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 27, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 26, 2017 MS HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 43)
March 26, 2017 NC HB 174 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
March 23, 2017 IA HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 23, 2017 FL SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 22, 2017 VT HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 22, 2017 VT HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 20, 2017 IA HF 539 Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 17, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
March 16, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
March 16, 2017 National HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
March 16, 2017 TN HB 688 Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats Bill Passed - House (79 - 12)
March 15, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
March 15, 2017 NM SB 121 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (44 - 23)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 13, 2017 MO HB 441 Establishes Protections for Student Journalists Bill Passed - House (148 - 6)
March 10, 2017 National HR 720 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 188)
March 10, 2017 SC H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
March 9, 2017 National HR 985 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (220 - 201)
March 9, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
March 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 8, 2017 MN HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
March 7, 2017 KY HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 7, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 7, 2017 WA HB 1371 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
March 6, 2017 KY SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 4, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 2, 2017 MS HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 2, 2017 UT HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
March 2, 2017 UT HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2017 MO SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2017 ID HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
March 2, 2017 ID HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
March 1, 2017 GA HB 51 Classifies University Staff as Mandated Reporters Bill Passed - House (115 - 55)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
Feb. 23, 2017 MN HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (72 - 58)
Feb. 23, 2017 SD HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
Feb. 22, 2017 NV IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/27 SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/26 HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 43)
3/26 HB 174 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
3/23 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/23 SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/22 HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/22 HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/20 HF 539 Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/17 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
3/16 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (55 - 38)
3/16 HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
3/16 HB 688 Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats Bill Passed - House (79 - 12)
3/15 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
3/15 SB 121 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (44 - 23)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/13 HB 441 Establishes Protections for Student Journalists Bill Passed - House (148 - 6)
3/10 HR 720 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 188)
3/10 H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
3/09 HR 985 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (220 - 201)
3/09 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/08 HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38)
3/07 HB 14 Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/07 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/07 HB 1371 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
3/06 SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/04 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/02 HB 638 Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/02 HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
3/02 HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 SB 43 Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
3/02 HB 202 Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
3/01 HB 51 Classifies University Staff as Mandated Reporters Bill Passed - House (115 - 55)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/23 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
2/23 HF 3 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (72 - 58)
2/23 HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
2/22 IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)

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