Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


Page 1 of 16
results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
April 21, 2010 NH SB 489 Gambling Expansion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158)
April 21, 2006 AR SB 16 Science Specialist Program Funding Line Item Veto Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
May 20, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 19)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
June 2, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
June 14, 2006 SC H 4810 2006-2007 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (99 - 13)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
March 28, 2007 ID H 81 Income Tax Credit for Food Veto Override Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 20, 2007 AL HJR 29 State Legislature Pay Increase Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 41)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
Oct. 3, 2007 IL HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - House (92 - 19)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
March 29, 2007 SC Amendment No. 8 School Tuition Tax Credit Amendment Tabled - House (70 - 49)
March 29, 2006 SC Amendment 63 Cigarette Tax Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 20 to H 5300 Repealing Property Tax Exemption Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
June 6, 2007 ME HCA T Education Reform and School Consolidation Amendment Adopted - House (114 - 27)
Nov. 22, 1993 National H Amdt 415 Sabo Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 Amendment Adopted - House (277 - 153)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
Nov. 11, 2007 AK AM 1 Standard Deduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (21 - 19)
June 19, 2006 RI Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
Nov. 11, 2007 AK AM 8 Oil and Gas Production Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (26 - 14)
March 20, 2008 KS SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 462-4h Central Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 35)
March 11, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 391-4h New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 4-0.01 Stem Cell Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
March 29, 2007 TX F 64 Pay Raise for Public School Employees Amendment Adopted - House (90 - 56)
March 15, 2007 KS Amend HB 2542 Presidential Primary Funding Amendment Adopted - House (85 - 34)
April 27, 2006 MA C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
Jan. 22, 2008 IN Amnd. 72 School Construction Exemption Amendment Adopted - House (49 - 44)
March 8, 2006 WA SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4359 2007-2008 Public School Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 5)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4346 2007-2008 Department of Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 16)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 27)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 8)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 45)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4350 2007-2008 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 22)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 14)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)
June 26, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
Nov. 18, 1999 National HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 135)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 202 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 52)
March 6, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
Nov. 18, 2003 National HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
May 7, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 74)
May 5, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
Dec. 6, 2001 National HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84)
April 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
April 23, 2007 ND HB 1106 Legislative Pay Raise Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 44)
April 29, 2007 IN HB 1001 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 49)
May 8, 2006 TX HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 10)
March 14, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 17)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 27)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
June 27, 2006 CA AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 23)
June 26, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 9, 2006 KS SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 54)
March 16, 2008 WV SB 150 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 5)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 678 Insurance Company Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (204 - 109)
April 23, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 3)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
March 13, 2006 MO CCS SCS HCS HB 1014 Budget Supplements Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 63)
May 15, 2006 TX HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
April 15, 2008 MS SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10)
March 14, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 20)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
May 31, 2009 TX SB 956 Establishing a Public Law School in Dallas Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 24)
March 12, 2008 FL HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 41)
July 13, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
April 30, 2007 KS Sub HB 2237 Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 20)
May 7, 2008 MO HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
May 7, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
4/21 SB 489 Gambling Expansion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158)
4/21 SB 16 Science Specialist Program Funding Line Item Veto Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 13)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
5/20 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 19)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
6/02 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40)
6/14 H 4810 2006-2007 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (99 - 13)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
3/28 H 81 Income Tax Credit for Food Veto Override Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/20 HJR 29 State Legislature Pay Increase Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 41)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37)
10/03 HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - House (92 - 19)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
3/29 Amendment No. 8 School Tuition Tax Credit Amendment Tabled - House (70 - 49)
3/29 Amendment 63 Cigarette Tax Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
10/21 H Amdt 20 to H 5300 Repealing Property Tax Exemption Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17)
2/26 A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
10/21 H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
6/06 HCA T Education Reform and School Consolidation Amendment Adopted - House (114 - 27)
11/22 H Amdt 415 Sabo Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 Amendment Adopted - House (277 - 153)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
11/11 AM 1 Standard Deduction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (21 - 19)
6/19 Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
11/11 AM 8 Oil and Gas Production Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (26 - 14)
3/20 SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
4/11 Amdt Item 462-4h Central Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 35)
3/11 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
4/11 Amdt Item 391-4h New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
4/11 Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34)
4/11 Amdt Item 4-0.01 Stem Cell Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
3/29 F 64 Pay Raise for Public School Employees Amendment Adopted - House (90 - 56)
3/15 Amend HB 2542 Presidential Primary Funding Amendment Adopted - House (85 - 34)
4/27 C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
3/20 H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
1/22 Amnd. 72 School Construction Exemption Amendment Adopted - House (49 - 44)
3/08 SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
10/29 S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4359 2007-2008 Public School Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 5)
10/30 SB 233 2007-2008 State Judiciary Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4346 2007-2008 Department of Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 16)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 27)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 8)
10/29 S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 45)
10/29 S Sub for Sub HB 4350 2007-2008 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 22)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
10/29 SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
10/29 SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 14)
4/28 HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)
6/26 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
11/18 HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 135)
8/05 SB 202 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 52)
3/06 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 41)
11/18 HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
4/29 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
5/07 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 74)
5/05 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
12/06 HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84)
4/04 H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
4/23 HB 1106 Legislative Pay Raise Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 44)
4/29 HB 1001 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 49)
5/08 HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
5/10 HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 10)
3/14 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 17)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
5/18 HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
2/27 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 27)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
6/27 AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 23)
6/26 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 54)
3/16 SB 150 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 5)
5/24 HB 678 Insurance Company Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (204 - 109)
4/23 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 3)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
3/13 CCS SCS HCS HB 1014 Budget Supplements Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 63)
5/15 HB 2 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 56)
4/15 SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10)
3/14 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 20)
4/04 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
5/31 SB 956 Establishing a Public Law School in Dallas Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 24)
3/12 HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 41)
7/13 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
4/30 Sub HB 2237 Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 20)
5/07 HB 2011 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 63)
5/07 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 44)

Page 1 of 16
arrow_upward