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
May 2, 2017 National HR 1180 Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
May 2, 2017 WI SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 2, 2017 WI SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 1, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
April 27, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
April 27, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
April 27, 2017 TX SB 4 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
April 26, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 26, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
April 26, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
April 26, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
April 26, 2017 IL HB 2462 Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History Bill Passed - House (91 - 24)
April 25, 2017 IL HB 40 Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions Bill Passed - House (62 - 55)
April 25, 2017 NY S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
April 25, 2017 NV AB 249 Requires Insurance Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - House (40 - 2)
April 25, 2017 NV SB 122 Provides Funding and Regulations Related to Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 24, 2017 NC S 68 Establishes Bipartisan Elections and Ethics Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 24, 2017 TX SB 260 Amends Regulations Related to Immigration and Refugee Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 20, 2017 MN HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
April 12, 2017 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 11, 2017 HI SB 501 Requires Certain Disclosures from Limited Service Pregnancy Centers (41 - 10)
April 11, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 11, 2017 AL SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 11, 2017 TX SB 75 Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 11, 2017 TX SB 75 Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 7, 2017 WV SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49)
April 7, 2017 WV SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49)
April 7, 2017 WV HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 39)
April 7, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
April 6, 2017 WV HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 6, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
April 5, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34)
April 5, 2017 WI SB 76 Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 4, 2017 AL SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
April 3, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 30, 2017 NC HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 30, 2017 NC HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 30, 2017 MO HB 104 Repeals Prevailing Wage Requirements for Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (89 - 60)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 13 Amends Provisions Regarding Payroll Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 25, 2017 MT SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 24, 2017 MD SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 23, 2017 NJ S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 23, 2017 NJ A 4243 Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
March 21, 2017 MS SB 2710 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
March 21, 2017 TX SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 17, 2017 NM HB 241 Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31)
March 17, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
March 16, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
March 16, 2017 National HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
March 16, 2017 AL HB 24 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (60 - 14)
March 16, 2017 National HR 1259 VA Accountability First Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 178)
March 15, 2017 NM SB 121 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (44 - 23)
March 15, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 15, 2017 TX SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 13, 2017 NJ A 3091 Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
March 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 8, 2017 NC H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
March 2, 2017 MO SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 2, 2017 WV HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
March 1, 2017 National HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
March 1, 2017 National HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2017 WV SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act (23 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2017 WV SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 23, 2017 MO HB 288 Requires Term of Unemployment Benefits be Pegged to Unemployment Rate Bill Passed - House (100 - 56)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/02 HR 1180 Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
5/02 SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/02 SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/01 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
4/27 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
4/27 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
4/27 SB 4 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
4/26 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
4/26 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
4/26 HB 2462 Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History Bill Passed - House (91 - 24)
4/25 HB 40 Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions Bill Passed - House (62 - 55)
4/25 S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
4/25 AB 249 Requires Insurance Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - House (40 - 2)
4/25 SB 122 Provides Funding and Regulations Related to Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/24 S 68 Establishes Bipartisan Elections and Ethics Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/24 SB 260 Amends Regulations Related to Immigration and Refugee Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/20 HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
4/12 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/11 SB 501 Requires Certain Disclosures from Limited Service Pregnancy Centers (41 - 10)
4/11 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/11 SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/11 SB 75 Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/11 SB 75 Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/07 SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49)
4/07 SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49)
4/07 HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 39)
4/07 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
4/06 HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/06 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
4/05 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34)
4/05 SB 76 Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/04 SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
4/03 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/30 HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/30 HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/30 HB 104 Repeals Prevailing Wage Requirements for Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (89 - 60)
3/30 SB 13 Amends Provisions Regarding Payroll Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/27 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/27 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/25 SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/24 SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/23 S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/23 A 4243 Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
3/21 SB 2710 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
3/21 SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/17 HB 241 Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31)
3/17 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
3/16 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
3/16 HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
3/16 HB 24 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (60 - 14)
3/16 HR 1259 VA Accountability First Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 178)
3/15 SB 121 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (44 - 23)
3/15 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/15 SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/13 A 3091 Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/09 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/08 H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/02 SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/02 HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
3/01 HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
3/01 HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
2/28 SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/27 SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act (23 - 11)
2/27 SB 330 Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act (23 - 11)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/23 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/23 HB 288 Requires Term of Unemployment Benefits be Pegged to Unemployment Rate Bill Passed - House (100 - 56)

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