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
Feb. 13, 2019 MS SB 2116 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2019 MT SB 100 Requires Abortion Providers Offer Patients an Ultrasound Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2019 MT SB 100 Requires Abortion Providers Offer Patients an Ultrasound Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 7, 2019 AR SB 149 Establishes The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ S 1784 Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Jan. 11, 2019 KY SB 50 Requires Reporting of Abortion Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Dec. 27, 2018 OH HB 258 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 13)
Dec. 12, 2018 OH HB 258 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
May 16, 2018 LA SB 181 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
May 1, 2018 IA SF 359 Prohibits Abortion After a Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 1, 2018 LA SB 534 Amends "Crime of Violence" to Include Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
May 1, 2018 LA SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
April 23, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
March 30, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 29, 2018 TN HB 2251 Prohibits State Funding for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
March 22, 2018 KY HB 454 Prohibits Abortion After 11 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate
March 14, 2018 ID HB 638 Requires Additional Abortion Complications Reporting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 7, 2018 IN SB 340 Amends Abortion Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 6, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 6, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 3, 2018 WA SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 3, 2018 WA SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2018 IA SF 2281 Prohibits Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat Detection Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1394 Amends Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2018 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2018 ID S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 20, 2018 ID S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2018 WV SJR 12 Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 25, 2018 MA S 2260 Repeals State-Level Law Prohibiting Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Jan. 17, 2018 OH SB 28 Requires Abortion Providers Bury or Cremate Fetal Remains Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Dec. 13, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Dec. 13, 2017 OH HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Nov. 15, 2017 OH SB 164 Prohibits Abortions Based on Down Syndrome Diagnosis Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Aug. 13, 2017 TX HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Aug. 13, 2017 TX HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
July 5, 2017 OR HB 3391 Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
June 28, 2017 OH SB 145 Prohibits Dilation-and-Evacuation Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
May 10, 2017 IL HB 40 Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
May 9, 2017 DE SB 5 Authorizes Abortions Before the Point of Viability Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 7)
April 27, 2017 MI SB 163 Authorizes "Choose Life" License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 20, 2017 IA HF 653 Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 8, 2017 WV HB 2002 Amends Notification Requirements for Abortions Performed on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 3, 2017 NE LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 3, 2017 NE LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
March 30, 2017 National H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 258 Authorizes Burial or Cremation of Fetal Tissue After Abortion or Miscarriage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 29, 2017 AZ SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 20 Prohibits Coverage of Abortion by Some Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 25, 2017 MT SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 25, 2017 MT SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 24, 2017 MD SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 22, 2017 IA SF 359 Prohibits Abortion After a Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
March 21, 2017 TX SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 20, 2017 AR HB 1434 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
March 14, 2017 IA SF 471 Prohibits Abortion After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 8, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 8, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Feb. 24, 2017 MT SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2017 MT SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2017 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2017 NH SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2017 VA HB 2264 Prohibits State Funding of Abortion Services (20 - 19)
Feb. 8, 2017 PA SB 3 Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Prior to 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Jan. 7, 2017 KY HB 2 Requires Ultrasound 24 Hours Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Dec. 6, 2016 OH HB 493 Prohibits Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat Detection Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 25, 2016 MI HB 4787 Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/13 SB 2116 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/12 SB 100 Requires Abortion Providers Offer Patients an Ultrasound Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/12 SB 100 Requires Abortion Providers Offer Patients an Ultrasound Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/07 SB 149 Establishes The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
1/31 S 1784 Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
1/11 SB 50 Requires Reporting of Abortion Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
12/27 HB 258 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 13)
12/12 HB 258 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
5/16 SB 181 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
5/01 SF 359 Prohibits Abortion After a Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/01 SB 534 Amends "Crime of Violence" to Include Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
5/01 SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
4/23 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
3/30 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/29 HB 2251 Prohibits State Funding for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
3/22 HB 454 Prohibits Abortion After 11 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate
3/14 HB 638 Requires Additional Abortion Complications Reporting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/07 SB 340 Amends Abortion Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/06 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/06 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/03 SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/03 SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/28 SF 2281 Prohibits Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat Detection Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/22 SB 1394 Amends Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/22 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/20 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/20 S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/20 S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/09 SJR 12 Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/01 S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/25 S 2260 Repeals State-Level Law Prohibiting Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
1/17 SB 28 Requires Abortion Providers Bury or Cremate Fetal Remains Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
12/13 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
12/13 HB 214 Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
11/15 SB 164 Prohibits Abortions Based on Down Syndrome Diagnosis Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
9/12 AB 569 Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
8/13 HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
8/13 HB 214 Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
7/25 SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
7/25 SB 10 Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
7/05 HB 3391 Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
6/28 SB 145 Prohibits Dilation-and-Evacuation Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
5/10 HB 40 Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
5/09 SB 5 Authorizes Abortions Before the Point of Viability Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 7)
4/27 SB 163 Authorizes "Choose Life" License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/20 HF 653 Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/08 HB 2002 Amends Notification Requirements for Abortions Performed on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/03 LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/03 LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
3/30 H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
3/30 SB 258 Authorizes Burial or Cremation of Fetal Tissue After Abortion or Miscarriage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/29 SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/27 SB 20 Prohibits Coverage of Abortion by Some Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/25 SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/25 SB 329 Prohibits Abortion 20 Weeks After Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/24 SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/22 SF 359 Prohibits Abortion After a Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
3/21 SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/20 HB 1434 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
3/14 SF 471 Prohibits Abortion After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/08 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/08 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/28 SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
2/24 SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/24 SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/22 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/16 SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
2/14 HB 2264 Prohibits State Funding of Abortion Services (20 - 19)
2/08 SB 3 Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Prior to 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
1/07 HB 2 Requires Ultrasound 24 Hours Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
12/06 HB 493 Prohibits Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat Detection Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/25 HB 4787 Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)

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