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)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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. 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 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
July 19, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
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 NC HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
July 14, 2006 IA HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
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 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 CO HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 21, 2006 NY S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
June 15, 2006 MD HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
June 14, 2006 SC H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 13, 2006 NY S 6771 Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
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 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2006 CA SB 1383 Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 27, 2006 TN SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
May 25, 2006 KS SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
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 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 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
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 - Senate (16 - 17)
May 24, 2006 National S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
May 24, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
May 24, 2006 OH SCS HCS HB 115 Educational Regional Service System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
May 23, 2006 National S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 652 Cockfighting Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 23, 2006 MI Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 23, 2006 LA SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
May 22, 2006 ME LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
May 18, 2006 National S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
May 18, 2006 OK SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 17, 2006 National S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
May 17, 2006 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 16, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 16, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 11, 2006 MO SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 11, 2006 MO HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 11, 2006 CA AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 11, 2006 CA SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
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 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 9, 2006 KS SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 7, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 7, 2006 AK SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 5, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
May 5, 2006 CO HB 1283 Required School Expenditures Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
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 NH HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
May 4, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
9/29 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 19)
9/13 S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
8/31 SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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)
8/30 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 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/16 AB 1873 Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
8/16 SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/02 S Amdt 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
7/19 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
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 HB 2873 Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
7/14 HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 S Amdt 4659 Double-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (29 - 71)
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 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/21 S 8446 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
6/15 HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
6/14 H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/13 S 6771 Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Bill Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
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 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 SB 1576 Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/30 SB 1796 Overhaul Flood and Levee Board Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 SB 1383 Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/27 SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
5/25 SB 528 Abortion and Live Birth Reporting Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
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 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 S 2611 Immigration Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
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 - Senate (16 - 17)
5/24 S Amdt 4095 H-2C Visa Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
5/24 Am Sub SB 185 Mortgage Lending Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
5/24 SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
5/24 SCS HCS HB 115 Educational Regional Service System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
5/23 S Amdt 4087 Orange Card Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 61)
5/23 S Amdt 4177 Employer Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 39)
5/23 SB 652 Cockfighting Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/23 Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/23 SB 347 Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
5/22 LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
5/18 S Amdt 4064 English As National Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 35)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 "State Criminal Alien Assistance Program" Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
5/18 S Amdt 4073 English as Unifying Language Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 39)
5/18 SB 1742 Abortion Information Requirements and Changes to the Definition of Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/17 S Amdt 3965 Employment-based Immigrant Visa Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/16 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/16 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/11 SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/11 HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/11 AB 813 Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/11 SB 1437 Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
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)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/07 HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/07 SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/05 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
5/05 HB 1283 Required School Expenditures Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
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 HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
5/04 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/04 SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)

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