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
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2020 MI SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Jan. 29, 2020 National S 3201 Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act Bill Passed - House (320 - 88)
Jan. 29, 2020 SD HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Jan. 29, 2020 KS SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2020 VA HB 119 Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Jan. 28, 2020 OH SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 27, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2020 DE SB 139 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Dogs in Cold Weather Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Jan. 23, 2020 WA HB 1010 Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 15, 2020 National HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 4007 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 14, 2020 IN SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Jan. 14, 2020 MI HB 4020 Authorizes the Sale of Stun Guns to Individuals Over the Age of 18 Bill Passed - House (84 - 24)
Jan. 13, 2020 NJ S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
Jan. 13, 2020 NJ S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH HB 201 Increases the Penalty for Sexual Contact with Human Trafficking Victims Under 18 Bill Passed - House (316 - 55)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (201 - 176)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 1477 Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts Bill Passed - House (193 - 4)
Dec. 17, 2019 PA SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (167 - 29)
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 4260 Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 19)
Dec. 11, 2019 National HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
Dec. 6, 2019 National HR 4 Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 187)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 16)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ S 2905 Prohibits Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - House (54 - 19)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ S 2055 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 5816 Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/30 SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
1/29 S 3201 Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act Bill Passed - House (320 - 88)
1/29 HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
1/29 SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/29 HB 119 Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
1/28 SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/27 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
1/23 SB 139 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Dogs in Cold Weather Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
1/23 HB 1010 Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
1/22 SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/22 SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/21 SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/21 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/16 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/16 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/16 SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/15 HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
1/15 HB 4007 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/14 SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
1/14 HB 4020 Authorizes the Sale of Stun Guns to Individuals Over the Age of 18 Bill Passed - House (84 - 24)
1/13 S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
1/13 S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
1/08 HB 201 Increases the Penalty for Sexual Contact with Human Trafficking Victims Under 18 Bill Passed - House (316 - 55)
1/08 HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (201 - 176)
12/18 SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
12/18 HB 1477 Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts Bill Passed - House (193 - 4)
12/17 SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (167 - 29)
12/16 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
12/16 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
12/16 A 4260 Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 19)
12/11 HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
12/06 HR 4 Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 187)
11/25 S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 16)
11/25 S 2905 Prohibits Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - House (54 - 19)
11/25 S 2055 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
11/25 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
11/25 A 5816 Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
11/25 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)

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