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
June 3, 2024 NY A 1696 Expands Health Insurance Coverage for Breast Imaging Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
May 30, 2024 RI S 2225 Repeals Provisions that Estimate the Costs for Women Offenders that are Apart of a Community Corrections Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
May 26, 2024 IL HB 581 Establishes and Codifies the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act Into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
May 26, 2024 IL HB 4867 Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act by Adding Reproductive Health Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
May 25, 2024 IL HB 5142 Establishes the Birth Equity Initiative to Assist Mothers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 35)
May 23, 2024 IL HB 5142 Establishes the Birth Equity Initiative to Assist Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
May 23, 2024 IL HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 21, 2024 IL HB 581 Establishes and Codifies the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act Into State Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 36)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2439 Extends a 2-Year Window Beyond the Statue of Limitations for Individuals to Bring Civil Actions Against Another for Sexual Assault Claims Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
April 30, 2024 RI S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
April 30, 2024 RI S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
April 24, 2024 OH SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
April 18, 2024 IL HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
April 17, 2024 VA SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
April 17, 2024 VA SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
April 16, 2024 IL HB 4867 Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act by Adding Reproductive Health Decisions Bill Passed - House (72 - 39)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 870 Requires Law Enforcement Notify Sexual Assault Survivors at least 6 Weeks Before Destruction or Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 10, 2024 ID H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 10, 2024 ME LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (80 - 70)
April 8, 2024 MD SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 14, 2024 OK HB 3013 Prohibits the Use of Certain IVF Medications and Drugs Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
March 14, 2024 OK HB 3013 Prohibits the Use of Certain IVF Medications and Drugs Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
March 12, 2024 OK SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 12, 2024 OK HB 3329 Requires Menstrual Products be Available for 6-12 Grade Students in Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - House (55 - 35)
March 7, 2024 IA HF 2575 Increases Penalties for Intentionally or Unintentionally Ending a Pregnancy Without Consent Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
March 6, 2024 WV SB 601 Establishes the West Virginia Women's Bill of Right's Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
March 5, 2024 OR HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
March 5, 2024 National HR 3838 Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
March 5, 2024 National HR 3838 Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2024 WV SB 601 Establishes the West Virginia Women's Bill of Right's Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
Feb. 27, 2024 VA SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
Feb. 27, 2024 VA SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 170 Appropriates $5.75 Million to the Department of Corrections to Expand Health Care Services at the Pierre Women's Prison Bill Passed - House (66 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2024 VA SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2024 VA SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2024 IA SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 26, 2024 WV SB 575 Specifies Requirements for Surrogracy Agreements in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2024 OR HB 4146 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (54 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2024 IA SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2024 IA SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2024 NJ S 912 Increases Access to Personalized Care Plans as Part of Postpartum Support Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2024 ID H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2024 VA SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 6, 2024 VA SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2024 VA HB 110 Repeals the State Prohibition on For-Profit Surrogacy Brokers Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 1, 2024 VA HB 110 Repeals the State Prohibition on For-Profit Surrogacy Brokers Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Jan. 31, 2024 MS HB 539 Expands Eligibility for Ambulatory Prenatal Care Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 517 Prohibits a Victim or Witness Necessary for Prosecution in a Human Trafficking Case from being Excused from Testifying if Evidence would Degrade or Incriminate Them Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
Jan. 11, 2024 VT H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
Jan. 10, 2024 MA H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Bill Passed - House (38 - 23)
June 29, 2023 DE HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
June 27, 2023 DE HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - House (26 - 9)
June 27, 2023 ME LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
June 20, 2023 ME LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 66)
June 12, 2023 PA HB 664 Establishes a Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board Bill Passed - House (155 - 48)
June 1, 2023 CT SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (114 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/03 A 1696 Expands Health Insurance Coverage for Breast Imaging Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
5/30 S 2225 Repeals Provisions that Estimate the Costs for Women Offenders that are Apart of a Community Corrections Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
5/26 HB 581 Establishes and Codifies the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act Into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
5/26 HB 4867 Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act by Adding Reproductive Health Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
5/25 HB 5142 Establishes the Birth Equity Initiative to Assist Mothers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 35)
5/23 HB 5142 Establishes the Birth Equity Initiative to Assist Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
5/23 HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/21 HB 581 Establishes and Codifies the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act Into State Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 36)
5/01 SB 2439 Extends a 2-Year Window Beyond the Statue of Limitations for Individuals to Bring Civil Actions Against Another for Sexual Assault Claims Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
4/30 S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
4/30 S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
4/24 SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
4/18 HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
4/17 SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
4/17 SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
4/16 HB 4867 Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act by Adding Reproductive Health Decisions Bill Passed - House (72 - 39)
4/12 LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/11 LB 870 Requires Law Enforcement Notify Sexual Assault Survivors at least 6 Weeks Before Destruction or Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/10 H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/10 LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (80 - 70)
4/08 SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
3/19 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/14 HB 3013 Prohibits the Use of Certain IVF Medications and Drugs Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
3/14 HB 3013 Prohibits the Use of Certain IVF Medications and Drugs Bill Passed - House (77 - 18)
3/12 SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/12 HB 3329 Requires Menstrual Products be Available for 6-12 Grade Students in Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - House (55 - 35)
3/07 HF 2575 Increases Penalties for Intentionally or Unintentionally Ending a Pregnancy Without Consent Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
3/06 SB 601 Establishes the West Virginia Women's Bill of Right's Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
3/05 HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
3/05 HR 3838 Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
3/05 HR 3838 Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
2/28 SB 601 Establishes the West Virginia Women's Bill of Right's Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
2/27 SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
2/27 SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
2/27 SB 170 Appropriates $5.75 Million to the Department of Corrections to Expand Health Care Services at the Pierre Women's Prison Bill Passed - House (66 - 4)
2/27 SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/27 SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/26 SB 575 Specifies Requirements for Surrogracy Agreements in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
2/21 HB 4146 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (54 - 0)
2/20 SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/19 SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/12 S 912 Increases Access to Personalized Care Plans as Part of Postpartum Support Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/07 H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/06 SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/06 SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/01 HB 110 Repeals the State Prohibition on For-Profit Surrogacy Brokers Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/01 HB 110 Repeals the State Prohibition on For-Profit Surrogacy Brokers Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
1/31 HB 539 Expands Eligibility for Ambulatory Prenatal Care Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
1/25 SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 SB 517 Prohibits a Victim or Witness Necessary for Prosecution in a Human Trafficking Case from being Excused from Testifying if Evidence would Degrade or Incriminate Them Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/18 HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
1/18 HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
1/11 H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
1/10 H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
11/09 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/07 SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/01 SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
7/06 LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/30 S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/30 S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Bill Passed - House (38 - 23)
6/29 HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
6/27 HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - House (26 - 9)
6/27 LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
6/21 LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
6/20 LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 66)
6/12 HB 664 Establishes a Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board Bill Passed - House (155 - 48)
6/01 SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (114 - 34)

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