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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 11, 2024 IL SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
July 1, 2022 MI HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 1, 2022 MI HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
March 28, 2022 National HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 28)
June 8, 2021 National S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
June 7, 2018 MA H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
April 19, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
April 18, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
July 7, 2016 National S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
March 2, 2015 NM SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 2, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
April 23, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
March 12, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
March 25, 2013 SD SB 115 Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 21, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2011 IN SB 192 Authorizing a Study of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 29, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1044 Prohibiting Human Cloning Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 26, 2010 ID S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
March 12, 2009 GA SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
June 12, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
April 23, 2008 FL SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
June 21, 2007 National HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
April 11, 2007 National S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
April 11, 2007 National S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
March 29, 2007 DE SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2007 IL SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2007 IA SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
July 18, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
May 18, 2006 NJ S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 11, 2006 NH SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
April 11, 2006 AZ HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Jan. 3, 2006 RI H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Nov. 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 15, 1999 National HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
July 7, 1998 National S Amdt 3062 Space Station Termination Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66)
May 18, 1998 National S 1723 Non-Immigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
May 12, 1998 National S 1150 Agricultural Research bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
Feb. 11, 1998 National S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
Aug. 10, 1995 National S Amdt 2401 Space-Based Laser Program Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (57 - 41)
March 16, 1994 National HR 820 National Competitiveness Act of 1993 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 40)
Sept. 22, 1993 National S Amdt 910 Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Sept. 22, 1993 National HR 2491 Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
7/01 HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/01 HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
3/28 HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 28)
6/08 S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
6/07 H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
4/19 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
4/18 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
7/07 S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
3/02 SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/02 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
4/23 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
3/12 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
3/25 SB 115 Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/27 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/21 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/22 SB 192 Authorizing a Study of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/29 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/01 SCR 1044 Prohibiting Human Cloning Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/26 S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
3/12 SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/19 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
6/12 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
4/23 SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/14 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/16 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
6/21 HR 6 Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
4/11 S 30 Stem Cell Research Hope Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 28)
4/11 S 5 Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
3/29 SB 5 Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/20 SB 148 Umbilical Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
2/23 SB 4 Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 23)
2/14 SF 162 Stem Cell Research and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
7/18 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 37)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/11 SCR 6 Stem Cell Research Resolution Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
4/11 HB 2142 Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
1/03 H 6052 Sub. A Medical Marijuana Bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
11/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
10/15 HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
7/07 S Amdt 3062 Space Station Termination Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66)
5/18 S 1723 Non-Immigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
5/12 S 1150 Agricultural Research bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
2/11 S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
8/10 S Amdt 2401 Space-Based Laser Program Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (57 - 41)
3/16 HR 820 National Competitiveness Act of 1993 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 40)
9/22 S Amdt 910 Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
9/22 HR 2491 Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 9)

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