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
Dec. 7, 2006 National PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
Dec. 7, 2006 National PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
Sept. 25, 2006 National HR 5062 New Hampshire Wilderness Act Bill Failed - House (220 - 169)
Sept. 7, 2006 National HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 3, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
Aug. 1, 2006 National S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
July 29, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
July 27, 2006 National HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
July 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
July 20, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
July 19, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
July 19, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
July 18, 2006 NC HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
July 18, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
July 18, 2006 NC HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 29, 2006 CA SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
June 29, 2006 PA HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
June 18, 2006 LA HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 15, 2006 LA SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
June 14, 2006 LA Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
June 4, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 31, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 30, 2006 LA HB 685 Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 34)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 25, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
May 23, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
May 22, 2006 AK CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 51)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 18, 2006 National HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 17, 2006 TN SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
May 15, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
May 15, 2006 CA AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 12, 2006 MO SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
May 11, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 9, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 8, 2006 NY A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
May 5, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
May 5, 2006 CO SB 227 Healthcare Disclosure Act Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 4, 2006 CO SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
May 4, 2006 LA HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
May 3, 2006 National S Amdt 3688 Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
May 3, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
May 3, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 34)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
May 3, 2006 OK HCS SB 806 Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
May 3, 2006 IA SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
9/25 HR 5062 New Hampshire Wilderness Act Bill Failed - House (220 - 169)
9/07 HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
8/31 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32)
8/31 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/31 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/31 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/31 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
8/30 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
8/30 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
8/30 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
8/30 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/30 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/29 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/29 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
8/29 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
8/29 AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/03 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
8/01 S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
7/29 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
7/27 HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
7/25 S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
7/20 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
7/19 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
7/19 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
7/18 HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
7/18 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
7/18 HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/29 SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
6/29 HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
6/18 HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/15 SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
6/14 Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
6/04 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/31 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/31 AB 1899 Flood Assessment Requirements for Building Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/30 HB 685 Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 34)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/25 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
5/24 SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
5/23 Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
5/22 CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
5/20 SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 51)
5/20 SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/18 HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/17 SB 3895 Revisions to TennCare Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
5/15 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - House (66 - 5)
5/15 AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/12 SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
5/11 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/09 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/08 A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
5/05 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
5/05 SB 227 Healthcare Disclosure Act Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/04 SB 138 Ethanol Requirement Act Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
5/04 HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
5/03 S Amdt 3688 Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
5/03 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
5/03 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 34)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
5/03 HCS SB 806 Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
5/03 SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)

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