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. 18, 2019 | PA | HB 1477 | Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts | Bill Passed - House (193 - 4) |
Dec. 17, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (167 - 29) |
Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
Dec. 11, 2019 | National | HR 5038 | Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 165) |
Dec. 6, 2019 | National | HR 4 | Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 187) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - House (55 - 16) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2905 | Prohibits Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5816 | Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | National | HR 5084 | Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (281 - 135) |
Nov. 18, 2019 | PA | HB 1890 | Requires a Funeral for, or the Cremation of, Abortion Remains | Bill Passed - House (123 - 76) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - House (100 - 13) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
Nov. 12, 2019 | WI | AJR 106 | Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
Nov. 12, 2019 | WI | AJR 106 | Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
Nov. 7, 2019 | WI | AB 304 | Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (82 - 13) |
Nov. 6, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 5120 | Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (100 - 8) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | SB 250 | Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | MI | HB 4916 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3904 | Authorizes Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for Use of Their Name, Image, or Likeness | Bill Passed - House (86 - 25) |
Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - House (88 - 27) |
Oct. 29, 2019 | National | H Res 296 | Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide | Bill Passed - House (405 - 11) |
Sept. 26, 2019 | National | HR 3525 | US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 184) |
Sept. 25, 2019 | National | HR 2203 | Homeland Security Improvement Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 194) |
Sept. 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4231 | Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 1076 | Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Aug. 15, 2019 | CA | SB 192 | Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police | (63 - 5) |
July 31, 2019 | NC | SB 199 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (92 - 15) |
July 25, 2019 | National | HR 549 | Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (272 - 158) |
July 24, 2019 | National | HR 3239 | Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act | Bill Passed - House (233 - 195) |
July 23, 2019 | National | H Res 246 | Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel | Bill Passed - House (398 - 17) |
July 16, 2019 | National | H Res 489 | Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress | Bill Passed - House (240 - 187) |
July 16, 2019 | National | H Res 489 | Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress | Bill Passed - House (240 - 187) |
July 12, 2019 | National | HR 1327 | Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act | Bill Passed - House (402 - 12) |
July 1, 2019 | CA | SB 233 | Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (54 - 13) |
June 30, 2019 | DE | SB 45 | Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (34 - 7) |
June 27, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102) |
June 27, 2019 | DE | SB 44 | Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 6) |
June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
June 26, 2019 | DE | SB 47 | Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed | Bill Passed - House (28 - 12) |
June 26, 2019 | NC | HB 135 | Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 52) |
June 25, 2019 | DE | HB 77 | Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
June 25, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 195) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
June 20, 2019 | NY | S 5248 | Prohibits Class-Based Wage Differentials | Bill Passed - House (138 - 9) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
June 19, 2019 | RI | H 5125 | Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29) |
June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1811 | Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9) |
June 19, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
June 19, 2019 | NY | A 8421 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Harassment Claims | Bill Passed - House (128 - 20) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 82) |