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 23, 2017 FL SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 9, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 8, 2017 MN HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
March 7, 2017 KY HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 6, 2017 KY SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 4, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 2, 2017 MS HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2017 MO SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2017 NH SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
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. 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. 8, 2017 National PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 7, 2017 National PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 2, 2017 WY SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2017 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2017 MS SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2017 MS SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Jan. 23, 2017 VA SB 1055 Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 26 Reduces Penalty for Non-Violent Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
Sept. 28, 2016 National S 2040 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 16, 2016 CA AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
July 6, 2016 National S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
June 30, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 27, 2016 NJ A 3689 Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 27, 2016 NJ S 51 Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/23 SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/09 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/08 HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
3/07 HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/06 SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/04 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/02 HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/22 SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/22 SB 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/16 SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
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)
2/15 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)
2/08 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/07 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/02 SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
2/01 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
1/26 SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
1/26 SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
1/23 SB 1055 Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26)
1/19 SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 26 Reduces Penalty for Non-Violent Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
1/19 SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
9/28 S 2040 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1)
9/14 SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/16 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
7/06 S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
6/30 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/30 AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/27 A 3689 Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/27 S 51 Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/20 S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
6/20 S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)

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