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
March 12, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 11, 2014 SD HB 1162 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
March 10, 2014 SD HB 1162 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 8, 2014 WV HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
March 5, 2014 OK SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 490 Prohibits an Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 489 Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (76 - 23)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 493 Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
March 4, 2014 AZ HB 2284 Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
March 3, 2014 GA SB 98 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2014 OK HB 2418 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Privileges at Nearby Hospital Bill Passed - House (73 - 9)
Feb. 25, 2014 WV HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (79 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2014 NH SB 319 Establishes a Buffer Zone around Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2014 MS H Amdt 1 Exempts Pregnancies that Result from Rape or Incest from 20 Week Abortion Prohibition Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
Feb. 13, 2014 MS HB 1400 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS S Amdt 7 Prohibits Abortion Counseling in Pregnancy Prevention Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 23)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
Feb. 11, 2014 IA HF 2175 Prohibits Webcam Abortions Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 11, 2014 VA SB 617 Repeals Requirement for an Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 5, 2014 WA HB 2148 Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 5, 2014 KY SB 8 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 292 Expands Requirements for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Jan. 28, 2014 National HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
Jan. 27, 2014 NY A 8070 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 43)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
Aug. 30, 2013 CA AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 25, 2013 NC SB 353 Authorizes Regulations for Abortion Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
July 12, 2013 TX HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
July 11, 2013 NC SB 353 Authorizes Regulations for Abortion Services Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
July 10, 2013 TX HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (96 - 49)
July 3, 2013 NC HB 695 Amends Abortion Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
July 2, 2013 NC SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
June 27, 2013 NC SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)
June 24, 2013 TX SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (95 - 34)
June 18, 2013 National HR 1797 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
June 18, 2013 TX SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 13, 2013 WI SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 217 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 12, 2013 WI SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
May 28, 2013 CA AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
May 23, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
May 22, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
May 22, 2013 IL HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
May 16, 2013 NC HB 730 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 39)
May 13, 2013 MO HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 39)
May 7, 2013 MO HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
May 7, 2013 NC HB 716 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
May 3, 2013 CO HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 1, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 23, 2013 PA HB 818 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (144 - 53)
April 18, 2013 MO HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Bill Passed - House (115 - 39)
April 17, 2013 IL HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (66 - 52)
April 16, 2013 OK HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
April 11, 2013 IN SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
April 9, 2013 AK SB 49 Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 5, 2013 KS HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
April 5, 2013 KS HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
April 2, 2013 AL HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 21)
April 2, 2013 IN SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
April 2, 2013 AL HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 19, 2013 AR SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
March 15, 2013 ND HB 1305 Prohibits Sex and Genetic Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
March 15, 2013 ND HB 1456 Prohibits Abortions if Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
March 12, 2013 UT SB 60 Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
March 12, 2013 OK HB 1361 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (81 - 13)
March 12, 2013 OK HB 1588 Requires Parental Approval Before an Abortion is Performed on a Minor Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
March 12, 2013 OK HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - House (79 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/12 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/11 HB 1162 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
3/10 HB 1162 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/08 HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
3/05 SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/04 HB 490 Prohibits an Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (73 - 29)
3/04 HB 489 Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (76 - 23)
3/04 HB 493 Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
3/04 HB 2284 Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
3/03 SB 98 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
2/27 HB 2418 Requires Abortion Providers to Have Privileges at Nearby Hospital Bill Passed - House (73 - 9)
2/25 HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (79 - 17)
2/19 SB 319 Establishes a Buffer Zone around Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
2/13 H Amdt 1 Exempts Pregnancies that Result from Rape or Incest from 20 Week Abortion Prohibition Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
2/13 HB 1400 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
2/11 S Amdt 7 Prohibits Abortion Counseling in Pregnancy Prevention Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 23)
2/11 SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
2/11 HF 2175 Prohibits Webcam Abortions Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/11 SB 617 Repeals Requirement for an Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/05 HB 2148 Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/05 SB 8 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/04 SB 292 Expands Requirements for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
1/28 HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
1/27 A 8070 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 43)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
8/30 AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
8/26 AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/25 SB 353 Authorizes Regulations for Abortion Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
7/12 HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
7/11 SB 353 Authorizes Regulations for Abortion Services Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
7/10 HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (96 - 49)
7/03 HB 695 Amends Abortion Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
7/02 SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
6/27 SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)
6/24 SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (95 - 34)
6/18 HR 1797 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
6/18 SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/13 SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
6/13 AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/13 AB 217 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/13 AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/12 SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
5/28 AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
5/23 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
5/22 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24)
5/22 HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
5/16 HB 730 Amends Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 39)
5/13 HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 39)
5/07 HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
5/07 HB 716 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
5/03 HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/01 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
4/23 AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/23 HB 818 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (144 - 53)
4/18 HB 400 Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Bill Passed - House (115 - 39)
4/17 HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (66 - 52)
4/16 HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
4/11 SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/09 SB 49 Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/05 HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
4/05 HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
4/02 HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 21)
4/02 SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
4/02 HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/19 SB 417 Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
3/18 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/18 HB 1154 Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women Bill Passed - House (50 - 14)
3/15 HB 1305 Prohibits Sex and Genetic Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
3/15 HB 1456 Prohibits Abortions if Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
3/12 SB 60 Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
3/12 HB 1361 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (81 - 13)
3/12 HB 1588 Requires Parental Approval Before an Abortion is Performed on a Minor Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
3/12 HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - House (79 - 15)

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