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. 3, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
Dec. 3, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2915 | Defend Our Capital Act of 2015 | Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 45) |
Dec. 3, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2910 | Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54) |
Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HB 48 | Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
Nov. 10, 2015 | IL | SB 570 | Requires Child Care Benefits for Eligible Individuals | Bill Failed - House (70 - 35) |
Oct. 23, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
Oct. 20, 2015 | National | S 2146 | Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
Oct. 20, 2015 | National | S 2146 | Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
Sept. 29, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 43) |
Sept. 28, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
Sept. 24, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2669 | Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52) |
Sept. 24, 2015 | WI | AB 310 | Prohibits a Public Entity from Distributing Certain Funds to Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
Sept. 18, 2015 | National | HR 3134 | Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 187) |
Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
Sept. 9, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
Sept. 2, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
July 28, 2015 | WI | SB 209 | Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena | Bill Passed - House (52 - 34) |
July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
July 21, 2015 | NC | SB 22 | Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
July 15, 2015 | WI | SB 209 | Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
July 13, 2015 | PA | SB 683 | Requires DNA Sample from Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
July 9, 2015 | SC | S 897 | Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds | Bill Passed - House (94 - 20) |
July 3, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
June 30, 2015 | ME | LD 652 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
June 30, 2015 | DE | SB 59 | Authorizes an Undocumented Immigrant to Apply For and Obtain Valid Driving Privileges | Bill Passed - House (22 - 15) |
June 29, 2015 | CT | HB 7104 | Amends Drug Sentencing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
June 25, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
June 24, 2015 | NC | HB 640 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 15) |
June 24, 2015 | NC | HB 640 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 15) |
June 18, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
June 17, 2015 | ME | LD 319 | Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19) |
June 16, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
June 16, 2015 | DE | HB 115 | Authorizes Individuals to Change Name Based on Gender-Related Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5) |
June 16, 2015 | ME | LD 319 | Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care | Bill Passed - House (80 - 67) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 11, 2015 | NJ | A 3981 | Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
June 10, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44) |
June 10, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
June 9, 2015 | WI | SB 70 | Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
June 3, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 548 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
June 2, 2015 | National | HR 2048 | Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32) |
June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 4 | Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
June 1, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
June 1, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
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 | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54) |
May 29, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
May 29, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | HB 640 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | HB 640 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
May 27, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 22, 2015 | TX | HB 910 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 21, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
May 20, 2015 | CT | SB 1090 | Expands Tribal Gaming Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
May 19, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - House (78 - 70) |
May 19, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (68 - 43) |
May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
May 17, 2015 | NV | AB 244 | Classifies Certain Graffiti Offenses as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
May 15, 2015 | MO | SB 199 | Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (111 - 43) |
May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 230 | Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190) |
May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
May 12, 2015 | TX | SB 2065 | Authorizes Religious Organizations to Decline to Perform Marriage Services | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
May 12, 2015 | TX | SB 2065 | Authorizes Religious Organizations to Decline to Perform Marriage Services | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
May 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
May 10, 2015 | MN | HF 2958 | Authorizes New Viking Stadium | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 30) |
May 7, 2015 | OR | HB 2307 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 7, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
May 6, 2015 | NH | SB 40 | Amends Definition of "Another" for Certain Criminal Offenses | Bill Passed - House (193 - 159) |
May 5, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14) |
May 5, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
May 5, 2015 | CT | HB 6863 | Limits Police Pursuit for Municipal Ordinance Violations | Bill Passed - House (109 - 38) |