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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 13, 2006 | MA | H 126 | Unsigned Political Posters | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | Peterson Amdt to H 5022 | Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee | Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59) |
Jan. 23, 2008 | MA | H 4477 | Cell Phone Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (107 - 47) |
Nov. 1, 2007 | MA | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
June 7, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | S 2807 | Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
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 - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 19, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 31, 2012 | MA | S 2400 | Establishes Accountable Care Organizations | Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20) |
Dec. 1, 2020 | MA | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67) |
July 18, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
Dec. 1, 2020 | MA | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
March 31, 2022 | MA | H 4554 | Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle | (40 - 0) |
April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
July 23, 2014 | MA | S 2283 | Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (116 - 35) |
June 15, 2021 | MA | S 2472 | Extends Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency | Bill Passed - House (146 - 14) |
June 16, 2022 | MA | S 2924 | Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations | Bill Passed - House (126 - 29) |
Feb. 1, 2024 | MA | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3) |
June 15, 2021 | MA | S 2475 | Amends Measures Adopted During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (150 - 10) |
May 31, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 11 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43) |
July 1, 2014 | MA | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
Oct. 8, 2009 | MA | SB 2028 | Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan | Bill Passed - House (114 - 36) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
June 18, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
Oct. 26, 2017 | MA | S 2200 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
June 30, 2022 | MA | S 2988 | Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
June 30, 2022 | MA | S 2987 | Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
Jan. 18, 2024 | MA | S 2551 | Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Jan. 10, 2024 | MA | H 4241 | Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties | Bill Passed - House (151 - 0) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2598 | Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
June 30, 2020 | MA | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
July 14, 2020 | MA | S 2800 | Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
July 14, 2020 | MA | S 2800 | Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
July 28, 2020 | MA | S 2844 | Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0) |
May 26, 2010 | MA | H 4703 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (139 - 17) |
Nov. 18, 2009 | MA | S 2210 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Feb. 4, 2010 | MA | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
Oct. 11, 2017 | MA | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
June 14, 2007 | MA | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
June 14, 2007 | MA | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
7/13 | H 126 | Unsigned Political Posters | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
7/13 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
7/29 | Peterson Amdt to H 5022 | Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee | Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59) |
1/23 | H 4477 | Cell Phone Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (107 - 47) |
11/01 | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
6/07 | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
7/29 | S 2807 | Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
7/16 | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
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) |
7/19 | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
7/16 | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
7/31 | S 2400 | Establishes Accountable Care Organizations | Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20) |
12/01 | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67) |
7/18 | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
6/28 | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
12/01 | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
3/31 | H 4554 | Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle | (40 - 0) |
4/04 | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
7/23 | S 2283 | Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (116 - 35) |
6/15 | S 2472 | Extends Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency | Bill Passed - House (146 - 14) |
6/16 | S 2924 | Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations | Bill Passed - House (126 - 29) |
2/01 | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3) |
6/15 | S 2475 | Amends Measures Adopted During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (150 - 10) |
5/31 | H Amdt 11 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43) |
7/01 | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
4/04 | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
10/08 | SB 2028 | Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan | Bill Passed - House (114 - 36) |
7/09 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
7/09 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
6/18 | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
5/24 | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
6/21 | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
10/26 | S 2200 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
10/18 | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
6/30 | S 2988 | Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
6/30 | S 2987 | Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
10/18 | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
10/18 | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
1/18 | S 2551 | Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
1/10 | H 4241 | Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties | Bill Passed - House (151 - 0) |
7/09 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
5/23 | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
5/23 | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
7/19 | S 2598 | Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
6/30 | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
7/14 | S 2800 | Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
7/14 | S 2800 | Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
7/28 | S 2844 | Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
4/25 | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
4/04 | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0) |
5/26 | H 4703 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (139 - 17) |
11/18 | S 2210 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
2/04 | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
10/11 | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
6/14 | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
6/14 | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34) |