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
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 9, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
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)
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 - Senate (97 - 1)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 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 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)
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 10, 2016 IN HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
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 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)
Oct. 22, 2015 National S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
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 23, 2015 National PN 4 Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
March 16, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
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. 20, 2015 NV AB 125 Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2015 WV HB 2002 Amends Liability Standards Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
July 1, 2014 MA Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
May 30, 2014 LA SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 28, 2014 FL SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 4, 2014 KS SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 31, 2014 MD SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 27, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 18, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 17, 2014 KY SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 12, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 6, 2014 KS HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 6, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/09 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
2/08 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/07 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
1/26 SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
1/19 SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
9/28 S 2040 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/14 SR 1793 Requires Mary Kogut to Appear Before the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/14 SR 1794 Requires Dr. James Miller to Appear Before the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/07 SB 237 Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/05 SB 2465 Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
3/24 HB 1679 Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/10 HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/28 SB 344 Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
10/22 S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
5/16 AB 193 Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
5/12 SB 75 Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/07 SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/30 SB 1628 Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/23 PN 4 Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
3/16 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/11 SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/05 SB 1222 Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/03 HB 2700 Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/20 AB 125 Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
2/09 HB 2002 Amends Liability Standards Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
8/27 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
8/21 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
7/01 Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
5/30 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/28 SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/28 SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/04 SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/01 AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/31 SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/27 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/18 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/17 SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/12 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/06 HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/06 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)

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