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. 28, 2016 National HR 6094 Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 177)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 43)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 7, 2016 National S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
June 29, 2016 National S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)
June 18, 2016 RI S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - House (53 - 6)
June 17, 2016 RI S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
June 16, 2016 RI H 7007 Authorizes Cities to Establish Regulations for Body Works Businesses Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
June 9, 2016 National HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
June 9, 2016 National HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
June 7, 2016 RI H 8240 Requires Referendum for Power Plant Tax Agreement Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
May 25, 2016 OH HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2016 OH SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 24, 2016 National H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 28, 2016 National H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - House (234 - 183)
April 20, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 14, 2016 National HR 3340 Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 179)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
April 12, 2016 HI HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
April 11, 2016 MD SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - House (76 - 57)
April 11, 2016 MN HF 1089 Authorizes Certain Fireworks Bill Passed - House (73 - 56)
April 8, 2016 MD SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 7, 2016 National S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
April 5, 2016 MD HB 580 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
March 30, 2016 AK SB 1 Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
March 28, 2016 TN SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - House (72 - 16)
March 23, 2016 AK SB 125 Amends Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 21, 2016 AZ SB 1316 Establishes Flexible Credit Loans Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
March 15, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 15, 2016 WI SB 239 Amends Regulations for High Capacity Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 14, 2016 KY SB 205 Establishes Regulations for Nursing Home Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
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 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 10, 2016 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 10, 2016 UT SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 10, 2016 KS HB 2369 Prohibits Minors From Using Tanning Devices Bill Passed - House (77 - 44)
March 9, 2016 MA H 4049 Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (139 - 16)
March 8, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
March 8, 2016 HI HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - House (44 - 7)
March 7, 2016 UT SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 3, 2016 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
March 3, 2016 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
March 3, 2016 MO SB 919 Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 3, 2016 AZ HB 2613 Exempts Certain Professions from Licensing Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 20)
March 1, 2016 AZ HB 2507 Amends Regulations Regarding Electronic Billboards Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
March 1, 2016 WV HB 4625 Requires Greyhound Racing Funds to be Redirected to State Road Fund Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Feb. 29, 2016 TN SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2016 GA HB 781 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies Bill Passed - House (93 - 50)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2016 FL HB 1325 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Companies Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
Feb. 24, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 19, 2016 ID H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
Feb. 17, 2016 OR HB 4122 Requires Genetically Engineered Fish to Be Labeled Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2016 VA SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2016 National HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
Feb. 11, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 8, 2016 KY HB 196 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Feb. 4, 2016 National HR 766 Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
Feb. 3, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2016 National S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/28 HR 6094 Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 177)
9/14 HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
9/14 HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 43)
8/31 SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/07 S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
6/29 S 2328 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (68 - 30)
6/18 S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - House (53 - 6)
6/17 S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
6/16 H 7007 Authorizes Cities to Establish Regulations for Body Works Businesses Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
6/09 HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
6/09 HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
6/07 H 8240 Requires Referendum for Power Plant Tax Agreement Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
5/25 HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/24 H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/04 SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/28 H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - House (234 - 183)
4/20 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/14 HR 3340 Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 179)
4/13 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
4/12 HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
4/11 SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - House (76 - 57)
4/11 HF 1089 Authorizes Certain Fireworks Bill Passed - House (73 - 56)
4/08 SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/07 S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
4/05 HB 580 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
3/30 SB 1 Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
3/28 SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - House (72 - 16)
3/23 SB 125 Amends Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/21 SB 1316 Establishes Flexible Credit Loans Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
3/15 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/15 SB 239 Amends Regulations for High Capacity Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/14 SB 205 Establishes Regulations for Nursing Home Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/10 HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32)
3/10 HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
3/10 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/10 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/10 SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/10 HB 2369 Prohibits Minors From Using Tanning Devices Bill Passed - House (77 - 44)
3/09 H 4049 Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (139 - 16)
3/08 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
3/08 HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - House (44 - 7)
3/07 SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/03 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
3/03 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
3/03 SB 919 Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/03 HB 2613 Exempts Certain Professions from Licensing Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 20)
3/01 HB 2507 Amends Regulations Regarding Electronic Billboards Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
3/01 HB 4625 Requires Greyhound Racing Funds to be Redirected to State Road Fund Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
2/29 SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 HB 781 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies Bill Passed - House (93 - 50)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/24 HB 1325 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Companies Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
2/24 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/19 H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/18 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
2/17 HB 4122 Requires Genetically Engineered Fish to Be Labeled Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
2/16 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
2/16 SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/12 HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
2/11 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/10 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/08 HB 196 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
2/04 HR 766 Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
2/03 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
1/12 S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)

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