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. 8, 2012 | KY | SB 102 | Specifies Conditions for Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| Feb. 6, 2012 | UT | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Jan. 31, 2012 | UT | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| Jan. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| Nov. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Sept. 8, 2011 | CA | SB 299 | Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| Sept. 8, 2011 | CA | SB 222 | Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | CA | SB 222 | Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | SB 299 | Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| May 23, 2011 | NJ | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| April 7, 2011 | ND | HB 1450 | Definition of Human Being | Bill Not Tabled - Senate (26 - 21) |
| April 5, 2011 | RI | S 87 | Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 29, 2011 | SC | H 3408 | Freedom of Conscience Act | Bill Passed - House (69 - 41) |
| March 17, 2011 | AR | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| March 3, 2011 | NJ | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | MT | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | National | H Amdt 95 | Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | National | H Amdt 95 | Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | TX | SB 16 | Abortion Procedures Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Feb. 11, 2011 | ND | HB 1450 | Definition of Human Being | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| Feb. 9, 2011 | WY | HB 256 | Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| Feb. 9, 2011 | SD | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
| Feb. 9, 2011 | WY | HB 251 | Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | SD | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | WY | HB 198 | Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases | Bill Failed - House (29 - 30) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | AR | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Nov. 17, 2010 | National | S 3772 | Paycheck Fairness Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41) |
| Sept. 22, 2010 | National | HR 3470 | Infant Mortality Pilot Programs | Bill Passed - House (324 - 64) |
| Sept. 20, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 26, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| Aug. 26, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| June 29, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| June 14, 2010 | LA | HB 1247 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| May 25, 2010 | OK | HB 3284 | Requiring Women Seeking Abortions to Answer Questionnaire | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| May 24, 2010 | OK | HB 3284 | Requiring Women Seeking Abortions to Answer Questionnaire | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| May 18, 2010 | LA | SB 528 | Requiring an Ultrasound for an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
| May 4, 2010 | CO | HB 1021 | Health Insurance Policy Coverage For Reproductive Services | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 28) |
| April 30, 2010 | FL | HB 1143 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasounds Requirement and Health Care Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 44) |
| April 28, 2010 | FL | Amdt 841564 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| April 27, 2010 | OK | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 26, 2010 | OK | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 88 | Health Risk Exemption from Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (17 - 67) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 87A | Non-Viability Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (19 - 66) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 89 | Rape and Incest Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (21 - 65) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/08 | SB 102 | Specifies Conditions for Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| 2/06 | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| 2/01 | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 1/31 | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 1/27 | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| 11/02 | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 9/08 | SB 299 | Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 9/08 | SB 222 | Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 9/07 | SB 222 | Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| 9/06 | SB 299 | Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| 5/23 | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 4/07 | HB 1450 | Definition of Human Being | Bill Not Tabled - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 4/05 | S 87 | Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| 3/29 | H 3408 | Freedom of Conscience Act | Bill Passed - House (69 - 41) |
| 3/17 | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| 3/03 | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 2/22 | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| 2/18 | H Amdt 95 | Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185) |
| 2/18 | H Amdt 95 | Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185) |
| 2/17 | SB 16 | Abortion Procedures Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 2/11 | HB 1450 | Definition of Human Being | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| 2/09 | HB 256 | Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| 2/09 | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
| 2/09 | HB 251 | Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| 2/08 | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| 2/07 | HB 198 | Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases | Bill Failed - House (29 - 30) |
| 1/27 | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 11/17 | S 3772 | Paycheck Fairness Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41) |
| 9/22 | HR 3470 | Infant Mortality Pilot Programs | Bill Passed - House (324 - 64) |
| 9/20 | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 8/26 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| 8/26 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| 8/25 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 8/25 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 6/29 | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| 6/28 | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 6/14 | HB 1247 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| 6/02 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| 6/02 | AB 1825 | Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| 5/25 | HB 3284 | Requiring Women Seeking Abortions to Answer Questionnaire | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 5/24 | HB 3284 | Requiring Women Seeking Abortions to Answer Questionnaire | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| 5/18 | SB 528 | Requiring an Ultrasound for an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
| 5/04 | HB 1021 | Health Insurance Policy Coverage For Reproductive Services | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 28) |
| 4/30 | HB 1143 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasounds Requirement and Health Care Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 44) |
| 4/28 | Amdt 841564 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 4/27 | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 4/26 | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 88 | Health Risk Exemption from Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (17 - 67) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 87A | Non-Viability Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (19 - 66) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 89 | Rape and Incest Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (21 - 65) |