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 7, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
March 7, 2018 NH HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
March 6, 2018 OK HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
March 6, 2018 OK HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
March 5, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 2, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 1, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 1, 2018 MS HB 1479 Amends Bail License Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
March 1, 2018 AL HB 14 Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 42)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Feb. 27, 2018 IN HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2018 IN HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2018 NJ S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Feb. 22, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2018 WA SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2018 WA SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 KY HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
Feb. 15, 2018 AL HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2018 National HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
Feb. 14, 2018 SD HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
Feb. 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
Feb. 2, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
Jan. 25, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 CA AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 6001 Repeals Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (83 - 18)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 3, 2018 NH HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Dec. 14, 2017 National HR 4324 Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 167)
Dec. 6, 2017 National HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Oct. 26, 2017 MA S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 26, 2017 National HR 1698 Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
Oct. 26, 2017 IL HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 3898 Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
Oct. 11, 2017 OH HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Oct. 11, 2017 MA Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
Sept. 28, 2017 National HR 2792 Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA SB 394 Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Sept. 11, 2017 CA AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
July 27, 2017 National HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/07 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
3/07 HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
3/07 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/07 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/06 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
3/06 HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
3/06 HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
3/05 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/03 HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/02 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/01 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/01 HB 1479 Amends Bail License Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
3/01 HB 14 Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 42)
2/28 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/28 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
2/28 HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
2/27 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
2/27 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/27 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/27 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/26 S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/23 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/22 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/22 SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/22 SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/16 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/15 HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
2/15 HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
2/15 HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
2/14 HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
2/12 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/08 HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
2/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
2/02 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
1/25 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
1/19 SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
1/12 HB 6001 Repeals Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (83 - 18)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/03 HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
12/14 HR 4324 Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 167)
12/06 HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
11/08 SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/08 SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/07 SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
11/07 SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
10/26 S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/26 HR 1698 Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
10/26 HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
10/24 HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
10/24 HR 3898 Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
10/11 HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
10/11 Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
9/28 HR 2792 Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
9/15 SB 394 Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
9/15 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
9/11 AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
7/27 HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)

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