Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
June 2, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 26, 2016 CA SB 1146 Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 25, 2016 MI HB 4787 Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 25, 2016 OH SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 24, 2016 OH HB 110 Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 24, 2016 OH HB 110 Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 24, 2016 LA SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 21, 2016 MN SF 498 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17)
May 19, 2016 CA AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 19, 2016 IL HB 3655 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Contests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
May 19, 2016 CA SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 19, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 13, 2016 MO SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
May 13, 2016 AK SB 91 Amends Criminal Justice System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
May 12, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 5, 2016 NH HR 582 Repeals Permit Requirements for Concealed Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 4, 2016 LA SB 127 Authorizes Parole Hearings for Juveniles Serving Life Terms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 2, 2016 CA SB 1129 Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 25, 2016 CA SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
April 25, 2016 CA SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
April 22, 2016 IA HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 20, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 20, 2016 CT SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 19, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 19, 2016 TN SB 2376 Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
April 11, 2016 ME LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 7, 2016 AK SB 174 Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
April 7, 2016 AL SB 237 Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 5, 2016 IL SB 2465 Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
April 5, 2016 AL SB 14 Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 4, 2016 TN HB 1416 Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
April 4, 2016 TN HB 615 Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
March 30, 2016 MS HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 30, 2016 MS HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 24, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 24, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 24, 2016 NH SB 551 Authorizes a Casino in Salem Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 13)
March 23, 2016 NC HB 2 Requires Individuals to Use Bathroom of Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 23, 2016 NC HB 2 Requires Individuals to Use Bathroom of Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 17, 2016 MD SB 49 Amends the State Song Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 16, 2016 GA HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 16, 2016 GA HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 16, 2016 ID S 1389 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 15, 2016 KY HB 160 Establishes 1-for-1 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 15, 2016 KY SB 180 Authorizes Businesses to Decline to Perform Artistic or Spiritual Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 11, 2016 GA HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
March 10, 2016 MO SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/20 S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/26 SB 1146 Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/25 HB 4787 Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/25 SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/24 HB 110 Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/24 HB 110 Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/24 SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/21 SF 498 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17)
5/19 AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/19 HB 3655 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Contests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
5/19 SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/19 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/13 SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
5/13 SB 91 Amends Criminal Justice System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
5/12 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/05 HR 582 Repeals Permit Requirements for Concealed Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/04 SB 127 Authorizes Parole Hearings for Juveniles Serving Life Terms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/02 SB 1129 Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/25 SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
4/25 SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
4/22 HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/20 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/20 SB 147 Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/19 SB 2376 Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/13 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
4/11 LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/07 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/07 SB 174 Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
4/07 SB 237 Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/05 SB 2465 Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
4/05 SB 14 Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/04 HB 1416 Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
4/04 HB 615 Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
3/30 HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/30 HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/24 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/24 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/24 SB 551 Authorizes a Casino in Salem Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 13)
3/23 HB 2 Requires Individuals to Use Bathroom of Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/23 HB 2 Requires Individuals to Use Bathroom of Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/17 SB 49 Amends the State Song Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/16 HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/16 HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/16 S 1389 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/15 HB 160 Establishes 1-for-1 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/15 SB 180 Authorizes Businesses to Decline to Perform Artistic or Spiritual Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/11 HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
3/10 SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)

arrow_upward