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
March 14, 2019 NH SB 311 Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 14, 2019 CO SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
March 13, 2019 OH SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 11, 2019 MO HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
March 10, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 8, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 7, 2019 TN HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
March 7, 2019 IL SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 7, 2019 MN HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
March 6, 2019 UT SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2019 ID H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2019 MT HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2019 NH HB 696 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (219 - 156)
Feb. 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
Feb. 26, 2019 GA SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2019 UT HB 40 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
Feb. 22, 2019 KY SB 18 Establishes Employment Protections for Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 21, 2019 IN SB 12 Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - House (41 - 21)
Feb. 19, 2019 CO HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
Feb. 18, 2019 NM HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
Feb. 18, 2019 ND HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
Feb. 15, 2019 CO HB 19-1039 Amends Birth Certificate Regulations Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2019 IL SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
Feb. 14, 2019 NH SB 142 Requires Public Schools Provide Menstrual Products Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2019 NH SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
Feb. 12, 2019 MT HB 146 Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
Feb. 12, 2019 SD HB 1108 Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7 Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2019 IL SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - House (52 - 25)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - House (52 - 25)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ S 1784 Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Jan. 22, 2019 CT HB 5765 Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 20)
Jan. 9, 2019 National HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
Jan. 9, 2019 National HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
Dec. 13, 2018 National S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2018 National PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court (51 - 50)
Dec. 6, 2018 National PN 2170 Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (50 - 49)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Nov. 29, 2018 NC SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
Nov. 29, 2018 National PN 2170 Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Nov. 29, 2018 National PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Nov. 28, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 28, 2018 MI SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 27, 2018 MI SB 795 Amends the Public School Employees Retirement Act of 1979. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/14 SB 311 Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/14 SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
3/13 SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
3/12 SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/11 HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
3/10 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
3/08 HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/08 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/07 HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
3/07 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
3/07 SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/07 HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
3/06 SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/06 SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
3/06 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
3/06 SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/06 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
3/05 SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
2/28 H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
2/28 HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/27 HB 696 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (219 - 156)
2/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
2/26 SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/22 HB 40 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/22 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
2/22 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
2/22 SB 18 Establishes Employment Protections for Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/21 SB 12 Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/19 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - House (41 - 21)
2/19 HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
2/18 HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
2/18 HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
2/15 HB 19-1039 Amends Birth Certificate Regulations Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
2/14 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
2/14 SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
2/14 SB 142 Requires Public Schools Provide Menstrual Products Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
2/14 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
2/12 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
2/12 HB 146 Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
2/12 HB 1108 Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7 Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
2/07 SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - House (52 - 25)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - House (52 - 25)
1/31 S 1784 Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
1/22 HB 5765 Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
1/14 S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
1/14 S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 20)
1/09 HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
1/09 HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
12/13 S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
12/11 PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court (51 - 50)
12/06 PN 2170 Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (50 - 49)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
12/04 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
12/04 SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
11/29 SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
11/29 PN 2170 Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
11/29 PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
11/28 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/28 SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/27 SB 795 Amends the Public School Employees Retirement Act of 1979. Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
10/17 SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
10/17 SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)

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