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. 13, 2017 | OH | HB 214 | Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
Dec. 6, 2017 | National | HR 38 | Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 198) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 586 | Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 366 | Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 455 | Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | SB 54 | Requires Department of Corrections to Revoke Parole under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
Nov. 2, 2017 | WI | AB 128 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in State Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
Nov. 2, 2017 | WI | AB 455 | Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision | Bill Passed - House (57 - 32) |
Nov. 1, 2017 | OH | HB 214 | Prohibits Abortion After a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
Oct. 26, 2017 | MA | S 2200 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Oct. 26, 2017 | IL | HB 4117 | Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Failed - House (48 - 54) |
Oct. 24, 2017 | National | HR 2142 | International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act | Bill Passed - House (412 - 3) |
Oct. 11, 2017 | OH | HB 79 | Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty | Bill Passed - House (90 - 7) |
Oct. 11, 2017 | MA | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
Sept. 28, 2017 | National | HR 2792 | Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (244 - 171) |
Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | SB 394 | Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - House (44 - 30) |
Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | AJR 24 | Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Sept. 14, 2017 | CA | SB 179 | Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Sept. 14, 2017 | CA | AB 569 | Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 20) |
Sept. 14, 2017 | National | HR 3697 | Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act | Bill Passed - House (233 - 175) |
Sept. 13, 2017 | CA | SB 179 | Recognizes Nonbinary as an Official Legal Gender | Bill Passed - House (57 - 21) |
Sept. 12, 2017 | CA | AB 569 | Prohibits Firing Employees for Obtaining Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Sept. 12, 2017 | CA | AJR 24 | Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity | Bill Passed - House (47 - 28) |
Sept. 11, 2017 | CA | AB 424 | Amends School Gun Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27) |
Sept. 11, 2017 | CA | AB 291 | Prohibits Landlords from Disclosing Immigration Status of Tenants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 20) |
Aug. 13, 2017 | TX | HB 214 | Premium Increase for Non-Emergency Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
Aug. 4, 2017 | TX | HB 215 | Requires Additional Reporting for Abortions Performed on Minors | Bill Passed - House (97 - 46) |
July 25, 2017 | TX | SB 10 | Changes for Abortion Requirements at Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
July 6, 2017 | OR | SB 719 | Authorizes Court to Prohibit Suicidal Individuals from Owning Guns | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 3464 | Prohibits Disclosure of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
July 6, 2017 | OH | HB 233 | Amends Regulations of Gun-Free Zones | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 3391 | Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
July 1, 2017 | OR | HB 3391 | Requires Coverage for Abortions and Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (33 - 23) |
June 30, 2017 | WA | SB 5975 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - House (65 - 29) |
June 30, 2017 | WA | SB 5975 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
June 29, 2017 | DE | HB 249 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Betting | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3004 | Kate's Law | Bill Passed - House (257 - 167) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3004 | Kate's Law | Bill Passed - House (257 - 167) |
June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 39) |
June 28, 2017 | PA | SB 383 | Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
June 26, 2017 | RI | HB 5510A | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Restraining Order from Possessing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
June 26, 2017 | RI | HB 5510A | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Restraining Order from Possessing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
June 21, 2017 | WI | SB 68 | Amends Prohibition on Baiting and Feeding Deer | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
June 21, 2017 | WI | AB 299 | Authorizes Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
June 20, 2017 | OR | HB 3464 | Prohibits Disclosure of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
June 19, 2017 | NY | S 5512A | Establishes Harsher Penalties for Bomb Threats Against Community Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
June 19, 2017 | NJ | S 3067 | Prohibits Transgender Discrimination in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
June 15, 2017 | NY | S 5682 | Authorizes Phone Call After Prison Transfer | Bill Passed - House (107 - 29) |
June 15, 2017 | RI | S 237A | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Juveniles with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
June 14, 2017 | WI | SB 68 | Amends Prohibition on Baiting and Feeding Deer | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 13, 2017 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - House (136 - 56) |
June 13, 2017 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - House (136 - 56) |
June 7, 2017 | National | HR 2213 | Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (282 - 137) |
June 7, 2017 | MI | HB 4416 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Firearms Without Permits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 49) |
June 6, 2017 | LA | SB 139 | Establishes New Parole Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 6, 2017 | DE | SB 5 | Authorizes Abortions Before the Point of Viability | Bill Passed - House (22 - 16) |
June 1, 2017 | NH | SB 66 | Authorizes Murder Charges for an Individual Who Causes the Death of a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (186 - 170) |
June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 42 | Amends Money Bail Procedures | Bill Failed - House (35 - 37) |
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 | IL | HB 1785 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 639 | Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines | Bill Passed - House (105 - 2) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 639 | Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines | Bill Passed - House (105 - 2) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | HB 1785 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 1761 | Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense | Bill Passed - House |
May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 10 | Establishes New Provisions for the Criminal Justice System | (25 - 11) |
May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 394 | Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
May 30, 2017 | LA | HB 27 | Extends Domestic Abuse Laws to Dating Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
May 30, 2017 | IL | SB 1696 | Establishes a Muslim Advisory Council | Bill Passed - House |
May 30, 2017 | IL | HB 2462 | Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
May 29, 2017 | IL | SB 31 | Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
May 25, 2017 | IL | HB 1785 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People | Bill Passed - House |
May 25, 2017 | IL | HB 1785 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People | Bill Passed - House |
May 24, 2017 | ME | LD 347 | Authorizes the Prescription of Lethal Doses of Drugs to Terminally Ill Patients | |
May 24, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
May 24, 2017 | LA | HB 269 | Establishes Protections of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
May 24, 2017 | LA | HB 269 | Establishes Protections of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
May 24, 2017 | OH | HB 132 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
May 24, 2017 | OH | HB 132 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
May 23, 2017 | ME | LD 347 | Authorizes the Prescription of Lethal Doses of Drugs to Terminally Ill Patients | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 85) |
May 22, 2017 | NJ | A 3532 | Establishes Fantasy Sports Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
May 18, 2017 | National | HR 115 | Thin Blue Line Act | Bill Passed - House (271 - 143) |
May 17, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
May 17, 2017 | IL | SB 7 | Establishes Gambling Industry Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 24) |
May 16, 2017 | NE | LB 289 | Authorizes Life Prison Terms for Sex Traffickers and Solicitors | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
May 15, 2017 | LA | HB 71 | Prohibits Removal of Public Military Memorials | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
May 11, 2017 | AL | SB 200 | Prohibits Criminal History Inquiries by Employers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
May 10, 2017 | VT | S 22 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 66) |
May 10, 2017 | VT | S 22 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 66) |
May 10, 2017 | CO | HB 1329 | Establishes Requirements for Youth Corrections Centers | (21 - 14) |
May 10, 2017 | CO | HB 1329 | Establishes Requirements for Youth Corrections Centers | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 22) |
May 10, 2017 | IL | HB 40 | Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |