Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| May 17, 2019 | National | HR 5 | Equality Act | Bill Passed - House (236 - 173) |
| May 17, 2019 | National | HR 5 | Equality Act | Bill Passed - House (236 - 173) |
| 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) |
| March 14, 2019 | National | H Con Res 24 | Expressing the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. | Bill Passed - House (420 - 0) |
| June 4, 2019 | National | HR 6 | American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 187) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | HR 8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 190) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | National | HR 1112 | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 198) |
| March 7, 2019 | National | H Res 183 | Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States | Bill Passed - House (407 - 23) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | SB 250 | Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51) |
| July 31, 2019 | NC | SB 199 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (92 - 15) |
| April 26, 2019 | NC | HB 511 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws for Low-Level Nonviolent Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| April 26, 2019 | NC | HB 511 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws for Low-Level Nonviolent Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| April 3, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 51) |
| April 3, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 51) |
| June 26, 2019 | NC | HB 135 | Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 52) |
| April 24, 2019 | ND | HB 1393 | Classifies Domestic Violence as a Distinct Crime | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 19) |
| April 2, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15) |
| March 25, 2019 | ND | SB 2044 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Bill Passed - House (76 - 14) |
| April 26, 2019 | ND | HB 1286 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws | Bill Passed - House (55 - 37) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | ND | HB 1254 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 32) |
| April 26, 2019 | ND | HB 1286 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws | Bill Passed - House (55 - 37) |
| Jan. 28, 2019 | ND | HB 1336 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - House (73 - 16) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 235 | Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139) |
| June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 263 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141) |
| March 20, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - House (219 - 142) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | HB 253 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants About Criminal History | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (213 - 142) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 605 | Increases Penalties for Possessing or Manufacturing Animal Fighting Paraphernalia | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 124) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 480 | Authorizes Sports Gambling | Bill Passed - House (269 - 82) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 520 | Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms | Bill Passed - House (206 - 142) |
| April 4, 2019 | NH | HB 564 | Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (213 - 159) |
| March 20, 2019 | NH | HB 397 | Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to get Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - House (204 - 137) |
| 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 7, 2019 | NH | HB 105 | Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws | Bill Passed - House (209 - 155) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - House (55 - 16) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5816 | Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| 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) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| 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) |
| March 4, 2019 | NM | SB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| March 15, 2019 | NM | SB 323 | Reduces Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| Feb. 6, 2019 | NM | HB 51 | Amends State Law to Decriminalize Abortion | Bill Passed - House (40 - 29) |
| Feb. 18, 2019 | NM | HB 89 | Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |
| Feb. 24, 2019 | NM | HB 564 | Amends Probation and Parole Procedures | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
| Feb. 8, 2019 | NM | HB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| Feb. 15, 2019 | NV | SB 143 | Expands Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 443 | Establishes Permanent Sales Tax for Cop Funding | Bill Passed - House (33 - 8) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 153 | Prohibits the Negligent Storage of Firearms Around Minors | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 291 | Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2451 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (100 - 37) |
| June 20, 2019 | NY | S 5248 | Prohibits Class-Based Wage Differentials | Bill Passed - House (138 - 9) |
| May 20, 2019 | NY | S 1414 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (122 - 22) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 101 | Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - House (104 - 40) |
| Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | S 1250 | Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children | Bill Passed - House (97 - 42) |
| June 4, 2019 | NY | S 5532 | Prohibits Declawing Cats | Bill Passed - House (113 - 31) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2449 | Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (108 - 36) |
| Jan. 15, 2019 | NY | S 1047 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - House (105 - 43) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2374 | Amends Background Check Regulations | Bill Passed - House (85 - 52) |
| March 4, 2019 | NY | S 2450 | Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages | Bill Passed - House (91 - 52) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1505 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - House (92 - 56) |
| June 18, 2019 | NY | S 4203 | Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents | Bill Passed - House (99 - 49) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2451 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (100 - 37) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | A 8421 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Harassment Claims | Bill Passed - House (128 - 20) |
| March 19, 2019 | NY | A 6449 | Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (100 - 46) |
| June 12, 2019 | NY | A 3675 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (87 - 61) |
| March 26, 2019 | NY | A 6188 | Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants | Bill Passed - House (108 - 39) |
| June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (84 - 61) |
| April 10, 2019 | OH | SB 23 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 136 | Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
| June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 80 | Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | OH | HB 86 | Amends Regulations for Firearm Length | Bill Passed - House (76 - 20) |
| April 25, 2019 | OK | SB 252 | Amends the State Cash Bail System | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 16, 2019 | OK | SB 614 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be Made Available | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| Feb. 11, 2019 | OK | HB 2591 | Requires Healthcare Providers Report Statutory Rape | Bill Passed - House (79 - 20) |
| March 13, 2019 | OK | HB 2336 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools | Bill Passed - House (72 - 25) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | OK | HB 2597 | Authorizes State Constitutional Carry | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |