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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 25, 2014 | FL | HB 1047 | Amends Definition of Fetal Viability | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| April 15, 2014 | OK | HB 2684 | Limits the Use of Certain Abortion-Inducing Drugs to FDA Approved Protocol | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5) |
| April 14, 2014 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
| April 9, 2014 | AZ | HB 2284 | Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 2, 2014 | AL | HB 489 | Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| April 1, 2014 | MS | HB 1400 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 10) |
| March 13, 2014 | TN | SJR 626 | Authorizes Individuals Paying School Fees to Determine Allocation of Fees to Student Organizations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| 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 3, 2014 | GA | SB 98 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | NH | SB 319 | Establishes a Buffer Zone around Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | MS | S Amdt 7 | Prohibits Abortion Counseling in Pregnancy Prevention Programs | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 23) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | VA | SB 617 | Repeals Requirement for an Ultrasound Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | MS | SB 2563 | Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| 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) |
| Dec. 11, 2013 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 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 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 18, 2013 | TX | SB 5 | Increases Abortion Facility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| June 12, 2013 | WI | SB 206 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 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 7, 2013 | MO | HB 400 | Establishes Requirements for the Administration of Abortion-Inducing Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 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 - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 15, 2013 | ND | HB 1456 | Prohibits Abortions if Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17) |
| March 15, 2013 | ND | HB 1305 | Prohibits Sex and Genetic Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| March 7, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28) |
| March 5, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | SD | HB 1237 | Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 142 | Prohibits Civil Action Lawsuits Concerning Abortion Consultation | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | UT | SB 60 | Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | ND | SB 2368 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | ND | SB 2303 | Defines a "Human Being" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | MS | SB 2795 | Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Prescriptions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| Feb. 8, 2013 | KY | SB 5 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | ND | SB 2305 | Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Have a State License | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | HB 5711 | Increases Requirements on Facilities that Provide Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 2348 | Authorizes Registered Nurses to Dispense Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| May 31, 2012 | LA | SB 708 | Amends Abortion Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| May 31, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 16, 2012 | NH | HB 217 | Prohibits Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
| April 27, 2012 | CO | SM 3 | Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| April 25, 2012 | AZ | HB 2625 | Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 9) |
| April 25, 2012 | NH | HB 1679 | Prohibits Partial Birth/Late Term Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| April 24, 2012 | TN | HB 3808 | Requires Publication of Abortion Statistics | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 24, 2012 | AZ | HB 2800 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| April 23, 2012 | MN | HF 2341 | Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Drugs In Person | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 25) |
| April 18, 2012 | MN | SF 1921 | Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 23) |
| April 12, 2012 | AZ | HB 2625 | Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 12, 2012 | IA | S 5206 | Prohibits State Funding For Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25) |
| April 11, 2012 | NE | LB 599 | Prenatal Care for Children of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 19) |
| March 29, 2012 | MO | SB 749 | Authorizes Employers to Exempt Contraception from Healthcare Coverage | (26 - 5) |
| March 28, 2012 | AZ | HB 2625 | Authorizes Employers to Refuse to Provide Coverage for Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| March 27, 2012 | AZ | HB 2036 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 26, 2012 | GA | HB 954 | Prohibits Abortions after 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| March 26, 2012 | VA | Saslaw Amdt | Requires Reimbursement of the Full Cost of Ultrasounds Required Prior to Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 20) |
| March 19, 2012 | ID | S 1387 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 7, 2012 | GA | SB 460 | Exempts Religious Employers from Insurance Requirements for Coverage of Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15) |
| March 7, 2012 | GA | SB 438 | Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18) |
| March 6, 2012 | UT | HB 363 | Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| March 6, 2012 | OK | SB 1274 | Requires physicians inform abortion patients of fetal heartbeat | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| March 6, 2012 | AZ | SB 1359 | Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | WI | SB 306 | Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Determine if the Woman's Consent is Voluntary | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | OK | SB 1433 | Defines life as beginning at conception | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | OK | SB 1433 | Defines life as beginning at conception | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | KY | SB 103 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | KY | SB 103 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | KY | SB 102 | Specifies Conditions for Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | KY | SB 102 | Specifies Conditions for Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Nov. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Oct. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 92 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Sept. 28, 2011 | MI | SB 160 | Bans Partial Birth/Late-Term Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Sept. 21, 2011 | MI | SB 160 | Bans Partial Birth/Late-Term Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| July 13, 2011 | OH | HB 78 | Restrictions on Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| June 30, 2011 | IA | HF 649 | Appropriations for Health and Human Services | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
| June 22, 2011 | NH | HB 329 | Revising Abortion Procedures for Unemancipated Minors | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| June 15, 2011 | NC | HB 854 | Abortion Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |