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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 23, 2018 | National | S Amdt 3967 | Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | SB 10 | Establishes New Provisions for the Criminal Justice System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | AB 2103 | Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Aug. 20, 2018 | CA | SB 10 | Establishes New Provisions for the Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - House (42 - 31) |
| Aug. 6, 2018 | CA | AB 282 | Amends the End of Life Option Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| July 26, 2018 | NJ | S 2846 | Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2598 | Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| July 11, 2018 | National | HR 200 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 193) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | S 2562 | Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 66 | Authorizes Judges to Sentence Individuals to "Community Control" Facilities | (90 - 2) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 81 | Amends Renewal Procedures for Veteran Concealed Carry Permits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 7) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 36 | Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (61 - 30) |
| June 27, 2018 | National | HR 6136 | Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 | Bill Failed - House (121 - 301) |
| June 27, 2018 | MA | H 4664 | Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (137 - 14) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 36 | Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (61 - 30) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 349 | Establishes Criminal Penalties for Mistreatment of Search and Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (78 - 15) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 349 | Establishes Criminal Penalties for Mistreatment of Search and Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (78 - 15) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 428 | Requires Schools to Allow Student Religious Expression | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| June 26, 2018 | National | HR 2083 | Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act | Bill Passed - House (288 - 116) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 3861 | Amends Unemployment Insurance Law | (23 - 14) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2532 | Requires Corrections Officers to Complete 4 Hours of Sexual Assault Prevention Training | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 29) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 29) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 22, 2018 | National | HR 6 | Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (396 - 14) |
| June 21, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| June 21, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 1074 | Requires Public Access to Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | A 3861 | Amends Unemployment Insurance Law | (48 - 25) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | ACR 180 | Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act | Bill Passed - House (60 - 4) |
| June 21, 2018 | National | HR 4760 | Securing America's Future Act of 2018 | Bill Failed - House (193 - 231) |
| June 20, 2018 | OH | SB 4 | Authorizes Expunged Convictions for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (81 - 12) |
| June 20, 2018 | OH | HB 365 | Amends Prison Parole and Sentencing Laws | Bill Passed - House (90 - 3) |
| June 20, 2018 | OH | HB 552 | Prohibits Use of Gas Chambers for Animal Euthanasia | Bill Passed - House (89 - 4) |
| June 20, 2018 | OH | HB 531 | Authorizes State Funds for Sports Event Bidding | Bill Passed - House (84 - 9) |
| June 15, 2018 | National | HR 2851 | SITSA Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 142) |
| June 14, 2018 | DE | HB 300 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 2) |
| June 14, 2018 | NY | S 2412 | Establishes A Commission Of Prosecutorial Conduct | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 12) |
| June 14, 2018 | National | HR 5735 | THRIVE Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 173) |
| June 14, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| June 14, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| June 13, 2018 | NC | SB 768 | Amends Law to Include Person-First Lanugage | Bill Passed - House (109 - 2) |
| June 13, 2018 | NC | SB 616 | Establishes Heroin And Opioid Prevention and Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (87 - 25) |
| June 13, 2018 | NC | SB 616 | Establishes Heroin And Opioid Prevention and Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (87 - 25) |
| June 13, 2018 | NY | A 6823 | Amends Sex Trafficking Definition | Bill Passed - House (137 - 0) |
| June 13, 2018 | NY | A 11148 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (108 - 30) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5901 | Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 12, 2018 | RI | H 7477 | Prohibits Pet Shops from Selling Non-Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 3) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 4926 | Authorizes Internet Gaming Licenses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 40) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 366 | Updates Child Support Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 0) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 4111 | Amends Online Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1181 | Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2758 | Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| June 7, 2018 | DE | SB 65 | Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | S 121 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 411 | Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 11) |
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 411 | Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 11) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | A 2142 | Requires Certain Marijuana Convictions be Sealed | Bill Passed - House (98 - 41) |
| June 6, 2018 | OH | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | S 7415 | Prohibits Leasing Plans for Pets | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | A 9016 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Opioid-Use Disorder | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
| May 31, 2018 | IL | SB 336 | Establishes the Alternatives to Opioids Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (72 - 38) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2562 | Authorizes Police Drone Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3256 | Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3489 | Amends the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 42) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2560 | Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | AB 2965 | Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 871 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 872 | Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
| May 29, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Bill Passed - House (65 - 49) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | SB 1100 | Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | SB 872 | Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 | Bill Passed - House (99 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | SB 871 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses | Bill Passed - House (108 - 1) |
| May 24, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - House (57 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | IL | HB 4965 | Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
| May 24, 2018 | IL | HB 5599 | Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | HB 6043 | Requires School Districts to Report Inappropriate Conduct within 60 Days | Bill Passed - House (88 - 21) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | SB 2428 | Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 44) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - House (80 - 32) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - House (80 - 32) |
| May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 23, 2018 | RI | S 2678 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 22, 2018 | National | S 204 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (250 - 169) |
| May 22, 2018 | National | HR 5682 | FIRST STEP Act | Bill Passed - House (360 - 59) |
| May 16, 2018 | LA | SB 184 | Amends Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 14) |
| May 16, 2018 | LA | HB 88 | Establishes Crime of Government Benefits Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 16, 2018 | NY | A 3557 | Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health | Bill Passed - House (137 - 0) |
| May 16, 2018 | National | HR 5698 | Protect and Serve Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (382 - 35) |
| May 16, 2018 | National | S J Res 52 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |