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
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 500 Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Aug. 23, 2019 TN HR 7006 Alleges David Byrd Should be Expelled from the House of Representatives Resolution Sent To Committee - House (71 - 26)
Aug. 13, 2019 NC SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AB 711 Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Aug. 7, 2019 NC SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
July 25, 2019 National HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)
July 24, 2019 National HR 3239 Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 195)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
July 17, 2019 National H Res 497 Recommending that The House of Representatives Find William P. Barr, Attorney General of The United States, and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce, in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with Subpoenas Duly Issued by The Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
July 16, 2019 National H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 29, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
June 27, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 26, 2019 NC HB 135 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities Bill Passed - House (65 - 52)
June 25, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 19, 2019 National PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
June 18, 2019 NY S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - House (99 - 49)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 18, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
June 17, 2019 OR HB 3076 Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
June 17, 2019 NY A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
June 17, 2019 NY S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
June 17, 2019 ME LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - House (87 - 57)
June 14, 2019 NY S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
June 14, 2019 NY S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
June 12, 2019 NY A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (87 - 61)
June 11, 2019 National H Res 430 Authorizing the Committee on The Judiciary to Initiate or Intervene in Judicial Proceedings to Enforce Certain Subpoenas and For Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (229 - 191)
June 11, 2019 NY S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
June 11, 2019 NY S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
June 11, 2019 NY S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
June 11, 2019 NY S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 6, 2019 ME LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 54)
June 6, 2019 OR HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions (17 - 11)
June 6, 2019 ME LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (86 - 53)
June 5, 2019 NH SB 290 Amends Medicaid Work Requirements "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 143)
June 5, 2019 NH SB 279 Requires Health Insurers Cover Fertility Treatment "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (210 - 147)
June 5, 2019 NH SB 235 Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139)
June 5, 2019 WI AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 5, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - House (84 - 55)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/04 AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/04 AB 500 Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
8/23 HR 7006 Alleges David Byrd Should be Expelled from the House of Representatives Resolution Sent To Committee - House (71 - 26)
8/13 SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
8/12 AB 711 Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
8/07 SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
7/25 HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)
7/24 HR 3239 Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 195)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/17 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
7/17 H Res 497 Recommending that The House of Representatives Find William P. Barr, Attorney General of The United States, and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce, in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with Subpoenas Duly Issued by The Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
7/16 H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/29 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
6/27 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/26 HB 135 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities Bill Passed - House (65 - 52)
6/25 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/19 PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
6/18 S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - House (99 - 49)
6/18 LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/18 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
6/17 HB 3076 Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
6/17 A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
6/17 S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
6/17 LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - House (87 - 57)
6/14 S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
6/14 S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
6/12 A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (87 - 61)
6/11 H Res 430 Authorizing the Committee on The Judiciary to Initiate or Intervene in Judicial Proceedings to Enforce Certain Subpoenas and For Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (229 - 191)
6/11 S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
6/11 S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
6/11 S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
6/11 S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
6/10 LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
6/10 LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/10 LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/06 LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 54)
6/06 HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions (17 - 11)
6/06 LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (86 - 53)
6/05 SB 290 Amends Medicaid Work Requirements "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 143)
6/05 SB 279 Requires Health Insurers Cover Fertility Treatment "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (210 - 147)
6/05 SB 235 Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139)
6/05 AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/05 LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/05 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
6/05 LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - House (84 - 55)

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