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 27, 2019 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
March 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
March 25, 2019 GA SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - House (104 - 67)
March 20, 2019 NH SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
March 20, 2019 NH HB 397 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to get Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (204 - 137)
March 19, 2019 NH HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
March 19, 2019 ME LD 179 Amends Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
March 14, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
March 14, 2019 NH HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
March 13, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
March 11, 2019 MO HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
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 7, 2019 TN HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
March 6, 2019 UT SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Feb. 28, 2019 MT HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 28, 2019 ID H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
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. 22, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
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 IL SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
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)
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. 14, 2019 NY S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
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. 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. 4, 2018 MI SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Nov. 29, 2018 NC SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
Aug. 30, 2018 ME LD 1920 Amends Expungement Requirements for Records under Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
Aug. 23, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
Aug. 6, 2018 CA SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
July 25, 2018 National HR 6199 Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (277 - 142)
July 13, 2018 National HR 50 Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 168)
July 1, 2018 DE SB 170 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
June 27, 2018 NC HB 717 Amends Judicial Divisions Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
June 27, 2018 National HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
June 27, 2018 OH HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
June 27, 2018 MA H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
June 21, 2018 NJ ACR 180 Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
June 21, 2018 National HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
June 13, 2018 NC HB 659 Specifies Method of Vacancy Filling for US Senators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 39)
June 13, 2018 PA HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
June 7, 2018 OH HB 366 Updates Child Support Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 0)
June 5, 2018 NC SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
May 30, 2018 IL SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - House (66 - 49)
May 30, 2018 CA AB 3080 Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
May 30, 2018 CA AB 2965 Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
May 17, 2018 MO HB 1413 Amends Regulations on Labor Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 62)
May 17, 2018 MO SB 1007 Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
May 16, 2018 NY A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
May 15, 2018 LA SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
May 14, 2018 MO HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
May 11, 2018 MO HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
May 3, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
3/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
3/25 SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - House (104 - 67)
3/20 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
3/20 HB 397 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to get Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (204 - 137)
3/19 HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
3/19 LD 179 Amends Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
3/14 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/14 HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
3/13 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
3/11 HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
3/08 HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/07 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
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)
3/07 HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
3/06 SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
2/28 HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/28 H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
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)
2/22 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
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 SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
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)
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)
1/14 S 1250 Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
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)
12/05 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)
12/04 SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
12/04 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
11/29 SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
10/17 SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)
9/27 A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
8/30 LD 1920 Amends Expungement Requirements for Records under Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
8/23 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
8/06 SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
7/25 HR 6199 Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (277 - 142)
7/13 HR 50 Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 168)
7/01 SB 170 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
6/27 HB 717 Amends Judicial Divisions Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
6/27 HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
6/27 HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
6/27 H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
6/26 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
6/21 ACR 180 Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
6/21 HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
6/21 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
6/13 HB 659 Specifies Method of Vacancy Filling for US Senators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 39)
6/13 HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
6/07 HB 366 Updates Child Support Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 0)
6/05 SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
5/30 SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
5/30 SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - House (66 - 49)
5/30 AB 3080 Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
5/30 AB 2965 Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
5/17 HB 1413 Amends Regulations on Labor Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 62)
5/17 SB 1007 Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
5/16 A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
5/15 SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
5/14 HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
5/11 HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
5/03 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)

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