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. 3, 2015 National HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
Dec. 1, 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 - House (242 - 180)
Dec. 1, 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 - House (235 - 188)
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. 8, 2015 National HR 538 Native American Energy Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Sept. 25, 2015 National HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
Sept. 25, 2015 National HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
Sept. 11, 2015 CA SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Sept. 11, 2015 CA SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 96 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 2, 2015 CA AB 96 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
July 22, 2015 National HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
July 22, 2015 National HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
July 21, 2015 NC HB 169 Repeals Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (72 - 35)
July 16, 2015 National HR 2898 Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 176)
July 9, 2015 National HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
July 9, 2015 National HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
June 30, 2015 WA SB 5987 Increases Motor Fuel Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
June 24, 2015 National HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
June 12, 2015 MN SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 12, 2015 MN SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 185 Requires Public Retirement Systems to Divest from Coal Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 1, 2015 National HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
June 1, 2015 National HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
May 20, 2015 National HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 15, 2015 National H Amdt 230 Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190)
May 5, 2015 HI HB 623 Requires 100 Percent Dependency on Renewable Energy by 2045 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
May 1, 2015 National HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
May 1, 2015 National HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
April 28, 2015 OR SB 913 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 23, 2015 IL HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 23, 2015 MO HB 830 Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - House (104 - 41)
April 21, 2015 MT SB 245 Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 21, 2015 MT SB 284 Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 15, 2015 MT SB 284 Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
April 15, 2015 MT SB 245 Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
April 14, 2015 WA SB 5501 Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
April 14, 2015 IN HB 1453 Authorizes Deer Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
April 7, 2015 OK SB 71 Expands the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
March 31, 2015 NY S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
March 31, 2015 AL HB 85 Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports Bill Failed - House (28 - 67)
March 26, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
March 25, 2015 MT HB 245 Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 23, 2015 AZ HB 2150 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 23, 2015 AZ HB 2150 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 23, 2015 CO HB 1259 Authorizes Collection of Rooftop Precipitation Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 20, 2015 NM SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
March 19, 2015 ND SB 2351 Authorizes Corporate Dairy and Swine Farms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 16, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Concurrence Vote Failed - House (49 - 49)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 11, 2015 NC HB 157 Authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to Use Existing State and Federal Hydraulic Fracturing Air Emission Regulations Bill Passed - House (76 - 40)
March 9, 2015 MT HB 212 Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 9, 2015 WA SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 9, 2015 WA SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 9, 2015 UT HB 396 Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
March 9, 2015 UT HB 396 Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
March 7, 2015 NM HB 235 Requires Consent to Use Waterways that Flow Through Private Property Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
March 5, 2015 UT HB 104 Authorizes Cow-Share Programs Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
March 4, 2015 OR SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 4, 2015 WV HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
March 2, 2015 NM SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
March 2, 2015 WA SB 5987 Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2015 WV SB 357 Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2015 MT SB 262 Establishes Water Rights Compact Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 24, 2015 CO SB 93 Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2015 IN SJR 12 Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2015 IN SJR 12 Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28)
Feb. 19, 2015 CO HB 1144 Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads Bill Passed - House (47 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2015 OR SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 17, 2015 ND HB 1238 Increases Fee on Cattle Sales Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2015 NM SB 253 Prohibits Coyote Hunting Contests Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 5, 2015 MT HB 250 Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2015 MO HB 259 Amends Dairy Industry Laws Bill Passed - House (110 - 49)
Feb. 3, 2015 MT HB 212 Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/03 HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
12/01 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 - House (242 - 180)
12/01 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 - House (235 - 188)
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)
10/08 HR 538 Native American Energy Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
9/25 HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
9/25 HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
9/11 SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
9/11 SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
9/04 AB 96 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
9/04 AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/02 AB 96 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
7/22 HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
7/22 HR 1734 Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (258 - 166)
7/21 HB 169 Repeals Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (72 - 35)
7/16 HR 2898 Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 176)
7/09 HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
7/09 HR 2647 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
6/30 SB 5987 Increases Motor Fuel Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
6/24 HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
6/12 SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/12 SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/03 SB 350 Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/03 SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/03 SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/03 SB 185 Requires Public Retirement Systems to Divest from Coal Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/01 HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
6/01 HR 1335 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 152)
5/20 HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/15 H Amdt 230 Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190)
5/05 HB 623 Requires 100 Percent Dependency on Renewable Energy by 2045 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
5/01 HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
5/01 HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
4/28 SB 913 Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/23 HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/23 HB 830 Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - House (104 - 41)
4/21 SB 245 Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/21 SB 284 Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/15 SB 284 Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
4/15 SB 245 Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
4/14 SB 5501 Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
4/14 HB 1453 Authorizes Deer Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
4/07 SB 71 Expands the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
3/31 S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
3/31 HB 85 Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports Bill Failed - House (28 - 67)
3/26 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
3/25 HB 245 Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
3/24 SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/23 HB 2150 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/23 HB 2150 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/23 HB 1259 Authorizes Collection of Rooftop Precipitation Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/20 SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
3/19 SB 2351 Authorizes Corporate Dairy and Swine Farms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/16 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/14 HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Concurrence Vote Failed - House (49 - 49)
3/14 HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/11 HB 157 Authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to Use Existing State and Federal Hydraulic Fracturing Air Emission Regulations Bill Passed - House (76 - 40)
3/09 HB 212 Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/09 SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/09 SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/09 HB 396 Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
3/09 HB 396 Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
3/07 HB 235 Requires Consent to Use Waterways that Flow Through Private Property Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
3/05 HB 104 Authorizes Cow-Share Programs Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
3/04 SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/04 HB 2688 Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
3/02 SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
3/02 SB 5987 Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/27 SB 357 Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
2/26 SB 262 Establishes Water Rights Compact Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/24 SB 93 Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/24 SJR 12 Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28)
2/24 SJR 12 Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28)
2/19 HB 1144 Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads Bill Passed - House (47 - 18)
2/17 SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/17 HB 1238 Increases Fee on Cattle Sales Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
2/13 SB 253 Prohibits Coyote Hunting Contests Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/05 HB 250 Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/04 HB 259 Amends Dairy Industry Laws Bill Passed - House (110 - 49)
2/03 HB 212 Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)

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