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. 13, 2020 National H J Res 79 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
Feb. 13, 2020 WA HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Feb. 13, 2020 WA HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2020 OK HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2020 WA HB 2602 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2020 WI AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA HB 961 Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2020 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2020 WI AB 734 Increases Penalties for Mail Theft Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 11, 2020 WI AB 806 Amends the Age for Juvenile Incarceration Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1048 Establishes the CROWN Act Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
Feb. 11, 2020 National HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV HB 4069 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV HB 4069 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2020 WI AB 809 Prohibits Early Release for Individuals Convicted of Violent Crimes Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2020 KY HB 44 Amends Criminal Trespassing Laws Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (71 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2020 OK HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
Feb. 10, 2020 OK HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2020 KY SB 8 Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (78 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2020 KS SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Failed - House (80 - 43)
Feb. 7, 2020 MD SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2020 WV HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 7, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2020 MI HB 4567 Amends Fishing Regulations Bill Passed - House (72 - 32)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
Feb. 4, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 4, 2020 KY SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Feb. 3, 2020 GA SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Jan. 31, 2020 WA SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2020 WA SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2020 KY HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2020 VA HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
Jan. 30, 2020 MI SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2020 VA HB 674 Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
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 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. 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. 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 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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. 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. 15, 2020 WV HB 4007 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Jan. 15, 2020 National HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/13 H J Res 79 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
2/13 HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
2/13 HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
2/12 HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
2/12 HB 2602 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
2/11 AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
2/11 HB 961 Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/11 SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/11 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/11 AB 734 Increases Penalties for Mail Theft Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/11 AB 806 Amends the Age for Juvenile Incarceration Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/11 HB 20-1048 Establishes the CROWN Act Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
2/11 HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
2/11 HB 4069 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
2/11 HB 4069 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
2/11 AB 809 Prohibits Early Release for Individuals Convicted of Violent Crimes Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/10 HB 44 Amends Criminal Trespassing Laws Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (71 - 7)
2/10 HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
2/10 HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
2/07 SB 8 Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (78 - 8)
2/07 SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Failed - House (80 - 43)
2/07 SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
2/07 HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/07 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
2/06 HB 4567 Amends Fishing Regulations Bill Passed - House (72 - 32)
2/06 HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
2/06 HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
2/06 HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/06 HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/04 SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/04 SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
2/04 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
2/04 HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/03 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
2/03 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
2/03 SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
1/31 SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
1/31 SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
1/31 HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
1/31 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
1/30 SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
1/30 HB 674 Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/29 S 3201 Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act Bill Passed - House (320 - 88)
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)
1/29 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)
1/28 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 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
1/15 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)
1/15 HB 4007 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
1/15 HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)

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