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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 17, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | MI | SB 1156 | Prohibits Actions that Coerce a Woman to Get an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 21) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 1130 | Amends Public Health Code to Include Hepatitis C Virus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
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. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
Sept. 15, 2014 | NH | SB 391 | Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
Sept. 15, 2014 | NJ | A 2895 | Establishes a Statewide Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Sept. 9, 2014 | National | H Res 644 | Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists | Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
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 - Senate (37 - 3) |
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 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
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 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
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 26, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Adopted - House (29 - 12) |
June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Rejected - House (24 - 15) |
June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 935 | Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen | Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
June 18, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
June 16, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - House (49 - 26) |
June 10, 2014 | MI | SB 789 | Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
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 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 763 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Require Journalists to Disclose Sources | Amendment Adopted - House (225 - 183) |
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 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | AB 1609 | Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |