Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 8, 2017 | National | PN 30 | Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 7, 2017 | National | PN 30 | Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General | Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1426 | Classifies Riots Involving More than 100 Individuals as a Class B Felony | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1293 | Authorizes Law Enforcement to Issue Citations for Trespassing | Bill Passed - House (85 - 6) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1193 | Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony | Bill Passed - House (72 - 19) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | MS | HB 645 | Classifies Killing of First Responders as First-Degree Murder | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1304 | Prohibits Wearing a Mask During the Commission of a Crime | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Jan. 26, 2017 | MS | SB 2469 | Classifies the Targeting of Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| Jan. 19, 2017 | MT | SB 29 | Defines Consent and Aggravated Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - House (348 - 77) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| April 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1793 | Requires Mary Kogut to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1794 | Requires Dr. James Miller to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| April 5, 2016 | LA | HB 580 | Limits Time Frame for Real Estate Appraisal Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| April 5, 2016 | IL | SB 2465 | Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| March 24, 2016 | TN | HB 1679 | Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | NH | HB 1270 | Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification | Bill Passed - House (184 - 145) |
| March 1, 2016 | MS | HB 738 | Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 60) |
| 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. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | SC | H 3521 | Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (68 - 42) |
| Jan. 8, 2016 | National | HR 1927 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 188) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2564 | Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65) |
| Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 3457 | Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (251 - 173) |
| July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
| May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| May 12, 2015 | DE | SB 75 | Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 30, 2015 | TX | SB 1628 | Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |
| April 23, 2015 | National | PN 4 | Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43) |
| April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| March 5, 2015 | AZ | SB 1222 | Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| March 3, 2015 | OR | HB 2700 | Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | WV | SB 6 | Amends Existing Medical Malpractice Law | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | MS | HB 1338 | Authorizes Lawsuits for "Wrongful Death" of a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | OR | HB 2700 | Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
| Jan. 27, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |
| July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
| July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
| July 30, 2014 | National | H Res 676 | Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States | Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201) |
| July 23, 2014 | MA | S 2283 | Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (116 - 35) |
| July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| July 1, 2014 | MA | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
| June 16, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - House (49 - 26) |
| May 30, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 29, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 755 | Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37) |
| April 30, 2014 | FL | SB 386 | Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 40) |
| April 28, 2014 | FL | SB 386 | Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| April 23, 2014 | VT | H 112 | Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30) |
| April 4, 2014 | KS | SB 323 | Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 1, 2014 | WI | AB 120 | Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| March 31, 2014 | MD | SB 973 | Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 17, 2014 | KY | SB 221 | Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 6, 2014 | OR | HB 4143 | Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
| March 5, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 5, 2014 | MO | HB 1173 | Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (94 - 61) |
| March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1126 | Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25) |
| March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | KS | SB 311 | Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | KY | SB 116 | Amends Patent Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | WV | HB 4001 | Authorizes False Claims Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (42 - 55) |
| Feb. 24, 2014 | WV | HB 4490 | Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | KY | SB 119 | Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36) |