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. 6, 2006 National PN 2191 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 5441 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 6)
Sept. 29, 2006 National HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (231 - 181)
Sept. 29, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
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 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 27, 2006 National HR 6166 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (253 - 168)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 5631 Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (394 - 22)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
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. 13, 2006 National HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
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. 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 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
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. 29, 2006 CA SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 28)
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 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 24, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 22, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Aug. 21, 2006 CA SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
July 27, 2006 National HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
July 26, 2006 National HR 5682 U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (359 - 68)
July 20, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
July 20, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
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 - House (90 - 8)
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 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 12, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
July 12, 2006 National HR 2990 Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 166)
July 11, 2006 National H Amdt 1179 Online Gambling Ban Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 297)
July 11, 2006 National HR 4411 Internet Gambling Bill Bill Passed - House (317 - 93)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 6, 2006 NC SB 774 Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 44)
July 1, 2006 DE SB 397 State Resource Maps Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
June 29, 2006 PA HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
June 29, 2006 CA SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
June 29, 2006 CA SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 28, 2006 DE HB 537 Crop Damage Levels Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
June 23, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
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 HR 5638 Death/Estate Tax Amendment Bill Passed - House (269 - 156)
June 22, 2006 NJ A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
June 20, 2006 National HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
June 19, 2006 RI Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
June 19, 2006 RI LCO # 2167/2 Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39)
June 19, 2006 RI LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A Education Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47)
June 18, 2006 LA HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 158 Speed Limit Bill Bill Failed - House (51 - 42)
June 16, 2006 National H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
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 LA SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
June 15, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - House (109 - 26)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
June 14, 2006 LA Amendment #B-635 Ethanol Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
June 14, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
June 14, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
June 14, 2006 LA SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
June 14, 2006 LA SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
June 14, 2006 National HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
June 14, 2006 National HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
June 13, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
June 13, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
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 Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
June 8, 2006 MI Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
June 8, 2006 DE HB 191 Young Drivers’ Time Restrictions Bill Failed - House (10 - 26)
June 8, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
June 7, 2006 LA HB 94 Daylight Savings Bill Bill Failed - House (37 - 61)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 7, 2006 MI Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
12/06 PN 2191 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
9/29 HR 5441 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 6)
9/29 HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (231 - 181)
9/29 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
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 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/27 HR 6166 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (253 - 168)
9/26 HR 5631 Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007 Conference Report Adopted - House (394 - 22)
9/26 HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
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)
9/13 HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
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)
8/31 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 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
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 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
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)
8/29 SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 28)
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 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/24 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/22 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
8/21 SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
7/27 HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
7/26 HR 5682 U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (359 - 68)
7/20 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
7/20 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
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 - House (90 - 8)
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)
7/12 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)
7/12 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
7/12 HR 2990 Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 166)
7/11 H Amdt 1179 Online Gambling Ban Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 297)
7/11 HR 4411 Internet Gambling Bill Bill Passed - House (317 - 93)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/06 SB 774 Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 44)
7/01 SB 397 State Resource Maps Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
6/29 HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
6/29 SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
6/29 SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/28 HB 537 Crop Damage Levels Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
6/23 SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
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 HR 5638 Death/Estate Tax Amendment Bill Passed - House (269 - 156)
6/22 A 3257 Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
6/20 HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
6/19 Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
6/19 LCO # 2167/2 Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39)
6/19 LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A Education Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47)
6/18 HCR 127 Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/16 SB 158 Speed Limit Bill Bill Failed - House (51 - 42)
6/16 H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
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 SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
6/15 SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - House (109 - 26)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
6/14 Amendment #B-635 Ethanol Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
6/14 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
6/14 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
6/14 SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
6/14 SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
6/14 HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
6/14 HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
6/14 SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
6/13 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
6/13 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
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 Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
6/08 Sub for SB 861 Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Act Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
6/08 HB 191 Young Drivers’ Time Restrictions Bill Failed - House (10 - 26)
6/08 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
6/07 HB 94 Daylight Savings Bill Bill Failed - House (37 - 61)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/07 Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)

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