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
June 2, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 20, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 20, 2016 CT SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 19, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 24, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 7, 2016 UT SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 3, 2016 MS SB 2306 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 29, 2016 GA SB 6 Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 20, 2016 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Jan. 20, 2016 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2015 National HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Oct. 20, 2015 National S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 7, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
Oct. 7, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
Sept. 28, 2015 NC HB 318 Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
July 3, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 25, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
June 2, 2015 National HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
May 29, 2015 CT HB 6844 Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
May 12, 2015 National HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
May 5, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
April 16, 2015 TN SB 612 Authorizes Certain Students to be Charged In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 27, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 5, 2015 AZ SB 1222 Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Jan. 20, 2015 VA SB 722 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Students with Certain Temporary Visas Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2014 National S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
Sept. 18, 2014 National H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
Sept. 18, 2014 National H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 24, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 17, 2014 NY A 2597A Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29)
March 6, 2014 National S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
Feb. 28, 2014 AK HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
Jan. 31, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/20 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/20 SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/13 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/24 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/07 SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/03 SB 2306 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/29 SB 6 Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/22 SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/22 SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/16 SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/09 SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/20 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
1/20 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
11/05 HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
10/20 S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/07 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
10/07 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
9/28 HB 318 Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
7/03 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/25 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
6/02 HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
6/02 SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
5/29 HB 6844 Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
5/12 HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
5/05 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
4/16 SB 612 Authorizes Certain Students to be Charged In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/27 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/05 SB 1222 Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
1/20 SB 722 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Students with Certain Temporary Visas Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20)
11/18 S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
9/18 H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
9/18 H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
5/01 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
4/17 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/24 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/17 A 2597A Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29)
3/06 S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
2/28 HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
1/31 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/19 S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)

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