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
Feb. 6, 2020 National H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2020 SD HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 4, 2020 KY SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2020 KY HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2020 SD HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 24, 2020 WA SB 6037 Requires Public Companies to have a Gender-Diverse Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
Jan. 23, 2020 CA AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2020 CA AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 16, 2020 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 15, 2020 National HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
Dec. 11, 2019 National HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
Nov. 21, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
Nov. 20, 2019 PA HB 321 Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Nov. 13, 2019 IL SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
Nov. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Nov. 12, 2019 National HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
Nov. 12, 2019 National HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
Nov. 12, 2019 National HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
Nov. 7, 2019 WI AB 304 Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Nov. 6, 2019 OH SB 155 Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 6, 2019 OH SB 208 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 31, 2019 National H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
Oct. 31, 2019 National H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
Oct. 23, 2019 OH SB 26 Repeals the Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 25, 2019 National HR 1595 Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (321 - 103)
Sept. 25, 2019 National H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/06 H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
2/06 HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
2/06 HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/06 HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/04 HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/04 SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
2/03 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/31 HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/29 HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/24 SB 6037 Requires Public Companies to have a Gender-Diverse Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
1/23 AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
1/23 AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/21 SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/16 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/15 HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
1/15 HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
12/18 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
12/11 HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
11/21 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
11/20 HB 321 Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
11/13 SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
11/07 AB 304 Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
11/06 SB 155 Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/06 SB 208 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
11/05 SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/31 H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
10/31 H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
10/29 SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
10/23 SB 26 Repeals the Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/25 HR 1595 Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (321 - 103)
9/25 H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)

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