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. 3, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Dec. 3, 2015 | National | HR 8 | North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (249 - 174) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HB 294 | Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Certain Abortion Services | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HCR 31 | Urges the President to Prevent Resettlement of Syrian Refugees into the United States | Joint Resolution Passed - House (65 - 29) |
| Nov. 10, 2015 | IL | HB 2482 | Specifies Determination of Need Score to Qualify for Assistance | Veto Override Failed - House (70 - 38) |
| Nov. 5, 2015 | National | HR 22 | Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (363 - 64) |
| Oct. 27, 2015 | National | S 754 | Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21) |
| Oct. 23, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
| Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Oct. 21, 2015 | OH | SB 214 | Amends Healthcare Funds Distribution | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Oct. 20, 2015 | National | S 2146 | Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
| Oct. 20, 2015 | National | S 2146 | Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45) |
| Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 3457 | Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (251 - 173) |
| Sept. 29, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| Sept. 28, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| Sept. 24, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2669 | Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52) |
| Sept. 17, 2015 | MA | S 1981 | Requires Foreclosure Title Clearing | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | National | HR 3460 | To Suspend Until January 21, 2017, the Authority of the President to Waive, Suspend, Reduce, Provide Relief from, or Otherwise Limit the Application of Sanctions Pursuant to an Agreement Related to the Nuclear Program of Iran | Bill Passed - House (247 - 186) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | National | H Res 411 | Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 186) |
| Sept. 9, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Sept. 9, 2015 | CA | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - House (44 - 35) |
| July 30, 2015 | National | HR 22 | Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| July 29, 2015 | National | HR 1994 | VA Accountability Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 170) |
| July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
| July 21, 2015 | NC | SB 22 | Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
| July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| July 16, 2015 | National | HR 2898 | Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 176) |
| July 13, 2015 | PA | SB 683 | Requires DNA Sample from Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| July 9, 2015 | SC | S 897 | Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds | Bill Passed - House (94 - 20) |
| July 9, 2015 | National | HR 2647 | Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (262 - 167) |
| July 3, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 895 | Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| June 30, 2015 | DE | SB 59 | Authorizes an Undocumented Immigrant to Apply For and Obtain Valid Driving Privileges | Bill Passed - House (22 - 15) |
| June 30, 2015 | OR | SB 895 | Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| June 29, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 29, 2015 | CT | HB 7104 | Amends Drug Sentencing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 25, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Bill Passed - House (46 - 31) |
| June 25, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | S 997 | Establishes a Toll for Large Commercial Trucks | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| June 19, 2015 | CA | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 19, 2015 | CA | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
| June 18, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| June 18, 2015 | National | HR 160 | Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (280 - 140) |
| June 16, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
| June 12, 2015 | FL | HB 31-A | Repeals Certain Requirements for Hospital Construction | Bill Passed - House (72 - 28) |
| June 12, 2015 | FL | HB 23-A | Establishes Recovery Care Services | Bill Passed - House (78 - 21) |
| June 4, 2015 | CA | SB 128 | Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 216 | Authorizes Certain Agencies to Raise Fees | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| June 3, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
| June 2, 2015 | CT | HB 6949 | Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 4 | Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| May 29, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| May 29, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
| May 27, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 25, 2015 | TX | SB 900 | Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Bill Passed - House (97 - 44) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| May 21, 2015 | CT | HB 6965 | Requires Certain Hospitals and Universities to Pay Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (82 - 60) |
| May 21, 2015 | CT | HB 6965 | Requires Certain Hospitals and Universities to Pay Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (82 - 60) |
| May 20, 2015 | National | HR 880 | American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (274 - 145) |
| May 20, 2015 | National | HR 1806 | America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 205) |
| May 19, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (68 - 43) |
| May 19, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - House (78 - 70) |
| May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
| May 17, 2015 | NV | AB 244 | Classifies Certain Graffiti Offenses as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| May 15, 2015 | MO | SB 199 | Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (111 - 43) |
| May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 226 | Limits Use of Funds to Implement New START Treaty | Amendment Adopted - House (235 - 182) |
| May 14, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
| May 12, 2015 | MI | HB 4038 | Authorizes Electronic Notification of Eviction | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| May 7, 2015 | OR | HB 2307 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
| May 7, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
| May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
| May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 7, 2015 | CT | HB 6949 | Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (86 - 56) |
| May 6, 2015 | NH | SB 40 | Amends Definition of "Another" for Certain Criminal Offenses | Bill Passed - House (193 - 159) |
| May 5, 2015 | National | S Con Res 11 | An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48) |
| May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
| May 5, 2015 | CT | HB 6863 | Limits Police Pursuit for Municipal Ordinance Violations | Bill Passed - House (109 - 38) |
| May 1, 2015 | HI | HB 1075 | Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (34 - 16) |
| May 1, 2015 | HI | HB 1075 | Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1) |
| April 29, 2015 | NY | A 4958 | Classifies Conversion Therapy on Minors as Professional Misconduct | Bill Passed - House (111 - 26) |
| April 28, 2015 | OK | HB 1518 | Establishes the Justice Safety Valve Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 31) |
| April 28, 2015 | MN | SF 1458 | 2015-2016 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (72 - 60) |
| April 28, 2015 | CO | SB 268 | Amends Definition of "Person" for Assault and Homicide | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 27, 2015 | MT | SB 416 | Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects | Bill Failed - House (66 - 33) |
| April 27, 2015 | TX | SB 900 | Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 23, 2015 | ND | SB 2304 | Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 22) |
| April 23, 2015 | ND | SB 2304 | Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 22) |
| April 23, 2015 | IL | HB 373 | Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
| April 23, 2015 | TX | SB 158 | Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |