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
Dec. 6, 2006 National PN 2191 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 19, 2006 National HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Sept. 7, 2006 National S Amdt 4909 Media in the Middle East Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 44)
Sept. 6, 2006 National S Amdt 4882 Cluster Munitions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (30 - 70)
Aug. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
Aug. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
July 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
July 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
July 12, 2006 National S Amdt 4587 Transit Security Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
July 12, 2006 National S Amdt 4553 Rail and Transit Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
July 11, 2006 National S Amdt 4563 FEMA Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
July 11, 2006 National S Amdt 4560 USEMA Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (87 - 11)
July 10, 2006 CO HB 1023 Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
July 10, 2006 CO HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
July 8, 2006 CO HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 29, 2006 National S 3569 U.S. -Oman Free Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
June 22, 2006 National S Amdt 4442 Troop Redeployment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 86)
June 22, 2006 National S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
June 22, 2006 National S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
June 15, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
June 15, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
June 15, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
June 6, 2006 MI HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 31, 2006 SC H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
May 31, 2006 SC H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
May 26, 2006 National PN 1552 Michael Hayden, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 15)
May 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 National S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
May 25, 2006 National S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 National S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Ammendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
May 17, 2006 National S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 4, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
May 4, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
May 4, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 27, 2006 CA SCR 113 The Great American Boycott 2006 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
April 26, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 19, 2006 VA Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
April 19, 2006 TN SB 303 Driver's License Examination English Language Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
April 13, 2006 NE LB 239 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 13, 2006 NE LB 239 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 13, 2006 NH HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
March 27, 2006 GA CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
March 24, 2006 CO HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 8, 2006 GA SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
March 7, 2006 AZ HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
March 2, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
March 2, 2006 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
Feb. 23, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 6, 2006 VA Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 2737 Military Funding and Tax Cuts Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
Feb. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 2737 Military Funding and Tax Cuts Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
Feb. 2, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31)
Jan. 24, 2006 AZ HB 2002 English Language Learners; Structured English Immersion Models; Budget Requests Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/06 PN 2191 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
9/29 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
9/29 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
9/28 S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
9/28 S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/19 HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 32)
9/13 S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
9/13 S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
9/13 S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
9/13 S Amdt 4999 Security of Cargo Containers Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
9/07 S Amdt 4909 Media in the Middle East Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 44)
9/06 S Amdt 4882 Cluster Munitions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (30 - 70)
8/02 S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
8/02 S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
7/13 S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
7/13 S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
7/12 S Amdt 4587 Transit Security Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
7/12 S Amdt 4553 Rail and Transit Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
7/11 S Amdt 4563 FEMA Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
7/11 S Amdt 4560 USEMA Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (87 - 11)
7/10 HB 1023 Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
7/10 HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
7/08 HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/29 S 3569 U.S. -Oman Free Trade Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
6/22 S Amdt 4442 Troop Redeployment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 86)
6/22 S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
6/22 S 2766 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
6/15 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
6/15 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
6/15 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
6/06 HB 5143 "Self-Defense Act" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/01 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/01 SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/31 H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
5/31 H 4938 State Guard Emergency Air Wing Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 15)
5/26 PN 1552 Michael Hayden, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 15)
5/25 S Amdt 4097 Confidentiality Requirement Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 49)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
5/25 S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Ammendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
5/23 S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
5/18 S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
5/18 S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
5/17 S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/04 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
5/04 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
5/04 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 21)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/27 SCR 113 The Great American Boycott 2006 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/26 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/19 Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
4/19 SB 303 Driver's License Examination English Language Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
4/13 LB 239 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/13 LB 239 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/13 HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
3/27 CCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16)
3/24 HB 1010 Requiring Legislative Approval Before Entering International Trade Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/16 S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
3/16 S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
3/16 S Amdt 3166 National Defense Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/08 SCS SB 529 Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
3/07 HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/06 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
3/02 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
3/02 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
2/23 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/14 Sub SB 677 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/06 Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/02 S Amdt 2737 Military Funding and Tax Cuts Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
2/02 S Amdt 2737 Military Funding and Tax Cuts Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
2/02 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31)
1/24 HB 2002 English Language Learners; Structured English Immersion Models; Budget Requests Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)

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