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
May 23, 2018 IL HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
May 23, 2018 IL HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
May 22, 2018 National S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
May 22, 2018 National HR 5682 FIRST STEP Act Bill Passed - House (360 - 59)
May 16, 2018 NY A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
May 16, 2018 National HR 5698 Protect and Serve Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (382 - 35)
May 15, 2018 LA SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
May 15, 2018 LA SB 316 Amend State Riverboat Gaming Laws Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
May 15, 2018 MI HB 5901 Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System Bill Passed - House (69 - 39)
May 9, 2018 SC S 109 Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
May 9, 2018 National HR 2152 Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (221 - 197)
May 8, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
May 7, 2018 LA SB 160 Prohibits Tying Up Pets During Hurricanes Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
May 3, 2018 OK SB 1098 Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31)
May 3, 2018 KS SB 284 Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 58)
May 3, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
May 3, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
May 2, 2018 NH SB 569 Amends Pet Vendor Regulations "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (222 - 111)
May 1, 2018 HI SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
May 1, 2018 MN HF 2856 Amends Public Safety Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 35)
May 1, 2018 CT HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
April 30, 2018 MO HB 2499 Amends Parole Hearing Procedures Bill Passed - House (114 - 30)
April 27, 2018 National H Res 856 Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House Bill Tabled - House (215 - 171)
April 26, 2018 NH SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116)
April 26, 2018 CO SB 18-166 Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 26, 2018 IL HB 5599 Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code Bill Passed - House (75 - 31)
April 25, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
April 25, 2018 TN HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
April 24, 2018 OK SB 786 Amends Burglary Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 33)
April 24, 2018 OK SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
April 24, 2018 OK SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
April 23, 2018 NY A 3223 Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (131 - 0)
April 19, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
April 19, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
April 19, 2018 CA AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
April 18, 2018 CO HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
April 17, 2018 TN SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 17, 2018 TN SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 17, 2018 LA HB 484 Authorizes Fantasy Sports Contests Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
April 15, 2018 AK HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
April 13, 2018 KY HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
April 12, 2018 TN HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
April 12, 2018 TN HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 122 Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production Bill Passed - House (59 - 14)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 12, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
April 12, 2018 MI HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
April 9, 2018 TN SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - House (51 - 37)
April 5, 2018 MD HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
April 4, 2018 TN SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 3, 2018 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 2, 2018 TN SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
April 2, 2018 TN SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 29, 2018 DE HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
March 28, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
March 28, 2018 MD SB 900 Amends Rules and Regulations to the Gaming Industry Bill Passed - House (87 - 45)
March 28, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
March 27, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/23 HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
5/23 HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
5/22 S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
5/22 HR 5682 FIRST STEP Act Bill Passed - House (360 - 59)
5/16 A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
5/16 HR 5698 Protect and Serve Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (382 - 35)
5/15 SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
5/15 SB 316 Amend State Riverboat Gaming Laws Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
5/15 HB 5901 Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System Bill Passed - House (69 - 39)
5/09 S 109 Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
5/09 HR 2152 Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (221 - 197)
5/08 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
5/07 SB 160 Prohibits Tying Up Pets During Hurricanes Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
5/03 SB 1098 Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31)
5/03 SB 284 Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 58)
5/03 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
5/03 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
5/02 SB 569 Amends Pet Vendor Regulations "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (222 - 111)
5/01 SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
5/01 HF 2856 Amends Public Safety Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 35)
5/01 HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
4/30 HB 2499 Amends Parole Hearing Procedures Bill Passed - House (114 - 30)
4/27 H Res 856 Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House Bill Tabled - House (215 - 171)
4/26 SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116)
4/26 SB 18-166 Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/26 HB 5599 Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code Bill Passed - House (75 - 31)
4/25 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
4/25 HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
4/24 SB 786 Amends Burglary Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 33)
4/24 SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
4/24 SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
4/23 A 3223 Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (131 - 0)
4/19 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
4/19 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
4/19 AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
4/18 HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
4/17 SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/17 SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/17 HB 484 Authorizes Fantasy Sports Contests Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
4/15 HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
4/13 HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
4/12 HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
4/12 HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
4/12 S 122 Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production Bill Passed - House (59 - 14)
4/12 S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
4/12 H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/12 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
4/12 H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
4/12 HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
4/12 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
4/11 HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
4/09 SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - House (51 - 37)
4/05 HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
4/04 SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
4/04 S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
4/03 HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/03 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/02 SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
4/02 SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/29 HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
3/28 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
3/28 SB 900 Amends Rules and Regulations to the Gaming Industry Bill Passed - House (87 - 45)
3/28 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
3/27 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
3/26 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
3/26 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)

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