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
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
Dec. 1, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 17, 2015 National HR 511 Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (249 - 177)
Oct. 27, 2015 National HR 597 Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (313 - 118)
Oct. 22, 2015 National S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
Oct. 9, 2015 National HR 702 To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions Bill Passed - House (261 - 159)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
Sept. 11, 2015 National HR 3460 To Suspend Until January 21, 2017, the Authority of the President to Waive, Suspend, Reduce, Provide Relief from, or Otherwise Limit the Application of Sanctions Pursuant to an Agreement Related to the Nuclear Program of Iran Bill Passed - House (247 - 186)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2015 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2015 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
July 23, 2015 National HR 1599 Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (275 - 150)
July 3, 2015 OR SB 478 Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products Bill Passed - House (43 - 17)
July 1, 2015 OR SB 478 Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
June 25, 2015 RI H 5364 Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
June 25, 2015 NJ A 4018 Authorizes Lottery Courier Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 20)
June 24, 2015 NH HB 550 Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 145)
June 24, 2015 NH HB 550 Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 23, 2015 NC HB 148 Requires Auto Insurance for Moped Operators Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
June 23, 2015 RI H 5364 Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
June 12, 2015 OR SB 454 Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
June 11, 2015 RI H 5074 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
June 11, 2015 NJ A 3981 Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
June 10, 2015 National HR 2393 Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (300 - 131)
June 10, 2015 OR SB 454 Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
June 4, 2015 IL HB 1287 Amends Certain Workers' Compensation Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 39)
June 3, 2015 NC HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
June 3, 2015 NC HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 36)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 2, 2015 RI H 5074 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 1, 2015 National HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
June 1, 2015 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 28, 2015 OR HB 2007 Prohibits Employers from Penalizing Employees for Discussing Wages Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 27, 2015 MI HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 25, 2015 TX SB 900 Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
May 22, 2015 NV SB 193 Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition Bill Passed - House (22 - 20)
May 21, 2015 National HR 2262 Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (284 - 133)
May 20, 2015 National HR 880 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (274 - 145)
May 18, 2015 NC HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
May 14, 2015 CT HB 6283 Prohibits E-Cigarettes in Public Spaces Bill Passed - House (99 - 46)
May 12, 2015 National HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
May 12, 2015 DE SB 75 Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
May 7, 2015 LA HB 805 Reduces Corporate Inventory Tax Refunds Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
May 7, 2015 MI HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
May 5, 2015 KS SB 117 Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 25)
May 5, 2015 KS SB 117 Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 4, 2015 NY A 7257 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (97 - 43)
May 1, 2015 HI HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (34 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/03 HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
12/01 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
11/17 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/17 HR 511 Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (249 - 177)
10/27 HR 597 Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (313 - 118)
10/22 S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
10/09 HR 702 To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions Bill Passed - House (261 - 159)
10/01 HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
9/11 HR 3460 To Suspend Until January 21, 2017, the Authority of the President to Waive, Suspend, Reduce, Provide Relief from, or Otherwise Limit the Application of Sanctions Pursuant to an Agreement Related to the Nuclear Program of Iran Bill Passed - House (247 - 186)
9/04 AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/27 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
7/23 HR 1599 Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (275 - 150)
7/03 SB 478 Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products Bill Passed - House (43 - 17)
7/01 SB 478 Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
6/25 H 5364 Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
6/25 A 4018 Authorizes Lottery Courier Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 20)
6/24 HB 550 Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 145)
6/24 HB 550 Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/23 HB 148 Requires Auto Insurance for Moped Operators Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
6/23 H 5364 Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
6/12 SB 454 Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
6/11 H 5074 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
6/11 A 3981 Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
6/10 HR 2393 Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (300 - 131)
6/10 SB 454 Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
6/04 HB 1287 Amends Certain Workers' Compensation Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 39)
6/03 HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
6/03 HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 36)
6/02 SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/02 H 5074 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
6/02 SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/01 HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
6/01 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/28 HB 2007 Prohibits Employers from Penalizing Employees for Discussing Wages Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/27 HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/25 SB 900 Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
5/22 SB 193 Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition Bill Passed - House (22 - 20)
5/21 HR 2262 Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (284 - 133)
5/20 HR 880 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (274 - 145)
5/18 HB 405 Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
5/14 HB 6283 Prohibits E-Cigarettes in Public Spaces Bill Passed - House (99 - 46)
5/12 HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
5/12 SB 75 Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/07 HB 805 Reduces Corporate Inventory Tax Refunds Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
5/07 HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
5/05 SB 117 Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 25)
5/05 SB 117 Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/04 A 7257 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (97 - 43)
5/01 HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (34 - 16)

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