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. 13, 2018 National S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
Dec. 4, 2018 WI SB 883 Appropriates Funds from the Department of Transportation for State Road Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Sept. 26, 2018 National HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (361 - 61)
Sept. 18, 2018 National HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2018 National HR 5895 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 20)
Sept. 12, 2018 National HR 5895 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 5)
Sept. 4, 2018 National HR 6439 Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (272 - 119)
Aug. 23, 2018 National HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
July 26, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (359 - 54)
July 19, 2018 National HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
July 1, 2018 NJ S 2824 Amends Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 1, 2018 NJ S 2824 Amends Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (50 - 21)
June 26, 2018 DE SB 235 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (40 - 0)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 3871 Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 22, 2018 PA HB 2121 Establishes a State Budget for Fiscal year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3871 Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes Bill Passed - House (60 - 25)
June 21, 2018 NJ S 2019 Appropriates both State and Federal Funds for the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 4207 Establishes Medicaid Emergency Room Triage Reimbursement Fee for Low Acuity Emergency Room Encounters Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
June 21, 2018 NJ S 490 Prohibits Welfare "Family Caps" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
June 20, 2018 National HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
June 20, 2018 RI H 7200 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
June 20, 2018 OH HB 531 Authorizes State Funds for Sports Event Bidding Bill Passed - House (84 - 9)
June 18, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
June 15, 2018 RI H 7200 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (61 - 12)
June 12, 2018 NC SB 99 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
June 7, 2018 NC SB 99 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
June 7, 2018 National HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Passed - House (210 - 206)
June 6, 2018 MI SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
May 24, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - House (351 - 66)
May 22, 2018 MI HB 5579 Establishes Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 18, 2018 MN HF 4133 Appropriates Funds for Agricultural Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 37)
May 15, 2018 MI SB 551 Establishes a Trustee Spending Oversight Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 51)
May 15, 2018 LA HB 1 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 9, 2018 MO HB 2171 Amends Eligibility Requirements for Blind Pension Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 2, 2018 PA HB 1843 Requires Public Release of Budget Requests and Expenditures Bill Passed - House (178 - 12)
May 1, 2018 PA HB 1659 Repeals SNAP Work Requirement Waivers Bill Passed - House (108 - 79)
April 24, 2018 MI HB 5579 Establishes Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (71 - 36)
April 19, 2018 MI SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 19, 2018 LA HB 1 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (55 - 47)
April 17, 2018 PA HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
April 14, 2018 AK HB 287 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
April 14, 2018 AK HB 339 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
April 12, 2018 National H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Bill Failed - House (233 - 184)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 5, 2018 KS SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/13 S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
12/04 SB 883 Appropriates Funds from the Department of Transportation for State Road Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/17 HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
9/26 HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (361 - 61)
9/18 HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 7)
9/13 HR 5895 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 20)
9/12 HR 5895 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 5)
9/04 HR 6439 Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (272 - 119)
8/23 HR 6157 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
8/01 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
8/01 HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
7/26 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (359 - 54)
7/19 HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
7/01 S 2824 Amends Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/01 S 2824 Amends Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (50 - 21)
6/26 SB 235 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (40 - 0)
6/25 A 3871 Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/22 HB 2121 Establishes a State Budget for Fiscal year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
6/21 A 3871 Amends Definition of 'Misconduct' for Unemployment Purposes Bill Passed - House (60 - 25)
6/21 S 2019 Appropriates both State and Federal Funds for the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/21 A 4207 Establishes Medicaid Emergency Room Triage Reimbursement Fee for Low Acuity Emergency Room Encounters Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
6/21 S 490 Prohibits Welfare "Family Caps" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
6/20 HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
6/20 H 7200 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
6/20 HB 531 Authorizes State Funds for Sports Event Bidding Bill Passed - House (84 - 9)
6/18 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
6/15 H 7200 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (61 - 12)
6/12 SB 99 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
6/07 SB 99 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
6/07 HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Passed - House (210 - 206)
6/06 SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
5/24 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - House (351 - 66)
5/22 HB 5579 Establishes Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/18 HF 4133 Appropriates Funds for Agricultural Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 37)
5/15 SB 551 Establishes a Trustee Spending Oversight Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 51)
5/15 HB 1 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/09 HB 2171 Amends Eligibility Requirements for Blind Pension Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/02 HB 1843 Requires Public Release of Budget Requests and Expenditures Bill Passed - House (178 - 12)
5/01 HB 1659 Repeals SNAP Work Requirement Waivers Bill Passed - House (108 - 79)
4/24 HB 5579 Establishes Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (71 - 36)
4/19 SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/19 HB 1 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - House (55 - 47)
4/17 HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
4/14 HB 287 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
4/14 HB 339 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
4/12 S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
4/12 H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Bill Failed - House (233 - 184)
4/12 S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/05 SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)

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