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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
| April 7, 2017 | WV | HB 2646 | Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 39) |
| April 6, 2017 | KS | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| April 6, 2017 | WV | HB 2646 | Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| April 6, 2017 | AK | HB 57 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 6, 2017 | IL | HB 109 | Establishes Stopgap Budget | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 6, 2017 | WA | SB 5893 | Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| April 5, 2017 | HI | SB 1183 | Authorizes Use of Property Taxes to Fund Rail Project | Bill Passed - House (11 - 6) |
| April 4, 2017 | IN | HB 1384 | Expands Indiana's Voucher Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (144 - 84) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| April 3, 2017 | AR | SB 140 | Requires Internet Retailers to Collect State Sales Tax | Bill Failed - House (43 - 50) |
| March 31, 2017 | CO | HB 1242 | Increases State Sales Tax | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 30, 2017 | MT | SB 354 | Raises Cigarette Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 29, 2017 | OH | HB 26 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| March 27, 2017 | ID | H 67 | Repeals Grocery Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| March 24, 2017 | MD | SB 1081 | Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | HB 7007 | Authorizes Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (77 - 37) |
| March 23, 2017 | WA | SB 5048 | Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 23, 2017 | WA | SB 5048 | Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 23, 2017 | WA | SB 5048 | Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 22, 2017 | ID | H 67 | Repeals Grocery Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 20, 2017 | AK | HB 57 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (22 - 17) |
| March 16, 2017 | NJ | S 3048 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| March 15, 2017 | HI | HB 100 | Establishes the Budget for 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (50 - 0) |
| March 13, 2017 | OK | SB 170 | Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6) |
| March 13, 2017 | NJ | S 3048 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 2, 2017 | WV | HB 2646 | Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| March 1, 2017 | SC | H 3516 | Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure | Bill Passed - House (97 - 18) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | AR | SB 140 | Requires Internet Retailers to Collect State Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Feb. 2, 2017 | KS | SB 30 | Establishes Tax Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| Jan. 27, 2017 | VT | HB 125 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (141 - 0) |
| Jan. 17, 2017 | NY | S 362 | Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18) |
| Jan. 16, 2017 | WY | HB 19 | Requires Online Retailers to Collect Sales Tax on Purchases | Bill Passed - House (45 - 14) |
| Jan. 12, 2017 | National | S Con Res 3 | A Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2017 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2018 Through 2026 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48) |
| Oct. 7, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| Oct. 7, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 5325 | Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 5325 | Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act | Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 1889 | Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
| Aug. 26, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | AB 1889 | Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Bill Passed - House (53 - 23) |
| June 23, 2016 | National | HR 2577 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171) |
| June 19, 2016 | LA | HB 38 | Limits Individual Income Tax Deductions | Bill Failed - House (46 - 55) |
| June 18, 2016 | RI | H 7454 | Establishes State Budget for 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| June 16, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| June 16, 2016 | LA | SB 10 | Prohibits Certain Businesses from Receiving 2 Different Tax Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| June 16, 2016 | LA | SB 6 | Amends Tax Credit Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| June 15, 2016 | CA | SB 826 | Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| June 15, 2016 | CA | SB 826 | Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| June 15, 2016 | RI | H 7454 | Establishes State Budget for 2017 | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 9, 2016 | MI | HB 5384 | Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 54) |
| June 8, 2016 | MI | HB 5384 | Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18) |
| June 6, 2016 | AK | HB 247 | Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System | Conference Report Adopted - House (21 - 19) |
| June 6, 2016 | AK | HB 247 | Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 6) |
| June 6, 2016 | AK | SB 128 | Amends Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
| June 3, 2016 | NC | HB 1030 | Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 31, 2016 | IL | SB 2048 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31) |
| May 31, 2016 | IL | SB 2048 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31) |
| May 31, 2016 | SC | S 1258 | Amends Structure and Funding of Department of Transportation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 10) |
| May 26, 2016 | IL | SB 2048 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Bill Passed - House (60 - 53) |
| May 19, 2016 | IL | HB 4167 | Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
| May 17, 2016 | IL | HB 4167 | Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants | Bill Passed - House (68 - 45) |
| May 13, 2016 | AK | HB 247 | Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System | Bill Passed - House (25 - 12) |
| May 10, 2016 | IL | SB 231 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21) |
| May 5, 2016 | AZ | HB 2568 | Authorizes Developers to Levy Property Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26) |
| May 5, 2016 | MN | HF 3467 | Appropriates Bond Proceeds to Public Works | Bill Failed - Senate (40 - 26) |
| May 5, 2016 | AR | HB 1141 | Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| May 4, 2016 | LA | HB 1148 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds | Bill Passed - House (67 - 27) |
| May 1, 2016 | KS | SB 249 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18) |
| May 1, 2016 | KS | SB 249 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 59) |
| April 28, 2016 | AL | SB 287 | Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities | Bill Passed - House (52 - 33) |
| April 27, 2016 | MN | HF 3931 | Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2017 | Bill Passed - House (72 - 54) |
| April 25, 2016 | MN | HF 2749 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - House (84 - 46) |
| April 22, 2016 | IA | HF 2460 | Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 22, 2016 | IA | HF 2459 | Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| April 21, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| April 21, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 21) |
| April 21, 2016 | IL | HB 696 | Repeals Property Tax in Non-Home Rule Communities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| April 20, 2016 | IA | HF 2460 | Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| April 19, 2016 | IA | SF 2323 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 19, 2016 | IA | HF 2459 | Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| April 18, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Bill Passed - House (66 - 22) |
| April 14, 2016 | AR | SB 121 | Appropriates Funds to Department of Human Services | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| April 11, 2016 | MD | SB 1112 | Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses | Bill Passed - House (76 - 57) |
| April 8, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| April 8, 2016 | MD | SB 1112 | Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 52) |