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
Dec. 4, 2014 MI HB 5958 Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Aug. 21, 2014 CA SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Aug. 20, 2014 CA SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
July 30, 2014 National H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
July 23, 2014 MA S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
July 9, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
July 1, 2014 MA Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
June 16, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 30, 2014 LA SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 30, 2014 National H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
May 29, 2014 LA SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
April 30, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
April 30, 2014 FL SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
April 28, 2014 FL SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 24, 2014 OK SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
April 23, 2014 VT H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
April 4, 2014 KS SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 31, 2014 MD SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 27, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 20, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58)
March 20, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38)
March 18, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 17, 2014 KY SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2014 National HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
March 12, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 12, 2014 National HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
March 11, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54)
March 6, 2014 KS HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 6, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
March 5, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28)
March 5, 2014 MO HB 1173 Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (94 - 61)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1126 Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
March 4, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2014 KS SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2014 WV HB 4001 Authorizes False Claims Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (42 - 55)
Feb. 25, 2014 KY SB 116 Amends Patent Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Feb. 24, 2014 WV HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 20, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 19, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2014 KY SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 17, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2014 KS HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2014 TN SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2014 TN SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 3, 2014 VA HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Jan. 29, 2014 IN HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/04 HB 5958 Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
8/29 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
8/27 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
8/21 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
8/20 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
7/30 H Res 676 Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201)
7/23 S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
7/09 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
7/01 Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
6/16 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/30 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/30 H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
5/29 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
5/28 SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/01 HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
4/30 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
4/30 SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
4/28 SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/24 SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
4/23 H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
4/04 SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/01 AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/31 SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/27 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/20 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58)
3/20 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38)
3/18 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/17 SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
3/12 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/12 HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
3/11 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54)
3/06 HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/06 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
3/05 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28)
3/05 HB 1173 Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (94 - 61)
3/04 HB 1126 Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
3/04 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
2/27 SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/25 HB 4001 Authorizes False Claims Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (42 - 55)
2/25 SB 116 Amends Patent Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
2/24 HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/20 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/19 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/19 SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/17 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/13 HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/12 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/11 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/05 SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
2/05 SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/03 HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
1/29 HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)

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