Worker Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 20, 2006 CO SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
May 24, 2006 ME LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Aug. 17, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 17, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 106 Labor Unions Bill Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 26)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 23, 2006 CA AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 23, 2006 CA AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
March 27, 2006 ME LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
July 10, 2006 CO HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 8, 2006 CO HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
Jan. 24, 2007 IA HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
March 15, 2007 NJ A 1044 Notification of Job Loss and Plant Closures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Nov. 8, 1997 National HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
Oct. 3, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
April 8, 2004 National HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19)
July 23, 1998 National S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2007 CO HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 3, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
April 24, 2007 AZ HB 2589 Labor Solicitation and Criminal Trespass Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 7, 2005 National S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
March 8, 2007 IA SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2007 ND SB 2122 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
Sept. 10, 1996 National S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 27, 2007 KS SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
June 26, 2007 National HR 800 Union Organization Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
May 24, 2007 National HR 2206 Emergency Departmental Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (80 - 14)
April 26, 2007 NH HB 514 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 28, 2007 MN SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
April 10, 2007 SC S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2007 NM SB 324 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 456 Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
April 23, 2007 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
May 19, 2007 MN HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
June 20, 2007 AZ HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
May 23, 2007 AZ HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
May 24, 2007 TN SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 847 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2572/2 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Repeal Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 24)
June 25, 2007 LA HB 489 Salary Increase for Statewide Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 14, 2007 DE SB 36 State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
June 26, 2007 MI Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
July 3, 2007 NC SCS HB 973 Mental Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
June 18, 2007 OR SB 571 Smoking Ban Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
May 21, 2007 CA SB 180 Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
3/29 H 814 Judge Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/24 HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/07 SB 3008 Public Work Projects; Hours and Wages; Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
1/26 HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
7/10 HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/06 HB 1033 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/08 H 551 Public Works Contractors Licensing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/08 SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/08 SB 539 Mine Director Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
3/27 CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
1/17 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/11 LD 235 Minimum Wage Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/08 Am Sub SB 7 Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/08 SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
5/23 SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
4/12 SF 1459 School District Employees Statewide Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 27)
4/10 SF 2702 Labor Disputes, Eligibility for Unemployment, and Dislocated Worker Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/20 SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/14 SB 449 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
5/24 LD 1021 Police and Firefighter Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/01 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/17 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/17 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/01 SB 106 Labor Unions Bill Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 26)
8/31 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/23 AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/23 AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/01 SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
3/27 LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
7/10 HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/08 HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
1/24 HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
3/15 A 1044 Notification of Job Loss and Plant Closures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
11/08 HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
10/03 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
8/02 HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
6/21 S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
6/21 S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
4/08 HR 3108 Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19)
7/23 S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
2/05 HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/03 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
2/05 Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
4/24 HB 2589 Labor Solicitation and Criminal Trespass Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/12 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/07 S Amdt 44 Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
3/08 SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
2/13 SB 2122 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
9/10 S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/27 SB 385 State Employee Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
6/26 HR 800 Union Organization Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
5/24 HR 2206 Emergency Departmental Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (80 - 14)
4/26 HB 514 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/28 SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
4/10 S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/02 SB 324 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
6/07 SB 456 Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
4/23 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
5/19 HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
6/20 HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
5/23 HB 2779 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
5/24 SB 1325 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
5/31 Sub SB 847 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/29 HB 1678 Employer Health Insurance Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
6/19 LCO # 2572/2 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Repeal Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 24)
6/25 HB 489 Salary Increase for Statewide Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/14 SB 36 State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
6/26 Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
7/03 SCS HB 973 Mental Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
6/18 SB 571 Smoking Ban Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
5/21 SB 180 Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)

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