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
Sept. 29, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 5092 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bill Passed - House (277 - 131)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
Sept. 14, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (283 - 138)
Sept. 13, 2006 National HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
Sept. 7, 2006 National HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 352 Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns Concurrence Vote Failed - House (40 - 37)
Aug. 24, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 21, 2006 CA SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
Aug. 21, 2006 CA SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
July 25, 2006 NC HB 1323 Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28)
July 20, 2006 NC HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
July 19, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
July 18, 2006 National H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
July 12, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
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 10, 2006 CO HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
July 8, 2006 CO HB 1023 Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
June 29, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
June 29, 2006 National HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 29, 2006 DE SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 29, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
June 28, 2006 PA A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
June 28, 2006 National H Amdt 1156 Trigger Lock Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 191)
June 28, 2006 DE HB 537 Crop Damage Levels Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
June 21, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 5)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
June 14, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
June 12, 2006 PA HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
May 31, 2006 SC S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
May 31, 2006 SC S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
May 31, 2006 CA AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman Bill Passed - House (85 - 17)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 25, 2006 SC Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
May 25, 2006 OH Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 25, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
May 25, 2006 SC S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
May 25, 2006 SC S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
May 25, 2006 SC S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
May 22, 2006 CA AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
May 18, 2006 MI Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
May 18, 2006 LA HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 16, 2006 MI HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
May 15, 2006 LA HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
May 12, 2006 MO SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
May 11, 2006 TN SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
May 11, 2006 TN SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
May 10, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
May 10, 2006 SC H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
May 9, 2006 RI H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
May 8, 2006 NY A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
May 8, 2006 NY A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
May 8, 2006 NY A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
May 5, 2006 VT H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
May 5, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 4, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
May 4, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
May 4, 2006 CO SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/29 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
9/26 HR 5092 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bill Passed - House (277 - 131)
9/26 HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
9/14 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (283 - 138)
9/13 HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
9/07 HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
8/31 SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
8/31 SB 1578 Dog Restraint Regulations Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
8/30 AB 352 Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns Concurrence Vote Failed - House (40 - 37)
8/24 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/21 SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
8/21 SB 1437 Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
7/25 HB 1323 Establishment of NC Innocence Inquiry Commission Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 28)
7/20 HB 2699 Early Childhood Vision Care Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 15)
7/19 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
7/18 H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
7/12 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
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)
7/10 HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
7/08 HB 1023 Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
6/29 Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
6/29 HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/29 SB 60 Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/29 Sub for HB 5699 Marital Counseling Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
6/28 A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
6/28 H Amdt 1156 Trigger Lock Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 191)
6/28 HB 537 Crop Damage Levels Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
6/21 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Failed - House (29 - 27)
6/16 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - House (91 - 5)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
6/14 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
6/12 HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
5/31 S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
5/31 S 1267 Death Penalty for Repeat Sex Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 27)
5/31 AB 2076 Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
5/31 AB 3029 CalWorks and Food Stamp Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
5/31 AB 2205 Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients Bill Passed - House (48 - 32)
5/31 SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman Bill Passed - House (85 - 17)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/26 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
5/26 SB 1800 Death Penalty for Second Offender Sex Offenders Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 8)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/25 Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22)
5/25 Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/25 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
5/25 S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
5/25 S 229 Cockfighting And Hog Dog Fighting Bill Passed - House (78 - 15)
5/25 S 1084 Penalties For Harming An Unborn Child/Fetus Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
5/24 HB 1331 TANF Revisions Conference Report Adopted - House (182 - 121)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
5/22 AJR 51 Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27)
5/18 Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
5/18 Amend Probation and Parole Violator Welfare Restriction Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16)
5/18 Amend Welfare Ineligibility Extension Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 47)
5/18 HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/16 HB 5633 English as the Official Language Bill Bill Passed - House (73 - 32)
5/15 HB 1379 Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
5/12 SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
5/11 SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
5/11 SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
5/10 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
5/10 H 4932 South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
5/09 H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
5/08 A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
5/08 A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
5/08 A 8098 Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment Bill Passed - House (81 - 59)
5/05 H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
5/05 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/04 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
5/04 HCS CS SB 20 Offenses Against a Fetus/Unborn Child Bill Passed - House (30 - 9)
5/04 SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)

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