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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 21, 2017 | National | HR 4667 | Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes | Bill Passed - House (251 - 169) |
Dec. 7, 2017 | National | H J Res 123 | Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - House (235 - 193) |
Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | OK | HB 1054 | Increases Tax Rate on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Fuel Products | Bill Failed - House (71 - 27) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 586 | Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 165 | Authorizes Role in a Constitutional Convention | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
Oct. 31, 2017 | MI | SB 253 | Appropriates Supplemental Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 2) |
Oct. 25, 2017 | National | HR 469 | Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 187) |
Oct. 24, 2017 | National | HR 732 | Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (238 - 183) |
Oct. 17, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40) |
Oct. 17, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40) |
Oct. 16, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
Oct. 16, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
Oct. 12, 2017 | MI | HB 4999 | Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
Sept. 26, 2017 | PA | HB 171 | Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher | Bill Passed - House (106 - 91) |
Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Sept. 14, 2017 | National | HR 3354 | Making Appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. | Bill Passed - House (211 - 198) |
Sept. 14, 2017 | MI | SB 335 | Authorizes Unrestricted Campaign Contributions by PACs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 28, 2017 | IL | SB 1947 | Establishes School Funding Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
July 28, 2017 | National | HR 3180 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 | Bill Passed - House (380 - 35) |
July 27, 2017 | National | HR 3219 | Make America Secure Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 192) |
July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9) |
July 6, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
June 30, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 49 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 40) |
June 28, 2017 | OH | SB 79 | Requires Review of Cabinet Departments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
June 21, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
June 21, 2017 | OH | HB 41 | Amends Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
June 15, 2017 | RI | S 237A | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Juveniles with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
June 15, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
June 14, 2017 | WI | AB 165 | Authorizes Role in a Constitutional Convention | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
June 6, 2017 | LA | SB 139 | Establishes New Parole Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 6, 2017 | NC | SB 655 | Establishes New Primary Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (71 - 46) |
June 4, 2017 | NV | SB 546 | Establishes 2-Year State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
June 1, 2017 | NH | SB 3 | Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (191 - 162) |
June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 1578 | Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 31 | Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
May 31, 2017 | RI | H 5702A | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMV | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
May 29, 2017 | IL | SB 31 | Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
May 18, 2017 | NV | SB 176 | Requires Police Officers to Wear Body Cameras | Bill Passed - House (33 - 9) |
May 16, 2017 | NE | LB 289 | Authorizes Life Prison Terms for Sex Traffickers and Solicitors | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 74 | Authorizes REAL ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (27 - 13) |
May 12, 2017 | NC | S 257 | Establishes State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
May 11, 2017 | National | PN 42 | Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative | (82 - 14) |
May 11, 2017 | National | PN 42 | Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative | Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15) |
May 10, 2017 | PA | SB 560 | Establishes Provisions for Police Use of Body Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
May 9, 2017 | CO | SB 301 | Amends Funds and Regulations for Renewable Energy Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 9, 2017 | CO | HB 1375 | Requires School Districts to Develop a Plan to Equitably Distribute Funds | Bill Passed - House (65 - 0) |
May 8, 2017 | NE | LB 259 | Authorizes Release Options for Inmates Unable to Pay for Bail | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 3) |
May 6, 2017 | TX | HB 25 | Prohibits One-Punch Straight Ticket Voting | Bill Passed - House (88 - 57) |
May 5, 2017 | IL | SB 1933 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
May 4, 2017 | AL | HB 155 | Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
May 4, 2017 | CA | AB 84 | Authorizes Earlier Presidential Primary | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
May 4, 2017 | IL | SB 31 | Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21) |
May 2, 2017 | National | PN 47 | Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37) |
May 2, 2017 | WI | SB 15 | Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 2, 2017 | OH | HB 49 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
May 2, 2017 | WI | SB 15 | Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 2, 2017 | WI | SB 15 | Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 1, 2017 | National | PN 47 | Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission | Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36) |
April 27, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38) |
April 27, 2017 | MI | HB 4177 | Amends Guidelines for Party Labels on Ballots | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44) |
April 26, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39) |
April 26, 2017 | PA | HB 671 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (134 - 53) |
April 25, 2017 | MT | SB 366 | Establishes Real-ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (83 - 17) |
April 25, 2017 | NY | S 1229 | Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
April 25, 2017 | NY | S 1229 | Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
April 24, 2017 | NE | LB 75 | Restores Voting Rights Upon Completion of a Felony Sentence | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
April 21, 2017 | MT | SB 368 | Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
April 20, 2017 | MN | HF 600 | Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31) |
April 20, 2017 | IA | SF 516 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
April 13, 2017 | AZ | SB 1236 | Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
April 11, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30) |
April 11, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43) |
April 11, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43) |
April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
April 9, 2017 | WV | HB 2018 | Reduces State Spending | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37) |
April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
April 7, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | (54 - 45) |
April 6, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
April 6, 2017 | KS | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
April 6, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
April 6, 2017 | IL | HB 109 | Establishes Stopgap Budget | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |