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. 29, 2020 SD HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
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. 27, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2020 WA HB 1010 Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
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. 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 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (201 - 176)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH HB 201 Increases the Penalty for Sexual Contact with Human Trafficking Victims Under 18 Bill Passed - House (316 - 55)
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 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 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 5816 Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37)
Nov. 19, 2019 National HR 5084 Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (281 - 135)
Nov. 18, 2019 PA HB 1890 Requires a Funeral for, or the Cremation of, Abortion Remains Bill Passed - House (123 - 76)
Nov. 13, 2019 IL SB 667 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply Bill Passed - House (100 - 13)
Nov. 13, 2019 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
Nov. 12, 2019 WI AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Nov. 12, 2019 WI AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Nov. 7, 2019 WI AB 304 Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Nov. 6, 2019 MI SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
Nov. 5, 2019 MI HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
Nov. 5, 2019 MI HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
Nov. 5, 2019 MI HB 5120 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (100 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2019 NC SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51)
Oct. 30, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
Oct. 30, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
Oct. 30, 2019 MI HB 4916 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
Oct. 30, 2019 IL HB 3904 Authorizes Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for Use of Their Name, Image, or Likeness Bill Passed - House (86 - 25)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
Oct. 29, 2019 National H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
Sept. 25, 2019 National HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
Sept. 24, 2019 MI HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA SB 61 Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
Sept. 12, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
Sept. 12, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 172 Amends Firearm Storage Regulations Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA SB 329 Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Aug. 15, 2019 CA SB 192 Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police (63 - 5)
July 31, 2019 NC SB 199 Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (92 - 15)
July 25, 2019 National HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)
July 24, 2019 National HR 3239 Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 195)
July 23, 2019 National H Res 246 Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel Bill Passed - House (398 - 17)
July 16, 2019 National H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
July 16, 2019 National H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
July 12, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
July 1, 2019 CA SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
June 30, 2019 DE SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
June 27, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
June 27, 2019 DE SB 44 Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense Bill Passed - House (34 - 6)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
June 26, 2019 DE SB 47 Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 26, 2019 NC HB 135 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities Bill Passed - House (65 - 52)
June 25, 2019 DE HB 77 Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
June 25, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/29 HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
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)
1/27 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
1/23 HB 1010 Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
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)
1/14 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 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (201 - 176)
1/08 HB 201 Increases the Penalty for Sexual Contact with Human Trafficking Victims Under 18 Bill Passed - House (316 - 55)
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 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 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 5816 Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
11/19 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37)
11/19 HR 5084 Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (281 - 135)
11/18 HB 1890 Requires a Funeral for, or the Cremation of, Abortion Remains Bill Passed - House (123 - 76)
11/13 SB 667 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply Bill Passed - House (100 - 13)
11/13 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
11/12 AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
11/12 AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
11/07 AB 304 Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
11/06 SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
11/05 HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
11/05 HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - House (57 - 49)
11/05 HB 5120 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (100 - 8)
10/30 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51)
10/30 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
10/30 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
10/30 HB 4916 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
10/30 HB 3904 Authorizes Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for Use of Their Name, Image, or Likeness Bill Passed - House (86 - 25)
10/29 SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
10/29 H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
9/26 HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
9/25 HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
9/24 HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51)
9/13 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
9/13 SB 61 Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
9/12 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
9/12 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
9/11 SB 172 Amends Firearm Storage Regulations Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
9/10 AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23)
9/10 SB 329 Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
9/09 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
9/09 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
9/09 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
9/09 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
8/15 SB 192 Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police (63 - 5)
7/31 SB 199 Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (92 - 15)
7/25 HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)
7/24 HR 3239 Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 195)
7/23 H Res 246 Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel Bill Passed - House (398 - 17)
7/16 H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
7/16 H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
7/12 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
7/01 SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
6/30 SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
6/27 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
6/27 SB 44 Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense Bill Passed - House (34 - 6)
6/27 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
6/26 SB 47 Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/26 HB 135 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities Bill Passed - House (65 - 52)
6/25 HB 77 Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
6/25 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)

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