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. 20, 2018 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2018 WV SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
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 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 AL HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 National HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
Feb. 14, 2018 SD HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2018 VA HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 12, 2018 TN HB 108 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
Feb. 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
Feb. 5, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (80 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2018 WV HB 2662 Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 2, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
Feb. 1, 2018 MD SB 120 Authorizes Mutual-Consent Divorce for Parents without Year Separation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
Jan. 31, 2018 MI SB 660 Extends the Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs to 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Jan. 29, 2018 VA SB 192 Authorizes State to Deduct Previous TANF Benefits from Lottery Winnings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 19, 2018 National HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 CA AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 41 Requires State to Contract with Pregnancy Support Services Network Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
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)
Jan. 3, 2018 NH HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Dec. 13, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Dec. 6, 2017 National HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Nov. 2, 2017 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Nov. 2, 2017 WI AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
Nov. 1, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Oct. 26, 2017 IL HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
Oct. 26, 2017 MA S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
Oct. 11, 2017 OH HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Oct. 11, 2017 MA Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
Sept. 28, 2017 National HR 2792 Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
Sept. 16, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA SB 394 Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 14, 2017 CA SB 179 Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Sept. 14, 2017 CA AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 20)
Sept. 14, 2017 National HR 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 175)
Sept. 13, 2017 CA SB 179 Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender Bill Passed - House (57 - 21)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Sept. 11, 2017 CA AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
Sept. 11, 2017 CA AB 291 Prohibits Landlords from Disclosing Immigration Status of Tenants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 20)
Aug. 13, 2017 TX HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/20 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/20 SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
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 Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
2/15 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/15 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/15 HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
2/14 HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
2/13 HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/12 HB 108 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
2/12 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/08 HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
2/08 HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
2/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
2/05 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (80 - 31)
2/05 HB 2662 Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/02 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
2/01 SB 120 Authorizes Mutual-Consent Divorce for Parents without Year Separation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
1/31 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
1/31 SB 660 Extends the Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs to 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
1/29 SB 192 Authorizes State to Deduct Previous TANF Benefits from Lottery Winnings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/25 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
1/19 HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
1/19 SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/19 SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
1/12 HB 41 Requires State to Contract with Pregnancy Support Services Network Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
1/12 HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
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)
1/03 HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
12/13 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
12/06 HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
11/08 SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/08 SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/07 AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
11/07 SB 54 Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
11/02 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
11/02 AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
11/01 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
10/26 HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
10/26 S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/24 HR 2142 International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 3)
10/11 HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
10/11 Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
9/28 HR 2792 Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
9/16 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
9/15 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
9/15 SB 394 Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
9/15 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/14 SB 179 Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
9/14 AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 20)
9/14 HR 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 175)
9/13 SB 179 Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender Bill Passed - House (57 - 21)
9/12 AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
9/12 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
9/11 AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
9/11 AB 291 Prohibits Landlords from Disclosing Immigration Status of Tenants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 20)
8/13 HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)

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