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
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Oct. 15, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Oct. 14, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
Oct. 9, 2025 National S 2296 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
Oct. 8, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Oct. 8, 2025 MI HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2025 PA SB 1040 Authorizes Treasurer Stacy Garrity to Waive Interest, Costs and Fees on Loans Administered Through her Short-Term Loan Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Oct. 3, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI SB 579 Authorizes the State to Continue Collecting Certain Environmental Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4183 Increases the Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4180 Exempts Gas and Airline Fuel from Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4951 Establishes the Imposition, Collection, and Enforcement of Excise Taxes on Certain Sales of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 96 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Sept. 30, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
Sept. 30, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Sept. 29, 2025 National S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
Sept. 19, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
Sept. 19, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
Sept. 16, 2025 National S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 245 Extends the Time that Individuals Have to Rebuild Their Home or Business Following Disaster Before Experiencing a Property Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 National S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 564 Reduces the State Cannabis Excise Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 1)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 831 Prohibits the Facilitation or Usage of Online Sweepstakes Games that Utilize a Dual-Currency System Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 4, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
Sept. 2, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
Aug. 26, 2025 TX HB 23 Establishes Property Tax Exemptions for Nonprofit Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Aug. 21, 2025 CA SB 280 Establishes Timelines Procedures, and Appropriates Funding for Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 18, 2025 TX SB 5 (2nd Special Session) Appropriates Supplemental Funds for Disaster Relief and Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 1 (Special Session) Requires Youth Camps Located in 100-Year Floodplains to Develop and Carry Out Flood Evacuation Plans During Flood Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 16 (Special Session) Appropriates Funding for the State Judicial Omnibus Package Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 3 (Special Session) Appropriates $200 Million to Cover the Projected 25% Non-Federal Matching Funds for FEMA Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Aug. 6, 2025 TX SB 9 (Special Session) Reduces State Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
July 31, 2025 MA H 4307 Appropriates Funds for Municipal Road and Bridge Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2025 TX SB 12 (Special Session) Prohibit Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
July 29, 2025 NC HB 87 Authorizes the State to Participate in the One Big Beautiful Bill's Educational Choice Incentive Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 17, 2025 CA SB 119 Appropriates Funding for the Public Social Services Trailer Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 17, 2025 CA SB 119 Appropriates Funding for the Public Social Services Trailer Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 17, 2025 CA AB 104 Requires Changes to the Budget by Adding, Removing, or Updating Funding for Certain Programs. Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/16 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
10/15 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
10/14 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
10/09 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/09 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
10/09 S 2296 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
10/08 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/08 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
10/08 HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
10/08 SB 1040 Authorizes Treasurer Stacy Garrity to Waive Interest, Costs and Fees on Loans Administered Through her Short-Term Loan Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
10/03 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
10/03 HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
10/03 SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 SB 579 Authorizes the State to Continue Collecting Certain Environmental Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
10/03 HB 4183 Increases the Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
10/03 HB 4180 Exempts Gas and Airline Fuel from Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
10/03 HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4951 Establishes the Imposition, Collection, and Enforcement of Excise Taxes on Certain Sales of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
10/01 HB 96 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
9/30 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
9/30 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
9/29 S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
9/19 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
9/19 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
9/16 S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
9/11 AB 245 Extends the Time that Individuals Have to Rebuild Their Home or Business Following Disaster Before Experiencing a Property Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/10 S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
9/10 AB 564 Reduces the State Cannabis Excise Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 1)
9/08 AB 831 Prohibits the Facilitation or Usage of Online Sweepstakes Games that Utilize a Dual-Currency System Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/04 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
9/02 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
8/26 HB 23 Establishes Property Tax Exemptions for Nonprofit Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
8/21 SB 280 Establishes Timelines Procedures, and Appropriates Funding for Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/18 SB 5 (2nd Special Session) Appropriates Supplemental Funds for Disaster Relief and Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
8/12 HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
8/12 HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
8/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
8/12 SB 1 (Special Session) Requires Youth Camps Located in 100-Year Floodplains to Develop and Carry Out Flood Evacuation Plans During Flood Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
8/12 SB 16 (Special Session) Appropriates Funding for the State Judicial Omnibus Package Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
8/12 SB 3 (Special Session) Appropriates $200 Million to Cover the Projected 25% Non-Federal Matching Funds for FEMA Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
8/06 SB 9 (Special Session) Reduces State Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
7/31 H 4307 Appropriates Funds for Municipal Road and Bridge Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 SB 12 (Special Session) Prohibit Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
7/29 HB 87 Authorizes the State to Participate in the One Big Beautiful Bill's Educational Choice Incentive Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/17 SB 119 Appropriates Funding for the Public Social Services Trailer Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/17 SB 119 Appropriates Funding for the Public Social Services Trailer Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/17 AB 104 Requires Changes to the Budget by Adding, Removing, or Updating Funding for Certain Programs. Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)

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