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 6
results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 14, 2006 IA HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8)
July 14, 2006 IA HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 17, 2008 IA S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
April 18, 2007 IA S 3371 Firearms for Campus Police Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
March 15, 2006 IA H-8178 Preschool Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
April 25, 2007 IA Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
April 15, 2008 IA S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
March 15, 2006 IA H-8172 Teacher Salary Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 23, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 3)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
April 23, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 13, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2007 IA SF 61 Harassment In Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 42)
March 12, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 16, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
May 3, 2006 IA SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2007 IA SF 61 Harassment In Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
Feb. 22, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 7, 2007 IA SF 61 Harassment In Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
April 24, 2009 IA SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 5, 2007 IA SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
April 25, 2009 IA SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 25, 2007 IA HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
March 16, 2006 IA HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 27, 2007 IA HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
April 17, 2008 IA SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
Jan. 30, 2007 IA SF 61 Harassment In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2009 IA HF 333 Wage Standards for Public Project Workers Bill Failed - House (49 - 49)
March 28, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 19, 2007 IA SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2006 IA HF 2045 Senior Citizen Tax Revision Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
March 15, 2006 IA HF 2527 2006-2007 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (89 - 6)
March 7, 2006 IA HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
April 10, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 18, 2007 IA SF 263 Land-Based Casinos Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 24, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 14, 2006 IA SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 22, 2006 IA HF 2597 Voter Identification Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
March 23, 2011 IA HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Jan. 29, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
March 13, 2006 IA SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
March 19, 2008 IA SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
March 16, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
Feb. 1, 2007 IA HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - House (84 - 12)
Sept. 7, 2011 IA H 111 TEST
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
March 7, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 16, 2008 IA HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
April 2, 2007 IA SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 15, 2008 IA SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 27, 2007 IA HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
March 29, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
March 13, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
April 18, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
March 5, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 19, 2007 IA HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 20, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 8, 2007 IA SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 21, 2006 IA HF 2709 School Year Minimum Hours Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 604 Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 10, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 24, 2007 IA HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
March 19, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
May 3, 2006 IA SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Bill Passed - House (66 - 25)
March 26, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2009 IA HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 20, 2007 IA HF 653 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/14 HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 8)
7/14 HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/17 S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
4/18 S 3371 Firearms for Campus Police Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25)
3/15 H-8178 Preschool Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
4/25 Prohibiting State Funding of Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 13)
4/15 S 5355 to SF 2420 State Funding of Road Projects Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
3/15 H-8172 Teacher Salary Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 51)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
4/25 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/23 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 3)
4/19 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
4/23 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/13 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/22 SF 61 Harassment In Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 42)
3/12 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/25 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/16 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
5/03 SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/13 SF 61 Harassment In Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
2/27 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/18 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/18 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
2/22 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/07 SF 61 Harassment In Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
4/24 SF 376 Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/05 SF 277 Teacher Pay and Incentive Programs Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
4/25 SF 477 Appropriation Bonds Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/25 HF 909 2007-2008 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/25 SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/16 HF 2671 Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/27 HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
2/26 HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
4/17 SF 2425 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
1/30 SF 61 Harassment In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/19 HF 333 Wage Standards for Public Project Workers Bill Failed - House (49 - 49)
3/28 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
4/18 SF 588 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/19 SF 599 Iowa Power Fund Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/31 HF 2045 Senior Citizen Tax Revision Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
3/15 HF 2527 2006-2007 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (89 - 6)
3/07 HF 2558 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
4/10 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/18 SF 263 Land-Based Casinos Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/24 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
2/14 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/14 SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/22 HF 2597 Voter Identification Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/23 HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
1/29 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
3/13 SF 2330 Prohibition of Video Gambling Machines Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
3/19 SJR 2002 Natural Resources Trust Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
3/16 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
2/01 HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - House (84 - 12)
9/07 H 111 TEST
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/16 HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
4/02 SF 485 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/15 SF 2420 Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/27 HF 920 Univeristy Capital Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
3/29 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
3/13 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
4/18 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
3/05 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/19 HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/20 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/08 SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/21 HF 2709 School Year Minimum Hours Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
4/25 SF 604 Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/10 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/24 HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
3/19 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
5/03 SF 2377 Confinement Feeding Operations Bill Passed - House (66 - 25)
3/26 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/18 HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/20 HF 653 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)

Page 1 of 6
arrow_upward