Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Oct. 17, 2017 NC S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40)
June 29, 2017 National HR 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
June 28, 2017 National HR 1215 Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
June 1, 2017 CA AB 42 Amends Money Bail Procedures Bill Failed - House (35 - 37)
May 31, 2017 IL SB 639 Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines Bill Passed - House (105 - 2)
May 31, 2017 IL SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - House
May 29, 2017 IL SB 31 Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
May 24, 2017 MA H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
May 18, 2017 NV SB 176 Requires Police Officers to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (33 - 9)
May 1, 2017 OR HB 2597 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
April 27, 2017 NC HB 330 Limits Liability for Motorists Involved in Accidents with Protesters Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
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 11, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 10, 2017 NC H 467 Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
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 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 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 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 ID HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
March 2, 2017 UT HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
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)
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)
Sept. 28, 2016 National S 2040 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Override Passed - House (348 - 77)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
April 18, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 5, 2016 LA HB 580 Limits Time Frame for Real Estate Appraisal Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (45 - 47)
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 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)
Jan. 28, 2016 SC H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
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. 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)
April 24, 2015 FL HB 943 Amends Alimony Law Bill Passed - House (93 - 22)
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 14, 2015 WV HB 2011 Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2015 WV HB 2002 Amends Liability Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21)
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 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. 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. 20, 2014 CA SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
July 30, 2014 National H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
July 23, 2014 MA S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
July 9, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
June 16, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 30, 2014 National H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
May 29, 2014 LA SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/17 S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40)
6/29 HR 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
6/28 HR 1215 Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
6/01 AB 42 Amends Money Bail Procedures Bill Failed - House (35 - 37)
5/31 SB 639 Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines Bill Passed - House (105 - 2)
5/31 SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - House
5/29 SB 31 Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
5/24 H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
5/18 SB 176 Requires Police Officers to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (33 - 9)
5/01 HB 2597 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
4/27 HB 330 Limits Liability for Motorists Involved in Accidents with Protesters Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
4/20 SB 5037 Classifies 4th DUI as a Felony Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
4/13 SB 1236 Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
4/11 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/10 H 467 Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
4/04 SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
4/04 SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
3/23 A 4243 Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
3/20 HF 539 Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/16 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
3/10 HR 720 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 188)
3/09 HR 985 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (220 - 201)
3/08 H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/07 HB 1371 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
3/02 HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
3/02 HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/23 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
2/06 HB 645 Classifies Killing of First Responders as First-Degree Murder Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
2/06 HB 1426 Classifies Riots Involving More than 100 Individuals as a Class B Felony Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
2/06 HB 1304 Prohibits Wearing a Mask During the Commission of a Crime Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
2/06 HB 1293 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Issue Citations for Trespassing Bill Passed - House (85 - 6)
2/06 HB 1193 Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony Bill Passed - House (72 - 19)
9/28 S 2040 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Override Passed - House (348 - 77)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
4/18 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/05 HB 580 Limits Time Frame for Real Estate Appraisal Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (45 - 47)
3/17 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)
3/10 HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32)
3/10 HB 1270 Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification Bill Passed - House (184 - 145)
3/03 HB 3162 Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges Bill Passed - House (58 - 34)
3/01 HB 738 Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
1/28 H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
1/19 HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
1/08 HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
10/01 HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
7/16 SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
5/26 AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/18 H 1 Amends Foreign Child Support Order Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
4/24 HB 943 Amends Alimony Law Bill Passed - House (93 - 22)
4/21 HB 1690 Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption Bill Passed - House (95 - 49)
3/26 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
3/20 HJM 4 Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/19 HB 124 Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
3/14 HB 2011 Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/23 HB 2002 Amends Liability Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21)
2/17 SB 6 Amends Existing Medical Malpractice Law Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/17 AB 125 Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
2/12 HB 1338 Authorizes Lawsuits for "Wrongful Death" of a Fetus Bill Passed - House (78 - 37)
2/10 HB 2011 Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/09 HB 2700 Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
1/27 HB 2002 Amends Liability Standards Bill Passed - House (74 - 25)
12/04 HB 5958 Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
8/29 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
8/20 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
7/30 H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
7/23 S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
7/09 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
6/16 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/30 H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
5/29 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
5/01 HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)

arrow_upward