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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 12, 2018 | MI | SB 741 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 11, 2018 | OH | SB 231 | Establishes Database of Violent Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2) |
| April 6, 2018 | OK | HB 3375 | Authorizes Sports Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
| April 4, 2018 | IA | SF 481 | Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | SB 101 | Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | SB 101 | Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 447 | Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| March 30, 2018 | MD | HB 908 | Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| March 30, 2018 | VT | S 55 | Amends Various State Gun Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 482 | Authorizes Couples to Enter Into Legally Binding Agreements with Surrogate Mothers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 22, 2018 | NH | SB 569 | Amends Pet Vendor Regulations | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| March 21, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | NY | S 3698 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| March 18, 2018 | IL | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | MD | SB 790 | Repeals State Song | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| March 15, 2018 | KS | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 15, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 13, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| March 13, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| March 12, 2018 | IN | SB 12 | Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 448 | Amends Indecent Exposure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 7, 2018 | FL | HB 7067 | Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 7, 2018 | MS | HB 1083 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| March 6, 2018 | MS | HB 1510 | Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 6, 2018 | VA | HB 1257 | Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| March 6, 2018 | IN | HB 1203 | Amends Fertility Clinic Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 5, 2018 | FL | SB 7026 | Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| March 3, 2018 | WA | SB 6219 | Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 3, 2018 | WA | SB 5722 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| March 2, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 1, 2018 | MS | HB 1479 | Amends Bail License Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| March 1, 2018 | WA | HB 2578 | Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | WA | HB 1513 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | IN | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | OR | HB 4135 | Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | IN | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| 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 | 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 | AZ | SB 1393 | Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | WA | SB 6052 | Repeals Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| 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. 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 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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) |
| 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) |
| Oct. 26, 2017 | MA | S 2200 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 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. 12, 2017 | CA | AB 569 | Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Aug. 13, 2017 | TX | HB 214 | Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |