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
Aug. 11, 2017 TX HB 7 Specifies Tree Removal Regulations Municipalities May Impose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
July 18, 2017 National HR 806 Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 199)
July 17, 2017 CA AB 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 22)
July 17, 2017 CA AB 617 Establishes Air-Quality Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
July 17, 2017 CA AB 617 Establishes Air-Quality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
July 17, 2017 CA AB 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
July 12, 2017 National HR 23 Gaining Responsibility on Water Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 190)
June 29, 2017 DE HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
June 21, 2017 OH SB 2 Amends Environmental Protection Laws Bill Passed - House (85 - 10)
June 20, 2017 DE HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
June 14, 2017 RI S 112A Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
May 31, 2017 CA SB 100 Increases the State Renewable Energy Target Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 24, 2017 National HR 953 Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 165)
May 11, 2017 RI S 112A Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
April 24, 2017 NC SB 434 Amends Local Riparian Buffer Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 31)
April 13, 2017 MT SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 11, 2017 MT SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Bill Passed - House (65 - 65)
April 10, 2017 OR SB 3 Establishes Restrictions on Suction Mining Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - House (54 - 26)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 5, 2017 WI SB 76 Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 31, 2017 MT HB 622 Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
March 30, 2017 OH HB 114 Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 30, 2017 National HR 1431 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
March 29, 2017 National HR 1430 Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (228 - 194)
March 27, 2017 MD HB 1325 Prohibits Fracking Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
March 22, 2017 ID H 274 Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 17, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 8, 2017 UT HCR 12 Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 3, 2017 UT HCR 11 Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2017 UT HCR 11 Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation Joint Resolution Passed - House (60 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2017 UT HCR 12 Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 13)
Jan. 17, 2017 NY S 362 Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Bill Passed - House (48 - 31)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 24, 2016 National HR 897 Zika Vector Control Act Bill Passed - House (258 - 156)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1268 Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 12, 2016 HI HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
March 30, 2016 MD SB 323 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
March 9, 2016 MD SB 198 Prohibits Certain Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 8, 2016 HI HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - House (44 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2016 WI AB 600 Amends Shoreline Development Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 21, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
Jan. 13, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
Jan. 12, 2016 National HR 1644 Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Dec. 1, 2015 National S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (242 - 180)
Dec. 1, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 3, 2015 National S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
Sept. 25, 2015 National HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
July 22, 2015 National HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
July 21, 2015 NC HB 169 Repeals Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (72 - 35)
July 16, 2015 National HR 2898 Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 176)
July 9, 2015 National HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
June 30, 2015 WA SB 5987 Increases Motor Fuel Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
June 24, 2015 National HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
June 12, 2015 MN SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 1, 2015 National HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
April 23, 2015 IL HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
March 31, 2015 NY S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
March 26, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 23, 2015 CO HB 1259 Authorizes Collection of Rooftop Precipitation Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 16, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/11 HB 7 Specifies Tree Removal Regulations Municipalities May Impose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
7/18 HR 806 Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 199)
7/17 AB 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 22)
7/17 AB 617 Establishes Air-Quality Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
7/17 AB 617 Establishes Air-Quality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
7/17 AB 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
7/12 HR 23 Gaining Responsibility on Water Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 190)
6/29 HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
6/21 SB 2 Amends Environmental Protection Laws Bill Passed - House (85 - 10)
6/20 HB 190 Authorizes Commercial Activity in State-Designated Coastal Zones Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
6/14 S 112A Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
5/31 SB 100 Increases the State Renewable Energy Target Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/24 HR 953 Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 165)
5/11 S 112A Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
4/24 SB 434 Amends Local Riparian Buffer Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 31)
4/13 SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/11 SB 299 Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals Bill Passed - House (65 - 65)
4/10 SB 3 Establishes Restrictions on Suction Mining Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - House (54 - 26)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/05 SB 76 Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/31 HB 622 Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
3/30 HB 114 Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/30 HR 1431 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
3/29 HR 1430 Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (228 - 194)
3/27 HB 1325 Prohibits Fracking Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
3/22 H 274 Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/17 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/16 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
2/08 HCR 12 Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/03 HCR 11 Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
1/31 HCR 11 Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation Joint Resolution Passed - House (60 - 14)
1/31 HCR 12 Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 13)
1/17 S 362 Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
8/24 SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/24 AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
8/23 SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Bill Passed - House (48 - 31)
8/22 AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/24 HR 897 Zika Vector Control Act Bill Passed - House (258 - 156)
5/04 SB 1268 Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
5/04 SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/12 HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
3/30 SB 323 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
3/09 SB 198 Prohibits Certain Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/08 HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - House (44 - 7)
2/09 AB 600 Amends Shoreline Development Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/21 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
1/13 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
1/12 HR 1644 Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
12/01 S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (242 - 180)
12/01 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
11/17 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/17 S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/03 S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
9/25 HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
9/04 AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
7/22 HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
7/21 HB 169 Repeals Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (72 - 35)
7/16 HR 2898 Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 176)
7/09 HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
6/30 SB 5987 Increases Motor Fuel Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
6/24 HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
6/12 SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/03 SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/01 HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
4/23 HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
3/31 S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
3/26 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
3/24 SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/23 HB 1259 Authorizes Collection of Rooftop Precipitation Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/16 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)

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