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
Feb. 22, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2017 GA HB 37 Prohibits State Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Bill Passed - House (112 - 57)
Feb. 22, 2017 SD SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 17, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2017 IA HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2017 IA HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2017 National PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 13, 2017 NJ S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 10, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 10, 2017 National PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
Feb. 8, 2017 National PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 8, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
Feb. 8, 2017 WI SB 3 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2017 National PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
Feb. 7, 2017 National PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 7, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2017 VA SB 1262 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Civil Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 3, 2017 National PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 3, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. (64 - 31)
Feb. 2, 2017 National H J Res 38 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of the Interior Known as the Stream Protection Rule Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 2, 2017 MO SB 19 Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees Bill Passed - House (100 - 59)
Feb. 2, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 180)
Feb. 2, 2017 WY SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2017 National PN 25 Nomination of Rex W. Tillerson to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 1, 2017 National H J Res 38 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of the Interior Known as the Stream Protection Rule Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 194)
Jan. 30, 2017 National PN 25 Nomination of Rex W. Tillerson to be Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
Jan. 26, 2017 MO SB 19 Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 11 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements That Require Employees to Join A Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 11 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements That Require Employees to Join A Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Jan. 10, 2017 ND SB 2043 Amends Marriage Definition and Terminology Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 31)
Jan. 5, 2017 National HR 26 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
Jan. 5, 2017 National HR 26 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
Jan. 4, 2017 National HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
Jan. 4, 2017 National HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
Sept. 14, 2016 National HR 5620 VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (310 - 116)
July 6, 2016 National S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
June 28, 2016 NC HB 100 Rescinds Certain Funds from Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
June 23, 2016 National HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171)
June 2, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 1, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
May 31, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
May 25, 2016 OH HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2016 National H Amdt 1128 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195)
May 24, 2016 LA SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 19, 2016 National H Amdt 1079 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213)
May 12, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 12, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 9, 2016 CA AB 1732 Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
May 5, 2016 AZ SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (29 - 31)
May 4, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 47)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
May 4, 2016 LA HB 1148 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 4, 2016 LA HB 453 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
April 26, 2016 MO HB 1679 Authorizes Pharmacists to Prescribe Oral Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (97 - 50)
April 20, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 20, 2016 CT SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 19, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 18, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
April 9, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33)
April 9, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 7, 2016 AK HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
April 4, 2016 LA SB 25 Authorizes Legislature to Introduce Fiscal Bills Every Year Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
March 30, 2016 MS HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/22 HB 37 Prohibits State Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Bill Passed - House (112 - 57)
2/22 SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/17 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/16 HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/16 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
2/16 HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
2/15 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
2/13 S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/10 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/10 PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
2/08 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/08 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
2/08 SB 3 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/07 PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
2/07 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/07 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/06 SB 1262 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Civil Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/03 PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 48)
2/03 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. (64 - 31)
2/02 H J Res 38 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of the Interior Known as the Stream Protection Rule Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (54 - 45)
2/02 SB 19 Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees Bill Passed - House (100 - 59)
2/02 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 180)
2/02 SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
2/01 PN 25 Nomination of Rex W. Tillerson to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/01 H J Res 38 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of the Interior Known as the Stream Protection Rule Joint Resolution Passed - House (228 - 194)
1/30 PN 25 Nomination of Rex W. Tillerson to be Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
1/26 SB 19 Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/19 SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 11 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements That Require Employees to Join A Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/19 SB 11 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements That Require Employees to Join A Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/10 SB 2043 Amends Marriage Definition and Terminology Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 31)
1/05 HR 26 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
1/05 HR 26 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
1/04 HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
1/04 HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
9/14 HR 5620 VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (310 - 116)
7/06 S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
6/28 HB 100 Rescinds Certain Funds from Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
6/23 HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171)
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/01 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
5/31 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
5/25 HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 H Amdt 1128 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195)
5/24 SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/19 H Amdt 1079 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213)
5/12 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/12 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/09 AB 1732 Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
5/05 SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (29 - 31)
5/04 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 47)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
5/04 SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (28 - 32)
5/04 HB 1148 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/04 HB 453 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
4/26 HB 1679 Authorizes Pharmacists to Prescribe Oral Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (97 - 50)
4/20 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/20 SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/18 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/13 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
4/09 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33)
4/09 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33)
4/07 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/07 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/07 HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
4/04 SB 25 Authorizes Legislature to Introduce Fiscal Bills Every Year Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
3/30 HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)

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