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 5, 2024 National S 4381 Right to Contraception Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 39)
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 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 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 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 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 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
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 12, 2024 OK SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 5, 2024 OR HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
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 - 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 WV SB 575 Specifies Requirements for Surrogracy Agreements in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
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. 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)
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. 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)
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 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill 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)
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 29, 2023 DE HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
June 1, 2023 NE LB 227 Amend Provisions Relating to Public Health and Welfare Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
May 25, 2023 CT HJ 34 Establishes a Joint Resolution Recognizing the Harm Done by the Salem Witch Trials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
May 25, 2023 CT SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
April 29, 2023 ND SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
April 29, 2023 ND SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
April 24, 2023 IA HF 425 Amends the Newborn Safe Haven Act Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
April 21, 2023 MN HF 366 Prohibits State Extradition of Any Individual Seeking or Assisting in an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 29)
April 20, 2023 NV SB 263 Authorizes Affordable Housing Grants to Women Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
April 19, 2023 NV SB 131 Prohibits Arrest of Any Individual Charged in Another State for Receiving Reproductive Healthcare Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
April 18, 2023 VT H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 17, 2023 NV SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 MT SB 516 Requires Health Insurance Cover Initial Cost of Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
April 3, 2023 FL SB 300 Prohibits Abortions After 6 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
March 31, 2023 IL SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
March 31, 2023 IL SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
March 20, 2023 MD SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
March 17, 2023 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 14, 2023 NM HB 134 Requires Menstrual Products in Public School Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 14, 2023 NM HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 14, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 7, 2023 HI SB 1 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 7, 2023 WA SB 5171 Repeals Gender-Based Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2023 PA SB 8 Repeals All Patient's Share Costs Associated with Mammograms and Screenings for Breast and Ovarian Cancers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
March 1, 2023 WY HB 4 Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage from 2 to 12 Months Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 1, 2023 WY HB 152 Expands Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2023 ND SB 2129 Appropriates $8 Million in State Funding for Faith Based "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
Feb. 9, 2023 SC S 474 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2023 ND SB 2150 Amends and Updates State Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY S 348 Appropriates Funding to Support Abortion Centers and Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/05 S 4381 Right to Contraception Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 39)
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)
5/23 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)
5/01 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)
4/12 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)
4/08 SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
3/19 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
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)
3/12 SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/05 HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
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 - Senate (21 - 19)
2/27 SB 237 Requires Health Insurance Providers Cover Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 SB 575 Specifies Requirements for Surrogracy Agreements in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
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)
2/06 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)
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)
1/25 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)
11/07 SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill 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)
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)
6/29 HB 65 Authorizes Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
6/21 LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
6/01 LB 227 Amend Provisions Relating to Public Health and Welfare Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
5/25 HJ 34 Establishes a Joint Resolution Recognizing the Harm Done by the Salem Witch Trials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
5/25 SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
4/29 SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
4/29 SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
4/24 HF 425 Amends the Newborn Safe Haven Act Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
4/21 HF 366 Prohibits State Extradition of Any Individual Seeking or Assisting in an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 29)
4/20 SB 263 Authorizes Affordable Housing Grants to Women Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
4/19 SB 131 Prohibits Arrest of Any Individual Charged in Another State for Receiving Reproductive Healthcare Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
4/18 H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/17 SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/04 SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 516 Requires Health Insurance Cover Initial Cost of Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
4/03 SB 300 Prohibits Abortions After 6 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
3/31 SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
3/31 SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
3/20 SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
3/17 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/14 HB 134 Requires Menstrual Products in Public School Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/14 HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/14 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/07 SB 1 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/07 SB 5171 Repeals Gender-Based Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 SB 8 Repeals All Patient's Share Costs Associated with Mammograms and Screenings for Breast and Ovarian Cancers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/01 HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
3/01 HB 4 Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage from 2 to 12 Months Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/01 HB 152 Expands Abortion Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/20 SB 2129 Appropriates $8 Million in State Funding for Faith Based "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
2/09 S 474 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/31 SB 2150 Amends and Updates State Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
1/24 A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
1/24 S 348 Appropriates Funding to Support Abortion Centers and Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)

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