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. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Nov. 29, 2018 NC SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
Aug. 30, 2018 ME LD 1920 Amends Expungement Requirements for Records under Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
Aug. 23, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
Aug. 6, 2018 CA SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
July 25, 2018 National HR 6199 Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (277 - 142)
July 13, 2018 National HR 50 Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 168)
July 1, 2018 DE SB 170 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
June 27, 2018 NC HB 717 Amends Judicial Divisions Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
June 27, 2018 National HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
June 27, 2018 OH HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
June 27, 2018 MA H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
June 21, 2018 National HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
June 21, 2018 NJ ACR 180 Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
June 13, 2018 NC HB 659 Specifies Method of Vacancy Filling for US Senators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 39)
June 13, 2018 PA HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
June 7, 2018 OH HB 366 Updates Child Support Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 0)
June 5, 2018 NC SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - House (66 - 49)
May 30, 2018 IL SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
May 30, 2018 CA AB 2965 Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
May 30, 2018 CA AB 3080 Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
May 17, 2018 MO HB 1413 Amends Regulations on Labor Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 62)
May 17, 2018 MO SB 1007 Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
May 16, 2018 NY A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
May 15, 2018 LA SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
May 14, 2018 MO HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
May 11, 2018 MO HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
May 3, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
May 2, 2018 CT HB 5460 Requires Raise for Home Care Employees Bill Passed - House (88 - 62)
April 26, 2018 IL HB 5599 Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code Bill Passed - House (75 - 31)
April 25, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
April 25, 2018 TN HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
April 16, 2018 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
April 14, 2018 KY SB 78 Amends Licensing for Electricians Bill Passed - House (45 - 44)
April 12, 2018 TN HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
April 9, 2018 CA AB 1976 Amends Lactation Accommodation Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 1)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2482 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32)
April 5, 2018 MD SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
April 3, 2018 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 2, 2018 TN SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 30, 2018 MD SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 30, 2018 MD SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 29, 2018 ME LD 521 Establishes Alignment in Disability Claims with Department of Veteran Affairs Bill Passed - House (91 - 48)
March 28, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
March 26, 2018 MD SB 859 Establishes State Parental Leave Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
March 26, 2018 NJ S 104 Establishes Equal Pay Law Bill Passed - House (74 - 2)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
March 22, 2018 NH HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 162)
March 21, 2018 MI HB 5456 Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 25)
March 16, 2018 VT H 710 Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts Bill Passed - House (123 - 11)
March 13, 2018 PA HB 153 Decreases Size of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (101 - 84)
March 12, 2018 MD HB 811 Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing Bill Passed - House (84 - 49)
March 12, 2018 MD HB 811 Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing Bill Passed - House (84 - 49)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 1506 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 1, 2018 WA SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
March 1, 2018 WA SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 6037 Authorizes Financial Compensation of Surrogates Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2018 MI HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Feb. 21, 2018 KY HB 2 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
Feb. 20, 2018 OR HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2018 OR HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2018 ID H 419 Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 24)
Feb. 15, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 WI AB 1 Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2018 WI AB 10 Requires Photo Identification for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Feb. 14, 2018 NM SB 19 Amends Guardianship Laws Bill Passed - House (63 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2018 VA HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 13, 2018 SD HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
Feb. 8, 2018 MI HB 5456 Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
Jan. 31, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
Jan. 29, 2018 WV HB 2546 Authorizes Company Equipment Cost Deductions from an Employee's Final Paycheck Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 17, 2018 WA HB 1506 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
Jan. 10, 2018 National S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/04 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
12/04 SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
11/29 SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
10/17 SB 6 Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access Bill Passed - House (124 - 62)
9/27 A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
8/30 LD 1920 Amends Expungement Requirements for Records under Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
8/23 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
8/06 SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
7/25 HR 6199 Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (277 - 142)
7/13 HR 50 Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 168)
7/01 SB 170 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
6/27 HB 717 Amends Judicial Divisions Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
6/27 HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
6/27 HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
6/27 H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
6/26 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
6/21 HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
6/21 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
6/21 ACR 180 Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
6/13 HB 659 Specifies Method of Vacancy Filling for US Senators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 39)
6/13 HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
6/07 HB 366 Updates Child Support Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 0)
6/05 SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
5/30 SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - House (66 - 49)
5/30 SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
5/30 AB 2965 Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
5/30 AB 3080 Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
5/17 HB 1413 Amends Regulations on Labor Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 62)
5/17 SB 1007 Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
5/16 A 3557 Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health Bill Passed - House (137 - 0)
5/15 SB 389 Amends Probation Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 6)
5/14 HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
5/11 HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
5/03 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (57 - 24)
5/02 HB 5460 Requires Raise for Home Care Employees Bill Passed - House (88 - 62)
4/26 HB 5599 Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code Bill Passed - House (75 - 31)
4/25 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
4/25 HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
4/16 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
4/14 SB 78 Amends Licensing for Electricians Bill Passed - House (45 - 44)
4/12 HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
4/12 S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
4/11 HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
4/09 AB 1976 Amends Lactation Accommodation Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 1)
4/07 HB 2482 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32)
4/05 SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/03 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/02 SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/30 SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/30 SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/29 LD 521 Establishes Alignment in Disability Claims with Department of Veteran Affairs Bill Passed - House (91 - 48)
3/28 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
3/26 SB 859 Establishes State Parental Leave Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
3/26 S 104 Establishes Equal Pay Law Bill Passed - House (74 - 2)
3/26 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
3/22 HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 162)
3/21 HB 5456 Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 25)
3/16 H 710 Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts Bill Passed - House (123 - 11)
3/13 HB 153 Decreases Size of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (101 - 84)
3/12 HB 811 Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing Bill Passed - House (84 - 49)
3/12 HB 811 Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing Bill Passed - House (84 - 49)
3/07 HB 1506 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28)
3/03 HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/03 SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/01 SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
3/01 SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
2/28 SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/27 SB 6037 Authorizes Financial Compensation of Surrogates Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/27 SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
2/23 SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
2/22 HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
2/21 HB 2 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
2/20 HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/20 HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/20 H 419 Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 24)
2/15 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/15 AB 1 Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/15 AB 10 Requires Photo Identification for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
2/14 SB 19 Amends Guardianship Laws Bill Passed - House (63 - 0)
2/13 HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/13 HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/08 HB 628 Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (186 - 164)
2/08 HB 5456 Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
1/31 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
1/29 HB 2546 Authorizes Company Equipment Cost Deductions from an Employee's Final Paycheck Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/17 HB 1506 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
1/12 HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
1/10 S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)

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