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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
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 15, 2017 TX SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 13, 2017 NJ A 3091 Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
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 KY SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
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 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 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 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
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. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 24, 2017 MT SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2017 SD SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2017 AZ SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
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. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2017 NJ S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 6, 2017 VA SB 1262 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Civil Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 2, 2017 WY SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2017 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2017 MS SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Jan. 23, 2017 VA SB 1055 Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2017 MT SB 26 Reduces Penalty for Non-Violent Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
Jan. 10, 2017 ND SB 2043 Amends Marriage Definition and Terminology Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 31)
Jan. 7, 2017 KY HB 2 Requires Ultrasound 24 Hours Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
3/15 SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/13 A 3091 Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/08 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
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)
3/06 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 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)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/28 SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
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)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/24 SB 282 Prohibits Abortion After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/22 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/22 SB 8 Establishes a Tiered System for Federal Family Planning Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 1142 Classifies Rioting as a Type of Racketeering Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/22 SB 149 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/22 SB 1350 Revises Arizona Statutes Related to Terrorism Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/16 SB 66 Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 S 3006 Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/06 SB 1262 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Civil Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/02 SF 153 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in the Workplace Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
2/01 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
1/26 SB 2469 Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
1/23 SB 1055 Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26)
1/19 SB 22 Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
1/19 SB 29 Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
1/19 SB 26 Reduces Penalty for Non-Violent Sexual Assault Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
1/10 SB 2043 Amends Marriage Definition and Terminology Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 31)
1/07 HB 2 Requires Ultrasound 24 Hours Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)

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