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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | A 776 | Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole | Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 6) |
Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | A 776 | Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole | Bill Failed - House (133 - 13) |
Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | AR 86 | Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission | Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23) |
June 12, 2023 | RI | H 5962 | Amends Provisions Regarding Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditure Reporting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29) |
March 24, 2022 | ID | H 810 | Amends Law to Provide for Public Disclosure of Campaign Contact Telephone Numbers | Bill Passed - House (66 - 2) |
June 17, 1998 | National | H Amdt 688 | Campaign Finance Reform Commission Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (156 - 201) |
Aug. 3, 1998 | National | H Amdt 690 | Shays Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186) |
July 20, 1998 | National | H Amdt 716 | Noncitizen Campaign Contribution Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (267 - 131) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | H Amdt 862 | Federal Campaign Finance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222) |
June 14, 2023 | OH | HB 114 | Authorizes Usage of Campaign Funds for Childcare Services | Bill Passed - House (65 - 29) |
March 24, 2022 | MS | HB 1365 | Prohibits State and Local Election Officials from Soliciting or Accepting Private Funds | Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 38) |
April 17, 2019 | ND | HB 1521 | Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8) |
Feb. 14, 2024 | NM | HB 182 | Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Feb. 12, 2024 | NM | HB 182 | Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - House (71 - 32) |
March 19, 2013 | KS | HB 2022 | Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2022 | Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | KS | HB 2130 | Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 46) |
March 2, 2011 | WV | HB 2732 | Increased Fees for Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 35) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2983 | Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
June 6, 2019 | OR | HB 2983 | Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (39 - 17) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2) |
Jan. 26, 2012 | UT | HB 50 | Repeals the Election Campaign Fund | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | MI | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | MI | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
April 24, 2013 | FL | HB 569 | Amends State Campaign Finance Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34) |
March 10, 2022 | FL | HB 921 | Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 40) |
March 7, 2022 | FL | HB 921 | Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | National | HR 2019 | Kids First Research Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (295 - 103) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | HR 2183 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (252 - 179) |
March 20, 2002 | National | HR 2356 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40) |
Feb. 14, 2002 | National | HR 2356 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
Nov. 22, 1993 | National | HR 3 | Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 | Bill Passed - House (255 - 175) |
March 30, 1998 | National | HR 3581 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Bill Failed - House (74 - 337) |
March 30, 1998 | National | HR 3582 | Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1998 | Bill Passed - House (405 - 6) |
Jan. 26, 2011 | National | HR 359 | Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (239 - 160) |
July 25, 1996 | National | HR 3820 | Campaign Finance Reform | Bill Failed - House (162 - 259) |
Sept. 14, 1999 | National | HR 417 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (252 - 177) |
June 28, 2000 | National | HR 4762 | '527' Political Groups | Bill Passed - House (385 - 39) |
June 29, 2000 | National | HR 4762 | '527' Political Groups | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
April 5, 2006 | National | HR 513 | 527 Reform Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 209) |
June 24, 2010 | National | HR 5175 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - House (219 - 206) |
Sept. 21, 2022 | National | HR 8873 | Presidential Election Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 203) |
July 25, 2023 | ME | LD 1610 | Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 50) |
June 23, 2023 | ME | LD 1610 | Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
March 8, 2012 | ME | LD 1774 | Campaign Finance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
March 25, 2019 | ID | S 1113 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
June 25, 1996 | National | S 1219 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 46) |
April 2, 2001 | National | S 27 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41) |
April 22, 2008 | VT | S 278 | Campaign Finance Limitations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
April 25, 2008 | VT | S 278 | Campaign Finance Limitations | Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51) |
March 30, 2023 | NJ | S 2866 | Establishes the Elections Transparency Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
March 30, 2023 | NJ | S 2866 | Establishes the Elections Transparency Act | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
July 17, 2012 | National | S 3369 | DISCLOSE Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
Sept. 23, 2010 | National | S 3628 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39) |
July 27, 2010 | National | S 3628 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41) |
May 21, 2019 | NY | S 4347 | Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
Jan. 16, 2014 | VT | S 82 | Amends Campaign Finance Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8) |
March 20, 2001 | National | S Amdt 115 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
March 21, 2001 | National | S Amdt 134 | Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31) |
March 26, 2001 | National | S Amdt 145 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46) |
Feb. 26, 1998 | National | S Amdt 1646 | Campaign Finance Reform Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 48) |
April 28, 2022 | TN | SB 1005 | Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 3) |
April 28, 2022 | TN | SB 1005 | Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 1) |
Nov. 8, 2018 | MI | SB 1022 | Authorizes use of Campaign Finance Funds for Repayment of Debts and Obligations of Campaigns by Former Candidates | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
Feb. 14, 2024 | NM | SB 108 | Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
March 28, 2019 | NH | SB 156 | Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations | (13 - 11) |
May 27, 2022 | OK | SB 1695 | Requires Appointed Officials to File Financial Disclosure Statements | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 1) |
May 21, 2011 | TN | SB 1915 | Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (65 - 20) |
May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 1915 | Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (71 - 38) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
April 26, 2019 | ND | SB 2148 | Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | OH | SB 215 | Prohibits Foreign Nationals From Making Contributions or Expenditures Regarding Ballot Issue Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
March 28, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
April 3, 2017 | TN | SB 38 | Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
May 20, 2013 | AL | SB 445 | Repeals Limits on Campaign Financing | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 6, 2014 | CT | SB 455 | Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
May 2, 2014 | CT | SB 455 | Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 613 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials | Bill Passed - House (59 - 49) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 613 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 614 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office | Bill Passed - House (61 - 47) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 614 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 615 | Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - House (61 - 47) |
Nov. 2, 2023 | MI | SB 615 | Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 616 | Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 616 | Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
March 20, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
March 12, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Dec. 12, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 52) |
Nov. 14, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 7, 2024 | FL | SB 7014 | Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34) |
March 6, 2024 | FL | SB 7014 | Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
Feb. 24, 2022 | WI | SB 935 | Amends Various Election Fraud Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
Feb. 22, 2022 | WI | SB 935 | Amends Various Election Fraud Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |