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. 20, 2017 National HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
Dec. 2, 2017 National HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Nov. 17, 2017 OK HB 1085 Increases Tax Rates on Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
Oct. 23, 2017 National HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Cloture Invoked - Senate (79 - 16)
Oct. 19, 2017 National H Con Res 71 Establishing the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2018 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Oct. 12, 2017 MI HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Sept. 18, 2017 National HR 2810 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2017 WI AB 1 Establishes Tax Incentives for Manufacturing Zone Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Sept. 7, 2017 National HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
July 27, 2017 PA HB 453 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 7, 2017 MA H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
July 6, 2017 OR HB 2017 Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
July 4, 2017 IL SB 6 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
July 2, 2017 DE HB 279 Increases Rate of Realty Transfer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
June 30, 2017 PA HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 30, 2017 PA HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 30, 2017 WA SB 5883 Establishes Washington State's Budget for the Fiscal Biennium 2017-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
June 22, 2017 NH HB 144 Establishes the State Budget for the 2018-2019 Biennium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 21, 2017 OR HB 2391 Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 16, 2017 WV SB 1013 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
June 16, 2017 LA HB 1 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 14, 2017 MI HB 4323 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 13, 2017 WV SB 1013 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 6, 2017 KS SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
June 4, 2017 NV SB 546 Establishes 2-Year State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 25, 2017 MA H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 24, 2017 OK SB 845 Establishes a Fee for Cigarette Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
May 23, 2017 IL SB 9 Increases Taxes to Fund the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
May 17, 2017 IL SB 6 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
May 15, 2017 AK HB 111 Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
May 12, 2017 NC S 257 Establishes State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
May 9, 2017 NE LB 327 Appropriates Funds for Nebraska Government Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
May 4, 2017 National HR 244 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
May 4, 2017 AL HB 155 Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
May 4, 2017 AL HB 155 Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 20, 2017 IA SF 516 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 19, 2017 TN HB 534 Establishes Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 19, 2017 LA SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 13, 2017 MT HB 473 Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
April 9, 2017 NY A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 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 AK HB 57 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 6, 2017 WV HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 6, 2017 WA SB 5893 Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 4, 2017 IN HB 1384 Expands Indiana's Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
April 4, 2017 AL SB 129 Establishes Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 30, 2017 MT SB 354 Raises Cigarette Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 29, 2017 OH HB 26 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
March 24, 2017 MD SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 22, 2017 ID H 67 Repeals Grocery Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2017 OK SB 170 Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
March 13, 2017 NJ S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2017 AR SB 140 Requires Internet Retailers to Collect State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Feb. 2, 2017 KS SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Jan. 17, 2017 NY S 362 Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
Jan. 12, 2017 National S Con Res 3 A Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2017 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2018 Through 2026 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
12/02 HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
11/17 HB 1085 Increases Tax Rates on Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
10/24 HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
10/23 HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Cloture Invoked - Senate (79 - 16)
10/19 H Con Res 71 Establishing the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2018 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
10/12 HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
9/18 HR 2810 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 8)
9/12 AB 1 Establishes Tax Incentives for Manufacturing Zone Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
9/07 HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
7/27 HB 453 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
7/25 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/25 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/07 H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
7/06 HB 2017 Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
7/04 SB 6 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
7/02 HB 279 Increases Rate of Realty Transfer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
6/30 HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/30 HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/30 SB 5883 Establishes Washington State's Budget for the Fiscal Biennium 2017-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
6/22 HB 144 Establishes the State Budget for the 2018-2019 Biennium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/21 HB 2391 Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/16 SB 1013 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
6/16 HB 1 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/14 HB 4323 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/13 SB 1013 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/06 SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
6/04 SB 546 Establishes 2-Year State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/25 H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/24 SB 845 Establishes a Fee for Cigarette Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
5/23 SB 9 Increases Taxes to Fund the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
5/17 SB 6 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
5/15 HB 111 Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
5/12 S 257 Establishes State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
5/09 LB 327 Appropriates Funds for Nebraska Government Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
5/04 HR 244 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
5/04 HB 155 Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
5/04 HB 155 Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/20 SF 516 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/19 HB 534 Establishes Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/19 SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/13 HB 473 Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
4/09 A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 4)
4/06 HB 2052 Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
4/06 HB 57 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/06 HB 2646 Terminates West Virginia Women's Commission Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/06 SB 5893 Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/04 HB 1384 Expands Indiana's Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
4/04 SB 129 Establishes Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
3/30 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/30 SB 354 Raises Cigarette Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/30 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/29 HB 26 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
3/24 SB 1081 Establishes Funds to Support Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/22 H 67 Repeals Grocery Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 SB 170 Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
3/13 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/06 SB 140 Requires Internet Retailers to Collect State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
2/02 SB 30 Establishes Tax Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
1/17 S 362 Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
1/12 S Con Res 3 A Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2017 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2018 Through 2026 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)

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