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
Jan. 8, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 9)
Jan. 5, 2025 IL HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Dec. 21, 2024 National HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 20)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 5303 Repeals Name Change Barriers on Birth Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 5300 Amends State Name Change Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 19, 2024 National HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Motion Agreed - Senate (73 - 23)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Dec. 18, 2024 National HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 27)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 106 Requires Employers to Provide Pay Stubs to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Dec. 12, 2024 MI SB 409 Prohibits Family Homes from Being Included in Excessive Debt Collections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 12, 2024 MI SB 408 Prohibits Wages and Taxpayer-Funded Benefits from Excessive Debt Collections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Dec. 11, 2024 National PN 1789 Nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2029 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
Nov. 20, 2024 OH HB 5 Amends and Modernizes State Adoption Systems Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2024 National PN 923 Nomination of David Huitema to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 46)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5328 Extends Retirement Fund for Judges and Civil Servants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5328 Extends Retirement Fund for Judges and Civil Servants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI SB 167 Authorizes Corrections, Conservation, and Others to Become Members of the Michigan State Police Hybrid Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI SB 166 Transfers Certain Law Enforcement Officers to the Michigan State Police Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI SB 165 Amends Retirement System Membership for Certain Law Enforcement Officers Hired After Enactment Date Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 22, 2024 PA SB 1232 Amends the Workers Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1820 Repeals Licensing Requirements for Natural Hair Braiders Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1700 Prohibits the Public Release of Any Personal Information of Federal Judges Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 MI HB 5127 Extends Disabled Veteran License Plate Registration for Partially Disabled Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 269 Requires DD-214s be Inaccessible to Anyone Other than a Veteran or an Immediate Family Member Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 208 Establishes a Comprehensive Radiation Control Act in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 929 Authorizes Low-Income Access to a Broader Range of Care Centers by Repurposing Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5429 Establishes a Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program for Children Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 791 Defines "Public Employee" for Collective Bargaining Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 790 Requires Individual Home Caregivers be Categorized as Public Employees and Authorizes Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5393 Increases the Maximum Time for a Juvenile to Complete the Terms of a Consent Calendar Case Plan Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 24, 2024 National PN 1342 Nomination of Michael Sfraga of Alaska to be Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 36)
Sept. 17, 2024 MI SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 17, 2024 National S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC SB 445 Amends the Recording of Court-Filed Documents Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1100 Limits Driver License Requirements in Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 1886 Extends Certain State Housing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 2564 Amends Senior Citzen and Disabled Citzen Property Tax Postponement Fund Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1840 Expands the Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 20, 2024 NE LB 4 Appropriates $126,860 for Legislative Special Session Costs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 3)
Aug. 1, 2024 National HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 44)
July 30, 2024 MA H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 115 Amends and Simplifies Heir Estates Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/08 S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 9)
1/05 HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
12/21 HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 20)
12/20 HB 5303 Repeals Name Change Barriers on Birth Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/20 HB 5300 Amends State Name Change Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/19 HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Motion Agreed - Senate (73 - 23)
12/18 SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
12/18 HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 27)
12/18 HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
12/18 HB 106 Requires Employers to Provide Pay Stubs to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
12/12 SB 409 Prohibits Family Homes from Being Included in Excessive Debt Collections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/12 SB 408 Prohibits Wages and Taxpayer-Funded Benefits from Excessive Debt Collections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
12/11 PN 1789 Nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2029 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
11/20 HB 5 Amends and Modernizes State Adoption Systems Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/13 PN 923 Nomination of David Huitema to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 46)
10/30 HB 5328 Extends Retirement Fund for Judges and Civil Servants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
10/30 HB 5328 Extends Retirement Fund for Judges and Civil Servants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
10/30 SB 167 Authorizes Corrections, Conservation, and Others to Become Members of the Michigan State Police Hybrid Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/30 SB 166 Transfers Certain Law Enforcement Officers to the Michigan State Police Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/30 SB 165 Amends Retirement System Membership for Certain Law Enforcement Officers Hired After Enactment Date Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/22 SB 1232 Amends the Workers Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/09 HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/09 HB 1509 Authorizes Various Criminal Sentencing Regulations and Parole Guideline Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/09 HB 1820 Repeals Licensing Requirements for Natural Hair Braiders Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
10/09 HB 1700 Prohibits the Public Release of Any Personal Information of Federal Judges Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/08 HB 5127 Extends Disabled Veteran License Plate Registration for Partially Disabled Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
10/08 HB 269 Requires DD-214s be Inaccessible to Anyone Other than a Veteran or an Immediate Family Member Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/08 HB 208 Establishes a Comprehensive Radiation Control Act in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
10/08 HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
9/26 SB 929 Authorizes Low-Income Access to a Broader Range of Care Centers by Repurposing Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
9/25 HB 5429 Establishes a Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program for Children Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
9/25 SB 791 Defines "Public Employee" for Collective Bargaining Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 SB 790 Requires Individual Home Caregivers be Categorized as Public Employees and Authorizes Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 HB 5393 Increases the Maximum Time for a Juvenile to Complete the Terms of a Consent Calendar Case Plan Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
9/24 PN 1342 Nomination of Michael Sfraga of Alaska to be Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 36)
9/17 SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/17 S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
9/09 SB 445 Amends the Recording of Court-Filed Documents Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
8/29 SB 1100 Limits Driver License Requirements in Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/29 AB 1886 Extends Certain State Housing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
8/28 SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
8/28 AB 2564 Amends Senior Citzen and Disabled Citzen Property Tax Postponement Fund Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 AB 1840 Expands the Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/20 LB 4 Appropriates $126,860 for Legislative Special Session Costs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 3)
8/01 HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 44)
7/30 H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/11 HB 115 Amends and Simplifies Heir Estates Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)

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