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 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 7, 2017 MS HB 1090 Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 7, 2017 HI HB 2 Authorizes Tiny Houses for Farm Workers Bill Passed - House (41 - 10)
March 6, 2017 WA SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 6, 2017 KY SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 3, 2017 KY HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
March 1, 2017 SC H 3516 Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (97 - 18)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1441 Establishes Arbitration Process for Unexpected Medical Billing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 8, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
Feb. 8, 2017 MS HB 1090 Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
Feb. 7, 2017 National PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
Feb. 6, 2017 IA SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
Feb. 6, 2017 ND HB 1193 Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony Bill Passed - House (72 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2017 ND HB 1329 Prohibits Safe Spaces at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
Feb. 3, 2017 National PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 2, 2017 MD HB 1106 Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2017 IA SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 31, 2017 MD HB 1106 Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51)
Jan. 24, 2017 VA HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Oct. 20, 2016 NJ A 2451 Authorizes Physicians to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - House (41 - 29)
Oct. 7, 2016 NJ A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27)
Oct. 7, 2016 NJ A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 28, 2016 National HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85)
Sept. 28, 2016 National HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
Sept. 15, 2016 National HR 5351 To Prohibit the Transfer of Any Individual Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Bill Passed - House (244 - 174)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1414 Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1414 Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 46)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Aug. 29, 2016 CA AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32)
Aug. 29, 2016 CA SB 1069 Amends Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units Bill Passed - House (55 - 23)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 19, 2016 AL SB 3 Establishes State Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 17, 2016 CA AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Aug. 17, 2016 CA AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 29, 2016 National S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/07 HB 1090 Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/07 HB 2 Authorizes Tiny Houses for Farm Workers Bill Passed - House (41 - 10)
3/06 SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/06 SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/03 HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
3/01 H 3516 Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (97 - 18)
3/01 SB 1441 Establishes Arbitration Process for Unexpected Medical Billing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/22 SB 1367 Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/10 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/08 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
2/08 HB 1090 Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
2/07 PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
2/06 SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
2/06 HB 1193 Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony Bill Passed - House (72 - 19)
2/06 HB 1329 Prohibits Safe Spaces at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
2/03 PN 37 Nomination of Elisabeth Prince DeVos to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 48)
2/02 HB 1106 Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
2/02 SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/31 HB 1106 Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51)
1/24 HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
10/20 A 2451 Authorizes Physicians to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - House (41 - 29)
10/07 A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27)
10/07 A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/28 HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85)
9/28 HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
9/15 HR 5351 To Prohibit the Transfer of Any Individual Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Bill Passed - House (244 - 174)
9/14 HB 1414 Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
9/14 HB 1414 Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 46)
9/14 SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38)
9/14 SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
8/31 AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26)
8/31 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/31 AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
8/29 AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32)
8/29 SB 1069 Amends Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units Bill Passed - House (55 - 23)
8/25 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/24 SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/23 AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20)
8/23 AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21)
8/22 SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
8/22 AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/19 SB 3 Establishes State Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/17 AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
8/17 AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/29 S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)

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