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. 5, 2018 MI SB 1197 Establishes Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ S 678 Prohibits Disposal of Fracking Waste Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA HB 1822 Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Sept. 17, 2018 National HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Sept. 17, 2018 National HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Sept. 17, 2018 National S 2554 Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
Aug. 21, 2018 CA SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 21, 2018 CA SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
July 31, 2018 MA H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4835 Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 12, 2018 MA S 2595 Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 1, 2018 NJ S 1612 Requires Minimum Nurse Aide-to-Resident Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 28, 2018 MA H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
June 28, 2018 CA AB 1838 Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 28, 2018 DE HB 425 Prohibits Pharmaceutical "Gag Clauses" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
June 27, 2018 DE HB 165 Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 4249 Increases the Use of Hospital Admission Fees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 542 Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 21, 2018 RI H 7715 Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
June 12, 2018 MI SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 12, 2018 MI SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 12, 2018 MI SB 652 Establishes 11-Member Stakeholder Committee to Review and Amend Environmental Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
June 12, 2018 MI SB 654 Establishes an Environmental Science Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 12, 2018 MI SB 653 Establishes a New Environmental Rules Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 12, 2018 MI HB 5901 Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 31, 2018 CA SB 1138 Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 30, 2018 CA SB 905 Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
May 29, 2018 CA SB 836 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 17, 2018 MI SB 826 Establishes Licensing for Naturopaths Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 10, 2018 CA AB 1668 Requires Water-Use Targets Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
May 7, 2018 CO SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 3, 2018 MO SB 917 Authorizes State to Establish Coal Ash Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 3, 2018 MO SB 782 Amends Department of Natural Resources Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 2, 2018 RI S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
May 1, 2018 LA SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
April 25, 2018 IL SB 2332 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
April 23, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
April 19, 2018 MI SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
April 18, 2018 NE LB 117 Authorizes Terminally Ill Individuals to Access Non-FDA Approved Experimental Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
April 12, 2018 National PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (53 - 45)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3380 Requires Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 12, 2018 National PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 2313 Establishes Zero-Emissions Certificate Program for Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
April 3, 2018 RI S 2399 Prohibits Gender Discrimination in Insurance Premiums Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
April 3, 2018 RI S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 30, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 30, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 30, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 29, 2018 HI HB 2739 Authorizes Medical Aid in Dying Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 22, 2018 KS HB 2457 Establishes the Asbestos Trust Claims Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 16, 2018 ID H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 14, 2018 IN HB 1317 Amends Prescription Cost Disclosures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 13)
March 8, 2018 NH SB 313 Establishes New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
March 6, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 5, 2018 CA AJR 29 Expresses Opposition to Executive Offshore Drilling Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
March 3, 2018 WA SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 1, 2018 IN HB 1058 Requires Dissemination of Vaccine Information Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2018 KY HB 4 Amends Malpractice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2018 IN HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2018 WI AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2018 ID S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2018 MD SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2018 WA SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
Feb. 6, 2018 MS SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2018 MS SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2018 MS SB 2588 Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2018 MI SB 409 Authorizes Private Harbor Permits in the Great Lakes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/05 SB 1197 Establishes Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
10/29 S 678 Prohibits Disposal of Fracking Waste Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/17 HB 1822 Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None)
10/17 HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
9/17 HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
9/17 HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
9/17 S 2554 Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
8/21 SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/21 SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/01 HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
7/31 H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/30 H 4835 Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/12 S 2595 Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/01 S 1612 Requires Minimum Nurse Aide-to-Resident Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/28 H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
6/28 AB 1838 Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/28 HB 425 Prohibits Pharmaceutical "Gag Clauses" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
6/27 HB 165 Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
6/25 A 4249 Increases the Use of Hospital Admission Fees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/25 A 542 Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/21 H 7715 Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
6/12 SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/12 SB 542 Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/12 SB 652 Establishes 11-Member Stakeholder Committee to Review and Amend Environmental Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
6/12 SB 654 Establishes an Environmental Science Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/12 SB 653 Establishes a New Environmental Rules Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/12 HB 5901 Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/31 SB 1138 Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/30 SB 905 Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
5/29 SB 836 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/17 SB 826 Establishes Licensing for Naturopaths Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/10 AB 1668 Requires Water-Use Targets Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
5/07 SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/03 SB 917 Authorizes State to Establish Coal Ash Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/03 SB 782 Amends Department of Natural Resources Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/02 S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
5/01 SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
4/25 SB 2332 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
4/23 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
4/19 SB 897 Establishes Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
4/18 LB 117 Authorizes Terminally Ill Individuals to Access Non-FDA Approved Experimental Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
4/12 PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (53 - 45)
4/12 A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/12 A 3380 Requires Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/12 A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/12 PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
4/12 S 2313 Establishes Zero-Emissions Certificate Program for Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
4/12 S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/12 S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/07 HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
4/07 HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
4/03 S 2399 Prohibits Gender Discrimination in Insurance Premiums Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
4/03 S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/30 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/30 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/30 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/29 HB 2739 Authorizes Medical Aid in Dying Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/22 HB 2457 Establishes the Asbestos Trust Claims Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/16 H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/14 HB 1317 Amends Prescription Cost Disclosures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 13)
3/08 SB 313 Establishes New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
3/06 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/05 AJR 29 Expresses Opposition to Executive Offshore Drilling Proposal Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
3/03 SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/01 HB 1058 Requires Dissemination of Vaccine Information Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/27 HB 4 Amends Malpractice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
2/27 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/27 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/22 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/20 AB 128 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/20 S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/12 SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/10 SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
2/06 SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/06 SB 2836 Authorizes Continued Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/05 SB 2588 Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
2/01 S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/01 S 120 Appropriates $7.4 Million to Department of Health Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/23 SB 409 Authorizes Private Harbor Permits in the Great Lakes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)

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