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
March 10, 2017 SC H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
March 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 8, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 8, 2017 MN HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
March 7, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
March 7, 2017 KY HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 7, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 6, 2017 KY SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 4, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 2, 2017 MS HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2017 MO SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
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)
March 1, 2017 GA HB 51 Classifies University Staff as Mandated Reporters Bill Passed - House (115 - 55)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 MT SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 23, 2017 MN HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (72 - 58)
Feb. 23, 2017 SD HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
Feb. 22, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2017 NV IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2017 GA HB 37 Prohibits State Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Bill Passed - House (112 - 57)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2017 SD SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2017 IN HB 1071 Authorizes Individuals with a Protective Order to Carry a Handgun without a License Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
Feb. 21, 2017 UT HB 198 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18 to 20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2017 ND HB 1169 Establishes Updated Regulations for Concealed Carry of a Firearm Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2017 UT HB 200 Requires Timely Testing of Rape Kits Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2017 NH SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 16, 2017 National H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 188)
Feb. 16, 2017 MO HB 302 Establishes "Blue Alert" System Bill Passed - House (146 - 6)
Feb. 16, 2017 National H J Res 69 Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska Joint Resolution Passed - House (225 - 193)
Feb. 16, 2017 MO HB 57 Requires Increased Penalties for Assault on Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
Feb. 15, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2017 NJ S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/10 H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
3/09 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/08 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/08 HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
3/07 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
3/07 HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/07 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/06 SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/04 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/02 HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
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)
3/01 HB 51 Classifies University Staff as Mandated Reporters Bill Passed - House (115 - 55)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/28 SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/23 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/23 HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (72 - 58)
2/23 HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
2/22 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/22 IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
2/22 HB 37 Prohibits State Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Bill Passed - House (112 - 57)
2/22 SB 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/22 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/22 SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/21 HB 1071 Authorizes Individuals with a Protective Order to Carry a Handgun without a License Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
2/21 HB 198 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18 to 20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
2/21 HB 1169 Establishes Updated Regulations for Concealed Carry of a Firearm Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
2/17 HB 200 Requires Timely Testing of Rape Kits Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
2/16 SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
2/16 H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 188)
2/16 HB 302 Establishes "Blue Alert" System Bill Passed - House (146 - 6)
2/16 H J Res 69 Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska Joint Resolution Passed - House (225 - 193)
2/16 HB 57 Requires Increased Penalties for Assault on Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
2/15 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
2/15 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)

arrow_upward