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
April 8, 2025 AZ HB 2062 Defines Sex and Gender Terms for Any State Laws, Policies, or Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 8, 2025 AR SB 217 Requires the Department of Human Services to Request a Waiver to Exclude Candy and Soft Drinks from Eligible Foods Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 8, 2025 MT HB 952 Authorizes Tribal Governments to Enter Into Cannabis Compacts with the State Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 8, 2025 CO HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
April 8, 2025 CO HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (82 - 28)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 1616 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Use up to 10 Days of Leave in Any 12-Month Period to Serve as an Organ Donor Bill Passed - House (70 - 34)
April 7, 2025 AR HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
April 7, 2025 National HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
April 7, 2025 National HR 586 Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act Bill Passed - House (411 - 0)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 2978 Establishes the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 3094 Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 37)
April 6, 2025 CO SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1309 Defines "Gender-Affirming Care" Into State Statute and Prohibits Health Insurance Providers from Denying or Limiting Such Care Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
April 5, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
April 5, 2025 MT SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 3, 2025 AR HB 1745 Authorizes Fines for Semi-Truck Drivers Who Cannot Speak English Sufficiently Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 3, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
April 3, 2025 GA SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - House (100 - 2)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 1441 Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 6)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 2, 2025 VA HB 2531 Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to Create an Insurance Program for Paid Family and Medical Leave Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
April 2, 2025 GA HB 136 Expands Georgia's Child Care Tax Credit to Allow Parents to Claim 50% of Their Expenses for Child Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (163 - 4)
April 2, 2025 CO SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 2, 2025 OR HB 2134 Authorizes Tenants to Terminate Lease Early Following Landlord's Notice of Nonrenewal Bill Passed - House (44 - 9)
April 2, 2025 OR SB 973 Requires Landlords of Public Housing to Provide Applicants and New Tenants 30 Month Notice of when the Affordability Restrictions May be Terminated Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
April 2, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
April 2, 2025 TX SB 942 Requires Retroactive Child Support from Conception Date Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 2, 2025 NC HB 96 Authorizes Alleged Squatters to be Removed from Private Property Without the Opportunity to Contest the Claims Bill Passed - House (86 - 29)
April 2, 2025 AR SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering Restrooms, Changing Rooms and Sleeping Quarters Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 2, 2025 PA SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
April 1, 2025 ID H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 HB 2062 Defines Sex and Gender Terms for Any State Laws, Policies, or Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/08 PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
4/08 PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/08 PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/08 SB 217 Requires the Department of Human Services to Request a Waiver to Exclude Candy and Soft Drinks from Eligible Foods Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/08 HB 952 Authorizes Tribal Governments to Enter Into Cannabis Compacts with the State Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/08 HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
4/08 HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
4/08 HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (82 - 28)
4/07 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HB 1616 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Use up to 10 Days of Leave in Any 12-Month Period to Serve as an Organ Donor Bill Passed - House (70 - 34)
4/07 HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
4/07 HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
4/07 HR 586 Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act Bill Passed - House (411 - 0)
4/07 HB 2978 Establishes the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
4/07 HB 3094 Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 37)
4/06 SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1309 Defines "Gender-Affirming Care" Into State Statute and Prohibits Health Insurance Providers from Denying or Limiting Such Care Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
4/05 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
4/05 SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/03 HB 1745 Authorizes Fines for Semi-Truck Drivers Who Cannot Speak English Sufficiently Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/03 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
4/03 SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - House (100 - 2)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/03 SB 1441 Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 6)
4/03 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/03 SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/03 SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/02 HB 2531 Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to Create an Insurance Program for Paid Family and Medical Leave Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
4/02 HB 136 Expands Georgia's Child Care Tax Credit to Allow Parents to Claim 50% of Their Expenses for Child Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (163 - 4)
4/02 SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
4/02 PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
4/02 PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/02 HB 2134 Authorizes Tenants to Terminate Lease Early Following Landlord's Notice of Nonrenewal Bill Passed - House (44 - 9)
4/02 SB 973 Requires Landlords of Public Housing to Provide Applicants and New Tenants 30 Month Notice of when the Affordability Restrictions May be Terminated Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
4/02 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
4/02 SB 942 Requires Retroactive Child Support from Conception Date Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/02 HB 96 Authorizes Alleged Squatters to be Removed from Private Property Without the Opportunity to Contest the Claims Bill Passed - House (86 - 29)
4/02 SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering Restrooms, Changing Rooms and Sleeping Quarters Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/02 SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/01 H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/01 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)

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