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
Feb. 27, 2018 KY HB 4 Amends Malpractice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2018 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2018 ID S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
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 NJ S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 NJ S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2018 NJ S 105 Amends Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2018 National HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
Feb. 14, 2018 WA HB 1144 Amends Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2018 UT HB 197 Authorizes the Cultivation and Distribution of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2018 OR HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Feb. 13, 2018 OR HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2018 TN HB 108 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2018 MD SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2018 WA SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2018 UT HB 195 Authorizes Terminal Ill Individuals to Try Medical Cannabis Bill Passed - House (40 - 26)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
Feb. 8, 2018 CA AJR 29 Expresses Opposition to Executive Offshore Drilling Proposal Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
Feb. 7, 2018 SC H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
Feb. 6, 2018 MS SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2018 National HR 772 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (266 - 157)
Feb. 6, 2018 MS SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (80 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2018 MS SB 2588 Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2018 MS HB 415 Amends Alcoholic Beverage Regulations (86 - 26)
Jan. 30, 2018 AL HB 26 Prohibits Smoking Tobacco in Cars where a Minor is Present Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
Jan. 23, 2018 MI SB 409 Authorizes Private Harbor Permits in the Great Lakes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Jan. 23, 2018 IN HB 1058 Requires Dissemination of Vaccine Information Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Jan. 19, 2018 National HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 41 Requires State to Contract with Pregnancy Support Services Network Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
Jan. 10, 2018 National S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)
Dec. 21, 2017 National HR 4667 Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (251 - 169)
Dec. 13, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Nov. 14, 2017 National HR 2874 21st Century Flood Reform Act Bill Passed - House (237 - 189)
Nov. 9, 2017 MA S 2202 Amends Various Healthcare Laws Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Nov. 7, 2017 MI HB 5095 Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
Nov. 3, 2017 National HR 3922 Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 (CHAMPION Act) Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
Nov. 2, 2017 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Nov. 2, 2017 National HR 849 Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 111)
Nov. 1, 2017 National HR 2936 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
Nov. 1, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Oct. 25, 2017 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
Oct. 18, 2017 MI SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 18, 2017 MI SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2017 MI HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Oct. 11, 2017 MI SB 541 Requires Half of Dental Therapists' Patients be Low Income, Disabled, or Uninsured (21 - 15)
Oct. 4, 2017 NC H 56 Transfers Funds for Cape Fear River Cleanup Veto Override Passed - House (70 - 44)
Oct. 4, 2017 NC H 56 Transfers Funds for Cape Fear River Cleanup Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Oct. 2, 2017 PA HB 45 Authorizes Terminally Ill Patients to Use Experimental Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 14, 2017 CA AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 20)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Sept. 8, 2017 National HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (316 - 90)
Sept. 7, 2017 National HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
Sept. 6, 2017 National H Res 502 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (419 - 3)
Sept. 5, 2017 CA AB 841 Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Aug. 13, 2017 TX HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Aug. 11, 2017 TX HB 7 Specifies Tree Removal Regulations Municipalities May Impose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
Aug. 4, 2017 TX HB 215 Requires Additional Reporting for Abortions Performed on Minors Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
July 31, 2017 NJ ACR 254 Specifies Opposition to Governor's Overhaul of Addiction Care Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
July 28, 2017 National S Amdt 667 Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
July 27, 2017 National S Amdt 340 Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (0 - 57)
July 26, 2017 National S Amdt 271 Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
July 25, 2017 MO SB 5 Amends Abortion Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
July 25, 2017 National S Amdt 270 Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 57)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
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 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/27 HB 4 Amends Malpractice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
2/22 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/20 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/20 S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/16 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/15 S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
2/15 S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
2/15 S 105 Amends Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
2/15 HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
2/14 HB 1144 Amends Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/13 HB 197 Authorizes the Cultivation and Distribution of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/13 HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/13 HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/12 HB 108 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
2/12 SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/10 SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
2/09 HB 195 Authorizes Terminal Ill Individuals to Try Medical Cannabis Bill Passed - House (40 - 26)
2/08 HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
2/08 AJR 29 Expresses Opposition to Executive Offshore Drilling Proposal Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
2/07 H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
2/06 SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/06 HR 772 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (266 - 157)
2/06 SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/05 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (80 - 31)
2/05 SB 2588 Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
2/01 S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/01 S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/31 HB 415 Amends Alcoholic Beverage Regulations (86 - 26)
1/30 HB 26 Prohibits Smoking Tobacco in Cars where a Minor is Present Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
1/23 SB 409 Authorizes Private Harbor Permits in the Great Lakes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
1/23 HB 1058 Requires Dissemination of Vaccine Information Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
1/19 HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
1/12 HB 41 Requires State to Contract with Pregnancy Support Services Network Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
1/10 S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)
12/21 HR 4667 Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (251 - 169)
12/13 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
11/14 HR 2874 21st Century Flood Reform Act Bill Passed - House (237 - 189)
11/09 S 2202 Amends Various Healthcare Laws Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
11/07 HB 5095 Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
11/03 HR 3922 Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 (CHAMPION Act) Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
11/02 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
11/02 HR 849 Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 111)
11/01 HR 2936 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
11/01 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
10/25 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
10/24 HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
10/18 SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/18 SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/12 HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
10/11 SB 541 Requires Half of Dental Therapists' Patients be Low Income, Disabled, or Uninsured (21 - 15)
10/04 H 56 Transfers Funds for Cape Fear River Cleanup Veto Override Passed - House (70 - 44)
10/04 H 56 Transfers Funds for Cape Fear River Cleanup Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
10/02 HB 45 Authorizes Terminally Ill Patients to Use Experimental Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/14 AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 20)
9/12 AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
9/08 HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (316 - 90)
9/07 HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
9/06 H Res 502 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (419 - 3)
9/05 AB 841 Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
8/13 HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
8/11 HB 7 Specifies Tree Removal Regulations Municipalities May Impose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
8/04 HB 215 Requires Additional Reporting for Abortions Performed on Minors Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
7/31 ACR 254 Specifies Opposition to Governor's Overhaul of Addiction Care Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
7/28 S Amdt 667 Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
7/27 S Amdt 340 Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (0 - 57)
7/26 S Amdt 271 Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
7/25 SB 5 Amends Abortion Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
7/25 S Amdt 270 Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 57)
7/25 SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
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 398 Extends California's Cap-and-Trade Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)

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