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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 478 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Gender Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | GA | SB 375 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | GA | SB 375 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | OR | HB 4145 | Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | OR | HB 4145 | Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | AZ | SB 1393 | Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | MI | HB 4053 | Establishes English as Official Language | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | WA | SB 6052 | Repeals Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | AZ | SB 1393 | Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | WI | AB 128 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | S 1243 | Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 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 1948 | Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey 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 | National | S Amdt 1955 | Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 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 1955 | Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 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 587 | Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | NH | HB 628 | Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164) |
| 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 | MI | SB 660 | Extends the Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs to 2025 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 36) |
| 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 | 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. 19, 2018 | National | HR 4712 | Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 183) |
| 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 455 | Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision | Bill Passed - House (57 - 32) |
| Nov. 2, 2017 | WI | AB 128 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| 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) |
| Aug. 4, 2017 | TX | HB 215 | Requires Additional Reporting for Abortions Performed on Minors | Bill Passed - House (97 - 46) |
| July 25, 2017 | TX | SB 10 | Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 3464 | Prohibits Disclosure of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | SB 719 | Authorizes Court to Prohibit Suicidal Individuals from Owning Guns | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| July 6, 2017 | OH | HB 233 | Amends Regulations of Gun-Free Zones | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 3391 | Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| July 1, 2017 | OR | HB 3391 | Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (33 - 23) |
| June 30, 2017 | WA | SB 5975 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - House (65 - 29) |
| June 30, 2017 | WA | SB 5975 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| June 29, 2017 | DE | HB 249 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Betting | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
| June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |