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
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
April 12, 2006 NE LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
June 21, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
March 16, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
March 7, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 2, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
April 20, 2006 OR HB 3511 Minimum Sentence for Some First-Degree Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
Jan. 25, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
Jan. 9, 2006 NJ S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
April 27, 2006 CT LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
May 15, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
March 16, 2006 FL HB 145 Joint and Several Liability Elimination Bill Passed - House (93 - 27)
March 30, 2006 FL HB 145 Joint and Several Liability Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
Jan. 20, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 27, 2006 CO HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
Jan. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 9, 2006 KS SCR 1606 Supreme Court Justice Selection Procedure Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 17)
April 17, 2006 CT HB 5212 News Media Information Protection Bill Passed - House (107 - 34)
Jan. 19, 2006 WI AB 766 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 36)
May 1, 2006 KS HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
April 24, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Bill Passed - House (79 - 64)
March 1, 2006 OK SB 1471 Establishing the Oklahoma Innocence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
April 27, 2006 OK HCS SCS SB 1657 Civil Procedure Bill Passed - House (54 - 30)
March 15, 2006 OK HCS HB 3120 Tort Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
April 5, 2006 FL HB 7009 Review of Local Government Managers Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
April 11, 2006 AZ SB 1444 Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2006 VT HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
Jan. 23, 2006 WA 2nd Sub HB 2292 Addressing Health Care Liability Reform Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Jan. 26, 2006 RI H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
May 9, 2006 RI H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
March 15, 2006 OH Amdt. HB 9 Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43)
March 29, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 29, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2006 KY HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2006 NM SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
June 21, 2006 NY S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
July 25, 2006 NC HB 1323 Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28)
March 2, 2006 NJ A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
June 14, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
June 22, 2006 NJ A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 25, 2006 SC S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
May 25, 2006 SC Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
April 27, 2006 ME LD 1938 Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77)
June 12, 2006 PA HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
April 28, 2006 ME HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 29, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 10, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 29, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
July 23, 1998 National HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Passed - House (296 - 132)
Sept. 18, 1998 National HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (64 - 36)
March 7, 2006 National S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (231 - 181)
March 21, 1996 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
March 29, 1996 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158)
May 10, 1995 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
Oct. 13, 1998 National S 1260 Securities Litigation Conference Report Adopted - House (319 - 82)
March 21, 2005 National S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
May 9, 1996 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Veto Override Failed - House (258 - 163)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
Feb. 26, 2007 AZ SB 1302 Use of Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2005 National PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
May 25, 2005 National PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 43)
May 24, 2005 National PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2409 Targeted Case Management Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
Feb. 5, 2007 WY HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
Feb. 26, 2007 CO HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
March 8, 2005 National S Amdt 47 Violent Protestor Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Jan. 31, 2006 National PN 1059 Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
Feb. 22, 2007 MI HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
Feb. 7, 2007 IN HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 13, 2003 National HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
Feb. 27, 2007 NM SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
March 5, 2007 NY S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
4/12 LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
6/21 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
3/16 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/27 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
3/07 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/02 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
4/20 HB 3511 Minimum Sentence for Some First-Degree Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
1/25 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
1/09 S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
2/07 HB 300 Revised Marriage License Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 55)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
4/27 LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
5/15 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
3/16 HB 145 Joint and Several Liability Elimination Bill Passed - House (93 - 27)
3/30 HB 145 Joint and Several Liability Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
1/20 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/03 HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/27 HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
5/03 HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
1/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/09 SCR 1606 Supreme Court Justice Selection Procedure Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 17)
4/17 HB 5212 News Media Information Protection Bill Passed - House (107 - 34)
1/19 AB 766 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 36)
5/01 HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
2/07 HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
4/24 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Bill Passed - House (79 - 64)
3/01 SB 1471 Establishing the Oklahoma Innocence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
4/27 HCS SCS SB 1657 Civil Procedure Bill Passed - House (54 - 30)
3/15 HCS HB 3120 Tort Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
4/05 HB 7009 Review of Local Government Managers Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
4/11 SB 1444 Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
2/22 HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
1/23 2nd Sub HB 2292 Addressing Health Care Liability Reform Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
1/26 H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
5/09 H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/09 HB 199 Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
3/15 Amdt. HB 9 Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43)
3/29 Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/29 Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/22 HCS HB 93 Criminal Record Expungement Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/09 SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
6/21 S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
7/25 HB 1323 Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28)
3/02 A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
6/14 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
6/22 A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/25 S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
5/25 Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
4/27 LD 1938 Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77)
6/12 HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
4/28 HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
1/29 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/10 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/29 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
7/23 HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Passed - House (296 - 132)
9/18 HR 1122 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (64 - 36)
3/07 S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
9/26 HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
9/29 HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (231 - 181)
3/21 HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
3/29 HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158)
5/10 HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
9/26 HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
10/13 S 1260 Securities Litigation Conference Report Adopted - House (319 - 82)
3/21 S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
5/09 HR 956 Product Liability bill Veto Override Failed - House (258 - 163)
2/22 HB 4044 Repealing Drug Company Liability Protection Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
2/26 SB 1302 Use of Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
2/03 PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
5/25 PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 43)
5/24 PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
11/03 S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2409 Targeted Case Management Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
2/05 HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
2/26 HB 1036 Eminent Domain Over Water Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
3/08 S Amdt 47 Violent Protestor Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
1/31 PN 1059 Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
2/22 HB 4046 Pharmaceutical Company Liability Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
2/07 HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/13 HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
2/27 SB 322 Requiring Conference Committees to be Public Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
3/05 S 3318 Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)

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