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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 19, 2008 | MI | SB 861 | Tuition Assistance for Students in High Poverty Areas | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 12 | Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 12 | Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
Dec. 16, 2008 | OH | SB 380 | Election Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
Dec. 16, 2008 | OH | HB 649 | Funding Veterans' Bonuses Using the Budget Stabilization Fund | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
Dec. 15, 2008 | NJ | S 1599 | Mortgage and Housing Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (49 - 28) |
Dec. 15, 2008 | NJ | A 3373 | Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 10) |
Dec. 11, 2008 | MI | HB 4141 | Expanding the Use of School Sinking Funds | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
Dec. 11, 2008 | MI | HB 6610 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (65 - 36) |
Dec. 10, 2008 | OH | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
Dec. 10, 2008 | OH | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
Dec. 10, 2008 | OH | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
Dec. 4, 2008 | MI | HB 4405 | Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform | Bill Passed - House (63 - 43) |
Dec. 4, 2008 | MI | HB 4090 | Expanding Early Voting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 50) |
Dec. 4, 2008 | MI | HB 4090 | Expanding Early Voting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 50) |
Dec. 4, 2008 | MI | HB 4404 | Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles | Bill Passed - House (59 - 47) |
Nov. 17, 2008 | NJ | A 3374 | Public Assistance Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (67 - 10) |
Nov. 17, 2008 | NJ | A 3294 | Capital Investment and Employment Grants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 22) |
Nov. 17, 2008 | NJ | A 3459 | Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Oct. 21, 2008 | SC | H Amdt 20 to H 5300 | Repealing Property Tax Exemption | Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17) |
Oct. 21, 2008 | SC | H Amdt 11 to H 5300 | Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding | Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50) |
Sept. 19, 2008 | CA | SBx1 28 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
Sept. 16, 2008 | CA | AB 1781 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11) |
Sept. 16, 2008 | CA | AB 1452 | Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
Sept. 16, 2008 | CA | SCA 12 | State Lottery Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 14) |
Sept. 9, 2008 | CA | SB 1087 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Failed - House (27 - 45) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | AB 2321 | Metro Sales Tax Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
Aug. 30, 2008 | CA | AB 583 | Public Financing of Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32) |
Aug. 30, 2008 | CA | AB 583 | Public Financing of Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32) |
Aug. 29, 2008 | CA | AB 1107 | Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 18) |
Aug. 29, 2008 | CA | SB 1407 | Financing Courthouse Construction | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
Aug. 19, 2008 | NM | SB 24 | Tax Rebate | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
Aug. 19, 2008 | NY | A 11838 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (118 - 24) |
Aug. 18, 2008 | NM | SB 22 | Subsidizing Children's Health Care | Bill Passed - House (47 - 19) |
Aug. 17, 2008 | CA | AB 1781 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Rejected - House (45 - 30) |
Aug. 17, 2008 | NM | HB 5 | Electronic Medical Records | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
Aug. 16, 2008 | NM | HB 4 | Working Families Tax Credit Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 25) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | CA | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 12) |
Aug. 12, 2008 | CA | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29) |
Aug. 12, 2008 | CA | SB 1589 | Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
Aug. 7, 2008 | AK | SB 4002 | Energy Rebate Bill | Bill Passed - House (33 - 5) |
Aug. 6, 2008 | AK | SB 4002 | Energy Rebate Bill | Bill Passed - House (30 - 7) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
July 23, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152) |
July 22, 2008 | AK | HB 3001 | Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
July 16, 2008 | National | HR 415 | Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System | Bill Passed - House (242 - 175) |
July 15, 2008 | CA | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
July 15, 2008 | National | HR 5803 | Backup Paper Ballots | Bill Failed - House (248 - 170) |
July 9, 2008 | VA | SB 6009 | Transportation Taxes | Bill Failed - House (39 - 59) |
July 9, 2008 | MA | H 678 | National Popular Vote Plan | Bill Passed - House (116 - 37) |
July 9, 2008 | National | HR 5811 | Electronic Communications Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (286 - 137) |
July 9, 2008 | MA | Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold | Bill Failed - House (34 - 120) | |
July 9, 2008 | MA | Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District | Bill Failed - House (34 - 120) | |
July 8, 2008 | NC | HB 2690 | Durham County Meals Tax | Bill Passed - House (60 - 59) |
July 8, 2008 | NC | HB 2690 | Durham County Meals Tax | Bill Passed - House (60 - 59) |
July 8, 2008 | NC | HB 2436 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 20) |
July 4, 2008 | PA | SB 1389 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 32) |
July 4, 2008 | PA | HB 1067 | Omnibus Education Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11) |
July 1, 2008 | DE | SB 300 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - House (33 - 7) |
June 28, 2008 | MI | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 30) |
June 27, 2008 | MS | HB 17 | Medicaid Funds Bill | Bill Passed - House (68 - 44) |
June 27, 2008 | MS | HB 17 | Medicaid Funds Bill | Bill Passed - House (68 - 44) |
June 27, 2008 | AZ | HCR 2024 | Election of Superior Court Judges | Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32) |
June 27, 2008 | AZ | HCR 2024 | Election of Superior Court Judges | Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32) |
June 26, 2008 | AZ | HB 2209 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 29) |
June 26, 2008 | WV | HB 219 | Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements | Bill Passed - House (67 - 21) |
June 26, 2008 | DE | HB 518 | Alcohol Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
June 25, 2008 | PA | A 7738 | Real ID Biometric Data | Bill Failed - House (92 - 108) |
June 24, 2008 | NY | A 11258 | Mandatory Cigarette Taxation | Bill Passed - House (141 - 3) |
June 24, 2008 | NY | A 11258 | Mandatory Cigarette Taxation | Bill Passed - House (141 - 3) |
June 23, 2008 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1557 | FamilyCare Expansion bill | Bill Passed - House (59 - 18) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | A 2873 | School Construction Bonds | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
June 21, 2008 | LA | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
June 21, 2008 | LA | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
June 21, 2008 | LA | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
June 21, 2008 | LA | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
June 20, 2008 | LA | SB 718 | State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 8) |
June 19, 2008 | RI | S 2112 | National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
June 13, 2008 | LA | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (56 - 45) |
June 13, 2008 | LA | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (56 - 45) |
June 11, 2008 | MA | H 4554 | Life-Science Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15) |
June 11, 2008 | LA | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
June 11, 2008 | CT | SB 1001 | Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
June 11, 2008 | CT | SB 1001 | Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
June 11, 2008 | RI | S 2081 | Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote | Bill Passed - House (55 - 9) |
June 10, 2008 | LA | SB 807 | Cable Deregulation Bill | Bill Passed - House (94 - 9) |
June 9, 2008 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Failed - House (49 - 26) |
June 9, 2008 | LA | HB 734 | Tuition Increase Bill | Bill Passed - House (84 - 18) |
June 5, 2008 | MI | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 47) |
June 4, 2008 | NH | SB 321 | Cigarette Tax Increase and Wine Discount Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - House (205 - 137) |
June 4, 2008 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38) |
May 31, 2008 | AL | SB 51 | 2008-2009 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (98 - 4) |
May 29, 2008 | CA | AB 1819 | Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
May 29, 2008 | CA | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Bill Passed - House (60 - 3) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/19 | SB 861 | Tuition Assistance for Students in High Poverty Areas | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
12/18 | ABx1 12 | Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
12/18 | ABx1 12 | Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
12/16 | SB 380 | Election Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
12/16 | HB 649 | Funding Veterans' Bonuses Using the Budget Stabilization Fund | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
12/15 | S 1599 | Mortgage and Housing Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (49 - 28) |
12/15 | A 3373 | Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 10) |
12/11 | HB 4141 | Expanding the Use of School Sinking Funds | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
12/11 | HB 6610 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (65 - 36) |
12/10 | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
12/10 | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
12/10 | HB 648 | Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
12/04 | HB 4405 | Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform | Bill Passed - House (63 - 43) |
12/04 | HB 4090 | Expanding Early Voting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 50) |
12/04 | HB 4090 | Expanding Early Voting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 50) |
12/04 | HB 4404 | Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles | Bill Passed - House (59 - 47) |
11/17 | A 3374 | Public Assistance Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (67 - 10) |
11/17 | A 3294 | Capital Investment and Employment Grants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 22) |
11/17 | A 3459 | Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
10/21 | H Amdt 20 to H 5300 | Repealing Property Tax Exemption | Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17) |
10/21 | H Amdt 11 to H 5300 | Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding | Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50) |
9/19 | SBx1 28 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
9/16 | AB 1781 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11) |
9/16 | AB 1452 | Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
9/16 | SCA 12 | State Lottery Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 14) |
9/09 | SB 1087 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Failed - House (27 - 45) |
8/31 | AB 2321 | Metro Sales Tax Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25) |
8/31 | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
8/30 | AB 583 | Public Financing of Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32) |
8/30 | AB 583 | Public Financing of Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32) |
8/29 | AB 1107 | Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 18) |
8/29 | SB 1407 | Financing Courthouse Construction | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
8/19 | SB 24 | Tax Rebate | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
8/19 | A 11838 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (118 - 24) |
8/18 | SB 22 | Subsidizing Children's Health Care | Bill Passed - House (47 - 19) |
8/17 | AB 1781 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Rejected - House (45 - 30) |
8/17 | HB 5 | Electronic Medical Records | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
8/16 | HB 4 | Working Families Tax Credit Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 25) |
8/13 | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15) |
8/13 | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 12) |
8/12 | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29) |
8/12 | SB 1589 | Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
8/07 | SB 4002 | Energy Rebate Bill | Bill Passed - House (33 - 5) |
8/06 | SB 4002 | Energy Rebate Bill | Bill Passed - House (30 - 7) |
7/29 | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
7/23 | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152) |
7/22 | HB 3001 | Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
7/16 | HR 415 | Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System | Bill Passed - House (242 - 175) |
7/15 | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
7/15 | HR 5803 | Backup Paper Ballots | Bill Failed - House (248 - 170) |
7/09 | SB 6009 | Transportation Taxes | Bill Failed - House (39 - 59) |
7/09 | H 678 | National Popular Vote Plan | Bill Passed - House (116 - 37) |
7/09 | HR 5811 | Electronic Communications Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (286 - 137) |
7/09 | Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold | Bill Failed - House (34 - 120) | |
7/09 | Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District | Bill Failed - House (34 - 120) | |
7/08 | HB 2690 | Durham County Meals Tax | Bill Passed - House (60 - 59) |
7/08 | HB 2690 | Durham County Meals Tax | Bill Passed - House (60 - 59) |
7/08 | HB 2436 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 20) |
7/04 | SB 1389 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 32) |
7/04 | HB 1067 | Omnibus Education Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11) |
7/01 | SB 300 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - House (33 - 7) |
6/28 | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 30) |
6/27 | HB 17 | Medicaid Funds Bill | Bill Passed - House (68 - 44) |
6/27 | HB 17 | Medicaid Funds Bill | Bill Passed - House (68 - 44) |
6/27 | HCR 2024 | Election of Superior Court Judges | Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32) |
6/27 | HCR 2024 | Election of Superior Court Judges | Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32) |
6/26 | HB 2209 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 29) |
6/26 | HB 219 | Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements | Bill Passed - House (67 - 21) |
6/26 | HB 518 | Alcohol Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
6/25 | A 7738 | Real ID Biometric Data | Bill Failed - House (92 - 108) |
6/24 | A 11258 | Mandatory Cigarette Taxation | Bill Passed - House (141 - 3) |
6/24 | A 11258 | Mandatory Cigarette Taxation | Bill Passed - House (141 - 3) |
6/23 | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
6/23 | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
6/23 | S 1557 | FamilyCare Expansion bill | Bill Passed - House (59 - 18) |
6/23 | A 2873 | School Construction Bonds | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
6/23 | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
6/23 | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
6/21 | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
6/21 | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
6/21 | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
6/21 | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
6/20 | SB 718 | State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 8) |
6/19 | S 2112 | National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
6/13 | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (56 - 45) |
6/13 | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (56 - 45) |
6/11 | H 4554 | Life-Science Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15) |
6/11 | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
6/11 | SB 1001 | Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
6/11 | SB 1001 | Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
6/11 | S 2081 | Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote | Bill Passed - House (55 - 9) |
6/10 | SB 807 | Cable Deregulation Bill | Bill Passed - House (94 - 9) |
6/09 | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Failed - House (49 - 26) |
6/09 | HB 734 | Tuition Increase Bill | Bill Passed - House (84 - 18) |
6/05 | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 47) |
6/04 | SB 321 | Cigarette Tax Increase and Wine Discount Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - House (205 - 137) |
6/04 | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38) |
5/31 | SB 51 | 2008-2009 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (98 - 4) |
5/29 | AB 1819 | Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
5/29 | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Bill Passed - House (60 - 3) |