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 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 19, 2018 MD SB 877 Authorizes Corporate Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
March 14, 2018 National S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
March 14, 2018 National S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4007 Establishes Tax Sheltered Home Buyer Savings Accounts and Increases Document-Recording Fees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2018 KS SB 405 Authorizes Confined Feeding Facilities Within City Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Feb. 15, 2018 NM HB 79 Authorizes Sale of Goods Without Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2018 VT S 40 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2018 GA SB 17 Authorizes Restaurants to Sell Alcohol Earlier on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2018 VA SB 966 Amends Various Utilities Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 5, 2018 MS SB 2929 Amends Definition of Guaranteed Asset Protection Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
Feb. 2, 2018 VT S 289 Requires Internet Providers Compliance with State Net Neutrality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Jan. 31, 2018 MS SB 2570 Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Oct. 24, 2017 National H J Res 111 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 6, 2017 OR SB 754 Raises Tobacco Sales Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 30, 2017 WA SB 5975 Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
June 29, 2017 DE HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
June 7, 2017 ME LD 56 Authorizes Refunds for 50-Milliliter Bottles of Wine and Spirits Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
June 6, 2017 KS SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
June 1, 2017 NC SB 155 Authorizes Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
May 24, 2017 OK SB 845 Establishes a Fee for Cigarette Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
May 17, 2017 IL SB 7 Establishes Gambling Industry Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
May 10, 2017 IL SB 1351 Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
May 2, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
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)
May 1, 2017 OR SB 95 Establishes Penalties for Exploiting the Elderly or Disabled Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 17, 2017 AZ SB 1406 Limits Applicability of Disability Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 13, 2017 MT SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 12, 2017 CO SB 192 Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 11, 2017 WA HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 7, 2017 KS SB 70 Amends Ride Inspection Laws for Amusement Parks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 30, 2017 NC HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 30, 2017 MT SB 354 Raises Cigarette Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 23, 2017 ID H 139 Reduces the Number of Training Hours Required for Cosmetologists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 21, 2017 IA SF 489 Authorizes the Sale of Consumer Fireworks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 2, 2017 KS SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 7, 2016 National S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
June 29, 2016 National S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)
June 17, 2016 RI S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
May 25, 2016 OH HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2016 OH SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 24, 2016 National H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/19 SB 877 Authorizes Corporate Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
3/14 S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
3/14 S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
3/03 HB 4007 Establishes Tax Sheltered Home Buyer Savings Accounts and Increases Document-Recording Fees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/22 SB 405 Authorizes Confined Feeding Facilities Within City Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
2/15 HB 79 Authorizes Sale of Goods Without Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 20)
2/15 S 40 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/13 SB 17 Authorizes Restaurants to Sell Alcohol Earlier on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
2/09 SB 966 Amends Various Utilities Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/05 SB 2929 Amends Definition of Guaranteed Asset Protection Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
2/02 S 289 Requires Internet Providers Compliance with State Net Neutrality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
1/31 SB 2570 Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
10/24 H J Res 111 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/06 SB 754 Raises Tobacco Sales Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/30 SB 5975 Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
6/29 HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
6/07 LD 56 Authorizes Refunds for 50-Milliliter Bottles of Wine and Spirits Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
6/06 SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
6/01 SB 155 Authorizes Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
5/24 SB 845 Establishes a Fee for Cigarette Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
5/17 SB 7 Establishes Gambling Industry Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
5/10 SB 1351 Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/02 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
5/01 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
5/01 SB 95 Establishes Penalties for Exploiting the Elderly or Disabled Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/17 SB 1406 Limits Applicability of Disability Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/13 SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/12 SB 192 Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/11 HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/07 SB 70 Amends Ride Inspection Laws for Amusement Parks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/30 HB 142 Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/30 SB 354 Raises Cigarette Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/23 H 139 Reduces the Number of Training Hours Required for Cosmetologists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/21 SF 489 Authorizes the Sale of Consumer Fireworks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/02 SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/14 HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
8/31 SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/07 S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
6/29 S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)
6/17 S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
5/25 HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/24 H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/04 SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)

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