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
April 3, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
April 2, 2019 ME LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - House (86 - 54)
April 2, 2019 ME LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 2, 2019 IA SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 2, 2019 ID S 1204 Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 78)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
March 29, 2019 IL HB 3343 Authorizes Food Stamp Benefits to Be Used in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (75 - 18)
March 28, 2019 ND SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
March 28, 2019 MA H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 28, 2019 ND SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 1553 Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment Bill Passed - House (87 - 18)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 35)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 253 Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 836 Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE Bill Passed - House (89 - 19)
March 28, 2019 National H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
March 28, 2019 National H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
March 27, 2019 OR HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 27, 2019 IA SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
March 27, 2019 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
March 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
March 25, 2019 CO HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 25, 2019 GA SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - House (104 - 67)
March 22, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
March 20, 2019 NH SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
March 20, 2019 NH HB 397 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to get Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (204 - 137)
March 19, 2019 ME LD 179 Amends Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
March 19, 2019 NH HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
March 15, 2019 NM HB 100 Amends the Columbus Day Holiday to Indigenous Peoples' Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 14, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
March 14, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
March 14, 2019 NM HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 14, 2019 NH HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
March 14, 2019 NH SB 311 Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 14, 2019 CO SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
March 13, 2019 OH SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 11, 2019 MO HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
March 10, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 8, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 7, 2019 TN HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
March 7, 2019 IL SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
March 7, 2019 MN HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
March 6, 2019 UT SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2019 ID H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2019 MT HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2019 NH HB 696 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (219 - 156)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2019 GA SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
Feb. 22, 2019 UT HB 40 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
Feb. 22, 2019 KY SB 18 Establishes Employment Protections for Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
Feb. 21, 2019 IN SB 12 Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - House (41 - 21)
Feb. 19, 2019 CO HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
Feb. 18, 2019 ND HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2019 NM HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
Feb. 15, 2019 CO HB 19-1039 Amends Birth Certificate Regulations Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2019 IL SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
Feb. 14, 2019 NH SB 142 Requires Public Schools Provide Menstrual Products Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
4/02 LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - House (86 - 54)
4/02 LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/02 SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/02 S 1204 Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
3/31 A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/29 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 78)
3/29 HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
3/29 HB 3343 Authorizes Food Stamp Benefits to Be Used in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (75 - 18)
3/28 SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
3/28 H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/28 SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
3/28 HB 1553 Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment Bill Passed - House (87 - 18)
3/28 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 35)
3/28 HB 253 Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
3/28 HB 836 Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE Bill Passed - House (89 - 19)
3/28 H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
3/28 H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
3/27 HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/27 SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
3/27 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
3/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
3/25 HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/25 SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - House (104 - 67)
3/22 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
3/20 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
3/20 HB 397 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to get Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (204 - 137)
3/19 LD 179 Amends Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
3/19 HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
3/15 HB 100 Amends the Columbus Day Holiday to Indigenous Peoples' Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/14 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
3/14 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/14 HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/14 HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
3/14 SB 311 Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/14 SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
3/13 SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/12 SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/11 HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
3/10 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
3/08 HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/08 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/07 HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
3/07 SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/07 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
3/07 HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
3/06 SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/06 SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/06 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
3/06 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
3/06 SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
3/05 SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
2/28 H 98 Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors Bill Failed - House (28 - 39)
2/28 HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/27 HB 696 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (219 - 156)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/26 SB 106 Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
2/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
2/22 HB 40 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/22 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
2/22 SB 18 Establishes Employment Protections for Pregnant Women Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/22 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
2/21 SB 12 Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/19 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - House (41 - 21)
2/19 HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
2/18 HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
2/18 HB 89 Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
2/15 HB 19-1039 Amends Birth Certificate Regulations Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
2/14 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
2/14 SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
2/14 SB 142 Requires Public Schools Provide Menstrual Products Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)

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