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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 3, 2015 National S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
Oct. 21, 2015 OH SB 214 Amends Healthcare Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Sept. 24, 2015 National S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 24, 2015 National S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 11, 2015 CA AB 15 Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2015 IL HB 1 Expands Heroin Abuse Treatment Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2015 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2015 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
July 6, 2015 OR HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
July 3, 2015 OR HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
June 30, 2015 OR SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
June 29, 2015 CA SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 17, 2015 ME LD 319 Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 12, 2015 MN SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 4, 2015 CA SB 128 Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 2, 2015 CT HB 6949 Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
May 29, 2015 IL HB 217 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
May 14, 2015 CA SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 11, 2015 OR HB 2546 Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 7, 2015 OR HB 2307 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
May 6, 2015 TX SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 5, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
May 5, 2015 HI SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
May 1, 2015 HI HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
April 28, 2015 HI SB 550 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2)
April 28, 2015 CO SB 268 Amends Definition of "Person" for Assault and Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 24, 2015 HI SB 1030 Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
April 23, 2015 IL HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 21, 2015 AL SJR 34 Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 18, 2015 MT SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 7, 2015 IN HB 1432 Establishes E-Liquid Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 3, 2015 VT S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 30, 2015 MT SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 27, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 416 Requires Health Insurers to Cover In Vitro Fertilization for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 20, 2015 ND HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 19, 2015 ND HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
March 19, 2015 NM SB 433 Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 17, 2015 IA SF 334 Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
11/17 S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/17 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/03 S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
10/21 SB 214 Amends Healthcare Funds Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
9/24 S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
9/24 S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
9/11 AB 15 Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/09 HB 1 Expands Heroin Abuse Treatment Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11)
9/04 AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/27 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
7/06 HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
7/03 HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
6/30 SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
6/29 SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/17 LD 319 Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/12 SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/04 SB 128 Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/03 SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/02 HB 6949 Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/02 SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/02 SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/02 SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
5/29 HB 217 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
5/14 SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/11 HB 2546 Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/07 HB 2307 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
5/06 SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/05 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
5/05 SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
5/01 HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
4/28 SB 550 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2)
4/28 SB 268 Amends Definition of "Person" for Assault and Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/24 SB 1030 Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
4/23 HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/21 SJR 34 Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/18 SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/07 HB 1432 Establishes E-Liquid Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/03 S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/30 SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/27 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/24 SB 416 Requires Health Insurers to Cover In Vitro Fertilization for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
3/24 SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/20 HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/19 HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22)
3/19 SB 433 Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/17 SF 334 Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)

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