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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 716 | Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - House (79 - 40) |
| May 1, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| April 23, 2013 | PA | HB 818 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (144 - 53) |
| April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 400 | Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs | Bill Passed - House (115 - 39) |
| April 16, 2013 | OK | HB 2015 | Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
| April 11, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| April 9, 2013 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2253 | Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2253 | Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 21) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 2, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Bill Passed - House (70 - 26) |
| March 15, 2013 | ND | HB 1305 | Prohibits Sex and Genetic Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| March 15, 2013 | ND | HB 1456 | Prohibits Abortions if Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17) |
| March 12, 2013 | UT | SB 60 | Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 17) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2015 | Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients | Bill Passed - House (79 - 15) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1361 | Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1588 | Requires Parental Approval Before an Abortion is Performed on a Minor | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
| March 7, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28) |
| March 6, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 33) |
| March 5, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 4, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (72 - 58) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | SD | HB 1237 | Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 142 | Prohibits Civil Action Lawsuits Concerning Abortion Consultation | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Veto Override Passed - House (53 - 28) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 391 | Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | WA | HB 1044 | Requires Health Insurance Plans to Cover Abortions | Bill Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (68 - 20) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | UT | SB 60 | Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | SD | HB 1237 | Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | ND | SB 2303 | Defines a "Human Being" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | ND | SB 2368 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | MS | SB 2795 | Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Prescriptions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| Feb. 8, 2013 | ND | HB 1456 | Prohibits Abortions if Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (63 - 28) |
| Feb. 8, 2013 | ND | HB 1305 | Prohibits Sex and Genetic Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - House (64 - 27) |
| Feb. 8, 2013 | KY | SB 5 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | ND | SB 2305 | Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Have a State License | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1100 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (77 - 15) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | HB 5711 | Increases Requirements on Facilities that Provide Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | HB 5711 | Increases Requirements on Facilities that Provide Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 35) |
| July 31, 2012 | National | HR 3803 | District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act | Bill Failed - House (220 - 154) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Veto Override Passed - House (240 - 118) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | HB 217 | Prohibits Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | Veto Override Failed - House (201 - 126) |
| June 7, 2012 | National | HR 5855 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2013 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 182) |
| May 31, 2012 | LA | SB 708 | Amends Abortion Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| May 31, 2012 | National | HR 3541 | Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (246 - 168) |
| May 30, 2012 | NH | HB 217 | Prohibits Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (210 - 108) |
| May 16, 2012 | NH | HB 217 | Prohibits Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
| May 8, 2012 | AL | SB 10 | Prohibits Insurance from Providing Coverage for Abortions | Bill Passed - House (76 - 28) |
| May 7, 2012 | KS | SB 313 | Prohibits Certain Abortion-Related Tax Credits | Bill Passed - House (88 - 31) |
| April 25, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| April 24, 2012 | TN | HB 3808 | Requires Publication of Abortion Statistics | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 24, 2012 | AZ | HB 2800 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| April 23, 2012 | MN | HF 2341 | Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Drugs In Person | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 25) |
| April 20, 2012 | MN | SF 1921 | Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (80 - 47) |
| April 19, 2012 | OK | SB 1274 | Requires physicians inform abortion patients of fetal heartbeat | Bill Passed - House (75 - 12) |
| April 18, 2012 | MN | HF 2341 | Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Drugs In Person | Bill Passed - House (80 - 48) |
| April 18, 2012 | MN | SF 1921 | Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 23) |
| April 12, 2012 | IA | S 5206 | Prohibits State Funding For Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25) |
| April 10, 2012 | AZ | HB 2036 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| April 10, 2012 | MS | SB 2771 | Expands Penalties for Child Homicide | Bill Passed - House (83 - 34) |
| March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 19) |
| March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 59) |
| March 29, 2012 | TN | HB 3808 | Requires Publication of Abortion Statistics | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| March 29, 2012 | IL | Amendment No. 4 | Requires Physicians to Provide Information About Side Effects of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs | Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 68) |
| March 29, 2012 | NH | HB 1660 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (190 - 109) |
| March 29, 2012 | MO | HB 1541 | Provides Exemptions on Participating in Certain Medical Procedures. | Bill Passed - House (113 - 41) |
| March 28, 2012 | NH | HB 1659 | Requires a 24 Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (185 - 138) |
| March 27, 2012 | AZ | HB 2036 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 26, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| March 26, 2012 | VA | Saslaw Amdt | Requires Reimbursement of the Full Cost of Ultrasounds Required Prior to Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 20) |
| March 19, 2012 | ID | S 1387 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 15, 2012 | MS | HB 790 | Regulates Certain Drugs Used for Abortion | Bill Passed - House (78 - 35) |
| March 14, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Bill Passed - House (224 - 110) |
| March 14, 2012 | MS | HB 1196 | Additional Requirements for Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Bill Passed - House (77 - 37) |
| March 13, 2012 | WI | SB 92 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
| March 13, 2012 | MI | HB 4799 | Prohibits Coercing a Woman into Having an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (72 - 37) |
| March 13, 2012 | MS | HB 1390 | Establishes Additional Requirements for Physicians who Perform Abortions | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| March 7, 2012 | GA | SB 438 | Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18) |
| March 6, 2012 | OK | SB 1274 | Requires physicians inform abortion patients of fetal heartbeat | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| March 5, 2012 | UT | HB 461 | Requires a 72 hour waiting period prior to an abortion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 11) |
| March 5, 2012 | AZ | HB 2800 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| March 1, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| March 1, 2012 | FL | HB 277 | Prohibits Abortions During the Third Trimester | Bill Passed - House (78 - 33) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (102 - 65) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | WI | SB 306 | Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Determine if the Woman's Consent is Voluntary | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | OK | SB 1433 | Defines life as beginning at conception | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | KY | SB 103 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (63 - 36) |