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
May 21, 2021 NV SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
May 20, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 20, 2021 IL HB 156 Requires All Schools to Provide Menstrual Products in Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (68 - 43)
May 20, 2021 NJ A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
May 20, 2021 National HR 3237 Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (213 - 212)
May 20, 2021 CA AB 978 Establishes Rent Stabilization and Protections for Mobile Home Owners Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
May 20, 2021 CT HB 6107 Amends Zoning Regulations to Address Long-Standing Housing Inequities Bill Passed - House (84 - 59)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 19, 2021 National S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
May 18, 2021 VT S 101 Expands Affordable Housing Access within Vermont Bill Passed - House (93 - 56)
May 18, 2021 NV SJR 11 Extends Support to Congress to Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 10)
May 18, 2021 TX SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
May 13, 2021 CA AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 RI H 6249 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have a Job Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
May 11, 2021 OR SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
May 11, 2021 WI AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 10, 2021 CA AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
May 6, 2021 OR HB 3178 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Keep their Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)
May 5, 2021 NC HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
May 5, 2021 NC HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 129 Requires All Unemployment Hearings be Held Digitally Bill Passed - House (102 - 99)
April 29, 2021 TN HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 29, 2021 DE HB 155 Establishes New Legal Definitions for Gender, Disability, etc. Bill Passed - House (36 - 4)
April 28, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 28, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (86 - 58)
April 28, 2021 NC HB 616 Amends Laws to Allow Easier Replication of Successful Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 30)
April 27, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 22, 2021 ND HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 22, 2021 IL HB 3195 Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act to Create All-Gender Restrooms Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
April 22, 2021 IL HB 642 Establishes Term Limits on Leadership Positions in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
April 21, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 National HR 1573 Access to Counsel Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 207)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 21, 2021 National HR 1333 NO BAN Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 208)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 NV AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
April 20, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
April 20, 2021 IL HB 3496 Authorizes Chicago Principals to Unionize Bill Passed - House (68 - 44)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 19, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - House (65 - 24)
April 16, 2021 IL HB 25 Establishes the Right to Counsel for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (82 - 25)
April 15, 2021 IN HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 13)
April 15, 2021 VT S 53 Prohibits Taxing Feminine Hygiene Products Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2021 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (217 - 210)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 15, 2021 NV SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 14, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
April 14, 2021 FL HB 1475 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
April 14, 2021 OR HB 3115 Amends Homeless Laws to Allow Homeless Communities to Seek Shelter on Public Property Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 13, 2021 NV SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 9, 2021 WV HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/21 SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
5/20 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
5/20 AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/20 HB 156 Requires All Schools to Provide Menstrual Products in Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (68 - 43)
5/20 A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
5/20 HR 3237 Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (213 - 212)
5/20 AB 978 Establishes Rent Stabilization and Protections for Mobile Home Owners Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
5/20 HB 6107 Amends Zoning Regulations to Address Long-Standing Housing Inequities Bill Passed - House (84 - 59)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/19 S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
5/18 S 101 Expands Affordable Housing Access within Vermont Bill Passed - House (93 - 56)
5/18 SJR 11 Extends Support to Congress to Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 10)
5/18 SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/14 HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
5/13 AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 H 6249 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have a Job Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
5/11 SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
5/11 AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/10 AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
5/06 HB 3178 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Keep their Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)
5/05 HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
5/05 HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
5/04 HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
5/04 HB 129 Requires All Unemployment Hearings be Held Digitally Bill Passed - House (102 - 99)
4/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/29 HB 155 Establishes New Legal Definitions for Gender, Disability, etc. Bill Passed - House (36 - 4)
4/28 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/28 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (86 - 58)
4/28 HB 616 Amends Laws to Allow Easier Replication of Successful Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 30)
4/27 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/22 HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/22 HB 3195 Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act to Create All-Gender Restrooms Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
4/22 HB 642 Establishes Term Limits on Leadership Positions in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
4/21 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 HR 1573 Access to Counsel Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 207)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/21 HR 1333 NO BAN Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 208)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
4/20 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
4/20 HB 3496 Authorizes Chicago Principals to Unionize Bill Passed - House (68 - 44)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/19 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - House (65 - 24)
4/16 HB 25 Establishes the Right to Counsel for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (82 - 25)
4/15 HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 13)
4/15 S 53 Prohibits Taxing Feminine Hygiene Products Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (217 - 210)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/15 SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/14 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
4/14 HB 1475 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
4/14 HB 3115 Amends Homeless Laws to Allow Homeless Communities to Seek Shelter on Public Property Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
4/14 SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/14 SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/13 SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/09 HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 20)

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