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 4, 2017 | SC | H 3864 | Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats | Bill Passed - House (75 - 28) |
| April 4, 2017 | OR | HB 2004 | Prohibits Landlords from Evicting a Tenant without Cause | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (142 - 56) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 54) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 275 | Prohibits Use of Red-Light Cameras for Issuing Traffic Tickets | Bill Passed - House (125 - 30) |
| 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 | MN | SF 800 | Establishes Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 30) |
| March 31, 2017 | ND | HB 1329 | Authorizes Free Speech at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 37) |
| March 31, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 54) |
| March 30, 2017 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes a Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 32) |
| March 30, 2017 | NC | HB 142 | Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 30, 2017 | OH | HB 114 | Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 3 | Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 30, 2017 | MT | SB 354 | Raises Cigarette Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 29, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 29, 2017 | AZ | SB 1367 | Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 29, 2017 | AZ | SB 1367 | Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 29, 2017 | KY | HB 128 | Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 29, 2017 | KY | HB 128 | Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| March 28, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 48) |
| March 28, 2017 | ND | HB 1310 | Amends Concealed Carry Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27) |
| March 28, 2017 | MN | SF 803 | Appropriates Funds to Various Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 15) |
| March 27, 2017 | MD | HB 1325 | Prohibits Fracking | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 27, 2017 | MD | HB 1325 | Prohibits Fracking | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | SJR 141 | Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| March 26, 2017 | NC | HB 174 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| 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 23, 2017 | FL | HB 7007 | Authorizes Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (77 - 37) |
| March 23, 2017 | VT | S 96 | Establishes Protections For Journalists | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| March 23, 2017 | TN | SB 0902 | Imposes a $200 Fine for Obstructing Roads | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| March 22, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| March 21, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (96 - 0) |
| March 21, 2017 | OK | HB 1549 | Prohibits Abortions Based on Genetic Abnormalities | Bill Passed - House (67 - 16) |
| March 20, 2017 | CA | AB 18 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks | Bill Passed - House (59 - 19) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | HB 241 | Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - House (60 - 0) |
| March 15, 2017 | KY | HB 520 | Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| March 15, 2017 | KY | HB 520 | Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 15, 2017 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes a Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Program | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 121 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 252 | Enacts End of Life Options Act | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 22) |
| March 14, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 13, 2017 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes a Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Program | Bill Passed - House (78 - 53) |
| 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 | AZ | SB 1441 | Establishes Arbitration Process for Unexpected Medical Billing | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| March 1, 2017 | SC | H 3516 | Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure | Bill Passed - House (97 - 18) |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 1887 | Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| 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 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Aug. 17, 2016 | CA | AB 1887 | Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 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) |
| June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Bill Passed - House (53 - 23) |