Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 14, 2016 National PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
March 10, 2016 MO SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 8, 2016 FL SB 668 Amends Divorce and Child Custody Procedures Bill Passed - House (74 - 38)
March 8, 2016 IA SF 2284 Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 8, 2016 HI SB 2615 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
March 7, 2016 UT SB 179 Authorizes State to Enforce Payment of Child Support Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
March 3, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
March 3, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 49)
March 3, 2016 IL HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 3, 2016 OR SB 1533 Authorizes Inclusionary Zoning Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
March 3, 2016 FL HB 43 Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 3, 2016 MS SB 2306 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
March 3, 2016 MD HB 274 Repeals Witness Requirement for Uncontested Divorces Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
March 3, 2016 OK HB 3162 Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges Bill Passed - House (58 - 34)
March 2, 2016 UT SB 107 Amends Definition of a Hate Crime Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
March 2, 2016 IA SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 2, 2016 FL HB 43 Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 37)
March 1, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 29, 2016 GA SB 6 Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
Feb. 29, 2016 IA SF 2222 Authorizes Pharmacists to Dispense Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 26, 2016 GA HB 781 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies Bill Passed - House (93 - 50)
Feb. 25, 2016 UT SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2016 FL SB 250 Requires Legal Presumption of Equal Time-Sharing for Parental Custody Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2016 IN SB 91 Authorizes Adopted Individuals to Access Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2016 CO SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2016 GA HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2016 ID H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2016 MS HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
Feb. 18, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
Feb. 18, 2016 KY SB 5 Establishes Separate Marriage License for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2016 IL HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI AB 450 Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 12, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2016 VA SB 41 Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2016 AL HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
Feb. 11, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2016 WA SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/14 PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
3/10 SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/08 SB 668 Amends Divorce and Child Custody Procedures Bill Passed - House (74 - 38)
3/08 SF 2284 Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/08 SB 2615 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
3/07 SB 179 Authorizes State to Enforce Payment of Child Support Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
3/03 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
3/03 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 49)
3/03 HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/03 SB 1533 Authorizes Inclusionary Zoning Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
3/03 HB 43 Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/03 SB 2306 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
3/03 HB 274 Repeals Witness Requirement for Uncontested Divorces Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
3/03 HB 3162 Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges Bill Passed - House (58 - 34)
3/02 SB 107 Amends Definition of a Hate Crime Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
3/02 SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/02 HB 43 Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 37)
3/01 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/29 SB 6 Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
2/29 SF 2222 Authorizes Pharmacists to Dispense Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/26 HB 781 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies Bill Passed - House (93 - 50)
2/25 SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/23 SB 250 Requires Legal Presumption of Equal Time-Sharing for Parental Custody Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/22 SB 91 Authorizes Adopted Individuals to Access Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/22 SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/22 SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/22 SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/19 HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
2/19 H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/19 HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
2/18 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
2/18 SB 5 Establishes Separate Marriage License for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
2/18 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/18 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
2/16 SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/16 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/16 HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
2/16 AB 450 Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/16 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
2/16 SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/12 SB 41 Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/11 HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
2/11 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/10 SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
2/09 SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)

arrow_upward