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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44) |
| April 20, 2017 | WA | SB 5037 | Classifies 4th DUI as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (85 - 11) |
| April 13, 2017 | AZ | SB 1236 | Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 11, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| April 11, 2017 | TX | SB 75 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 7, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | (54 - 45) |
| April 7, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | (54 - 45) |
| April 6, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| April 6, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| April 5, 2017 | DE | SB 27 | Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| March 28, 2017 | MN | SF 803 | Appropriates Funds to Various Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 15) |
| March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 23, 2017 | NJ | A 4243 | Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
| March 20, 2017 | IA | HF 539 | Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 16, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 15, 2017 | FL | SB 128 | Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 10, 2017 | National | HR 720 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 188) |
| March 9, 2017 | National | HR 985 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (220 - 201) |
| March 9, 2017 | UT | HB 99 | Amends Bigamy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 8, 2017 | NC | H 100 | Restores Partisan Court Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 2, 2017 | UT | HB 259 | Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (53 - 15) |
| March 2, 2017 | ID | HB 202 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | UT | HB 99 | Amends Bigamy Laws | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| 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. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1304 | Prohibits Wearing a Mask During the Commission of a Crime | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1293 | Authorizes Law Enforcement to Issue Citations for Trespassing | Bill Passed - House (85 - 6) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1193 | Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony | Bill Passed - House (72 - 19) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | MS | HB 645 | Classifies Killing of First Responders as First-Degree Murder | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1426 | Classifies Riots Involving More than 100 Individuals as a Class B Felony | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
| Jan. 26, 2017 | MS | SB 2469 | Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| Jan. 19, 2017 | MT | SB 29 | Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - House (348 - 77) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| 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 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| April 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1793 | Requires Mary Kogut to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1794 | Requires Dr. James Miller to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| April 5, 2016 | IL | SB 2465 | Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| April 5, 2016 | LA | HB 580 | Limits Time Frame for Real Estate Appraisal Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| March 24, 2016 | TN | HB 1679 | Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | NH | HB 1270 | Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification | Bill Passed - House (184 - 145) |
| March 3, 2016 | OK | HB 3162 | Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges | Bill Passed - House (58 - 34) |
| March 1, 2016 | MS | HB 738 | Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 60) |
| 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. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | SC | H 3521 | Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (68 - 42) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | National | PN 367 | Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KS | HB 2151 | Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries | Bill Passed - House (101 - 20) |
| Jan. 8, 2016 | National | HR 1927 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 188) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2564 | Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65) |
| Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 3457 | Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (251 - 173) |
| July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
| May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| May 12, 2015 | DE | SB 75 | Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 30, 2015 | TX | SB 1628 | Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |
| April 23, 2015 | National | PN 4 | Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43) |
| April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
| March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 5, 2015 | AZ | SB 1222 | Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| March 3, 2015 | OR | HB 2700 | Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | WV | SB 6 | Amends Existing Medical Malpractice Law | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | MS | HB 1338 | Authorizes Lawsuits for "Wrongful Death" of a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | OR | HB 2700 | Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
| Jan. 27, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |