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. 4, 2006 NJ S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 13, 2006 National S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
July 19, 2006 NC HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 CO HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
July 8, 2006 NJ S 2007 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
July 1, 2006 PA HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
June 27, 2006 CA AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
June 27, 2006 National S J Res 12 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
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 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
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 14, 2006 SC H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
June 14, 2006 SC H 4810 2006-2007 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 7, 2006 National S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
June 1, 2006 AZ HB 2876 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
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 27, 2006 TN SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
May 25, 2006 AZ HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
May 25, 2006 NC SB 1741 Fiscal Budget of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
May 25, 2006 AZ SB 1576 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 MA Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 24, 2006 UT 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
May 23, 2006 OH Sub SB 321 Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 23, 2006 VA HB 5002 2006-2008 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 22, 2006 ME LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 22, 2006 AK CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
May 20, 2006 MN HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
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 TN SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
May 12, 2006 TX CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
May 11, 2006 MO SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 10, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
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 AK SB 231 2006-2007 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
May 9, 2006 AK SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
May 9, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2006 LA SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 9, 2006 MN HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
May 7, 2006 AK SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
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 WI SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
May 4, 2006 IL SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 4, 2006 IL HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 4, 2006 WI SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
May 4, 2006 NH HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
May 3, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1149 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 2, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 1, 2006 KS HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
May 1, 2006 CO SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 28, 2006 ME LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 28, 2006 ME HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
April 27, 2006 CT LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
April 27, 2006 CT LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
April 27, 2006 KS SCS SB 584 School Finance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 26, 2006 OK HB 2351 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 26, 2006 FL HB 209 Intangible Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 25, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/04 S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
9/13 S Amdt 4936 National Security Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 57)
8/16 SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/16 SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
7/19 HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
7/08 A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
7/08 S 2007 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
7/01 HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
6/27 AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
6/27 S J Res 12 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
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)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
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)
6/14 H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
6/14 H 4810 2006-2007 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/07 S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
6/01 HB 2876 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
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)
5/27 SB 3178 State Legislator’s Pension Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8)
5/25 HB 2577 Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9)
5/25 SB 1741 Fiscal Budget of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
5/25 SB 1576 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
5/24 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/24 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
5/23 Sub SB 321 Limits on Local and State Spending/Tobacco Budget Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/23 HB 5002 2006-2008 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/22 LD 1481 Procedures for Citizen Proposed Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/22 CSSB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
5/20 HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
5/18 S 1471 Cigarette Tax Securitization Proceeds Fund; Stem Cell and Biomedical Research Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/17 SA 1505 Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
5/12 CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
5/11 SA 1 Restrictions on salaries and state pensions for public officials Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/11 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 HJR 55 Salaries and State Pensions for Public Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/10 HB 2583 Machinery Tax Exemptions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/10 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/09 SB 549 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Department of Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
5/09 SB 231 2006-2007 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
5/09 SB 305 Oil and Gas Production Tax Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (10 - 10)
5/09 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 SB 655 Remediation for Oil and Gas Sites Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/09 HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
5/07 SCS CS HB 334 Additional Religious Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
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 SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
5/04 SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/04 AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/04 HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
5/04 SB 1689 Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/04 SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
5/04 HB 76 Charter School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 8)
5/04 AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
5/04 SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
5/03 HB 1090 Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17)
5/03 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/03 HB 1149 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/03 HB 1315 Juvenile Criminal Parole Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/02 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/01 HB 2554 DNA Sampling in Felony Cases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
5/01 SB 234 Public Construction Bidding Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/28 LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/28 HCA C to LD 1717 Sentencing Requirements for Certain Sex Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
4/27 LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
4/27 LCO # 4811 Chief Justice Powers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 13)
4/27 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
4/27 SCS SB 584 School Finance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/26 HB 2351 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/26 HB 209 Intangible Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/25 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)

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