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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | OH | HB 410 | Establishes Monetary Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets Going to Trial | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 5247 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (259 - 140) |
| March 20, 2018 | DE | HB 330 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
| March 19, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 18, 2018 | IL | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 15, 2018 | KS | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 15, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 15, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 15, 2018 | MO | HB 1578 | Limits Circumstances Under Which Lawsuits May Be Joined | Bill Passed - House (104 - 47) |
| March 15, 2018 | AL | HB 225 | Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (69 - 20) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 13, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - House (57 - 12) |
| March 12, 2018 | IN | SB 12 | Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - House (45 - 22) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | MI | HB 5531 | Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (93 - 14) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| March 7, 2018 | SD | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| March 7, 2018 | MS | HB 1083 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| March 7, 2018 | FL | SB 7026 | Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| March 7, 2018 | NH | HB 1319 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2578 | Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| March 6, 2018 | OK | HB 2632 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (62 - 21) |
| March 6, 2018 | OK | HB 2632 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (62 - 21) |
| March 5, 2018 | FL | SB 7026 | Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | HB 4111 | Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| March 2, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 1, 2018 | MS | HB 1479 | Amends Bail License Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| March 1, 2018 | WA | HB 2578 | Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| March 1, 2018 | AL | HB 14 | Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws | Bill Passed - House (44 - 42) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | WA | HB 1513 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | SB 1657 | Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms | Bill Passed - House (64 - 52) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - House (64 - 51) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | HB 1467 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (83 - 31) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | IN | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | OR | HB 4135 | Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 5996 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements | Bill Passed - House (98 - 0) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | IN | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | OR | HB 4145 | Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | WA | SB 6052 | Repeals Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | WA | SB 6052 | Repeals Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 16, 2018 | OR | HB 4135 | Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | National | S Amdt 1959 | Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | National | S Amdt 1958 | Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | National | S Amdt 1948 | Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | National | S Amdt 1955 | Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | National | HR 620 | ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (225 - 192) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | AL | HB 34 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (40 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | OR | HB 4145 | Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| Feb. 14, 2018 | SD | HB 1106 | Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
| Feb. 12, 2018 | WA | HB 1513 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WA | SB 6298 | Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WA | SB 6298 | Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | NH | HB 587 | Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | MS | HB 1083 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property | Bill Passed - House (80 - 29) |
| Feb. 2, 2018 | KS | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (76 - 44) |
| Jan. 25, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Jan. 19, 2018 | WA | SB 5766 | Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | CA | AB 282 | Amends the End of Life Option Act | Bill Passed - House (45 - 17) |
| Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 6001 | Repeals Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (83 - 18) |
| Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
| Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
| Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
| Jan. 3, 2018 | NH | HB 372 | Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |