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. 25, 2022 OR SB 1550 Transfers Immigrant Office to Department of Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2022 IL SB 3120 Establishes Family Bereavement Leave Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2022 MO SB 672 Expands the Fast Track Scholarship Grant Program by 7 Years Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2022 GA SB 435 Prohibits Transgender Students Participation in Sports Teams Matching Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2022 AZ SB 1494 Prohibits the Non-Vaccinated Terminated Persons from Being Denied Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2022 AZ SB 1494 Prohibits the Non-Vaccinated Terminated Persons from Being Denied Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2022 ME LD 344 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2022 AZ SB 1718 Appropriates Funds for Border Security Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2022 IL SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2022 IL SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2022 FL SB 896 Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2022 WY SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2022 WY SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2022 AL SB 184 Establishes that Providing Gender Affirming Therapy to Children is a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2022 WI AB 937 Reduces the Number of Weeks of Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2022 WI AB 936 Authorizes Able Bodied Individuals Who Deny Job Offers to Qualify for Medicaid Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2022 VA HB 283 Establishes Human Trafficking Training For Law Enforcement Personnel Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2022 AR SB 2 Appropriates Monies for Governor's Office Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Feb. 15, 2022 NM HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2022 NM HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2022 OR SB 1513 Requires Employers to Notify Employees of Mandatory Overtime Hours in Advance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA SB 4 Limits the Duration of Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2022 National PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2022 LA SB 15 Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2022 NE LB 310 Reduces Inheritance Taxes; Increases Exemptions Therefrom Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
Feb. 11, 2022 NM SB 7 Establishes a $15 State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2022 ID S 1255 Establishes the Empowering Parents Grant Program with Funds from the American Rescue Plan Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
Feb. 8, 2022 WV SB 3 Requires Work Search Activities from Unemployed Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2022 NH SB 399 Repeals the 24-Week Abortion Ban and Ultrasound Mandate "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2022 NH HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 2, 2022 AZ SB 1165 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2022 AZ SB 1009 Limits the Governor's Power to Declare a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2022 AZ SB 1165 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Jan. 19, 2022 SD SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 5, 2022 NH SB 38 Requires the Organization of Alternative Treatment Centers Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Jan. 5, 2022 NH HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
Jan. 5, 2022 NH HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
Jan. 5, 2022 IL HB 3138 Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
Jan. 5, 2022 ME SP 620 Authorizes Legislature to Continue Meeting Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Dec. 14, 2021 MI SB 771 Amends Strategic Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 8, 2021 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Nov. 16, 2021 OH SB 258 Establishes Congressional District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 2, 2021 NC SB 740 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Oct. 28, 2021 IL HB 1291 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 18)
Oct. 28, 2021 IA SF 621 Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI HB 5267 Exempts Feminine Hygiene Products from State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Oct. 7, 2021 MI HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 (20 - 16)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 1, 2021 IN HB 1581 Amends Redistricting Maps Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
Sept. 28, 2021 WI SB 16 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Sept. 28, 2021 CT SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1084 Requires Retailers and Department Stores to Have a Gender Neutral Section Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 570 Requires Health Insurance Plans to Make Coverage Available to their Members' Dependent Parents Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 MI HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2021 CA AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Aug. 11, 2021 National S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
Aug. 5, 2021 AR SB 1 Repeals Accepting Funds from the Federal Unemployment Benefits Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 19, 2021 ME LD 151 Authorizes Farm Workers to Bargain Collectively (18 - 17)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 14, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
June 30, 2021 NJ A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 26, 2021 OR HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/25 SB 1550 Transfers Immigrant Office to Department of Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
2/25 SB 3120 Establishes Family Bereavement Leave Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/24 SB 672 Expands the Fast Track Scholarship Grant Program by 7 Years Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/24 SB 435 Prohibits Transgender Students Participation in Sports Teams Matching Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
2/24 SB 1494 Prohibits the Non-Vaccinated Terminated Persons from Being Denied Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/24 SB 1494 Prohibits the Non-Vaccinated Terminated Persons from Being Denied Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/23 LD 344 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
2/23 SB 1718 Appropriates Funds for Border Security Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/23 SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
2/23 SB 3490 Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
2/23 SB 896 Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/23 SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/23 SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/23 SB 184 Establishes that Providing Gender Affirming Therapy to Children is a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/22 AB 937 Reduces the Number of Weeks of Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/22 AB 936 Authorizes Able Bodied Individuals Who Deny Job Offers to Qualify for Medicaid Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/21 HB 283 Establishes Human Trafficking Training For Law Enforcement Personnel Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/16 SB 2 Appropriates Monies for Governor's Office Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
2/15 HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
2/15 HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
2/15 SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/15 SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/15 SB 1513 Requires Employers to Notify Employees of Mandatory Overtime Hours in Advance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
2/15 SB 4 Limits the Duration of Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/14 PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
2/14 SB 15 Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/11 LB 310 Reduces Inheritance Taxes; Increases Exemptions Therefrom Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
2/11 SB 7 Establishes a $15 State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/10 S 1255 Establishes the Empowering Parents Grant Program with Funds from the American Rescue Plan Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
2/08 SB 3 Requires Work Search Activities from Unemployed Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/04 SB 399 Repeals the 24-Week Abortion Ban and Ultrasound Mandate "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
2/03 HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
2/02 SB 1165 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/02 SB 1009 Limits the Governor's Power to Declare a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/02 SB 1165 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
1/19 SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/05 SB 38 Requires the Organization of Alternative Treatment Centers Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
1/05 HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
1/05 HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
1/05 HB 3138 Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
1/05 SP 620 Authorizes Legislature to Continue Meeting Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
12/14 SB 771 Amends Strategic Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/08 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
11/16 SB 258 Establishes Congressional District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/02 SB 740 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
10/28 HB 1291 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 18)
10/28 SF 621 Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/26 HB 5267 Exempts Feminine Hygiene Products from State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
10/25 SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
10/07 HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 (20 - 16)
10/04 SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
10/01 HB 1581 Amends Redistricting Maps Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
9/28 SB 16 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
9/28 SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
9/02 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/01 AB 1084 Requires Retailers and Department Stores to Have a Gender Neutral Section Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/01 AB 570 Requires Health Insurance Plans to Make Coverage Available to their Members' Dependent Parents Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/01 HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
8/30 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/26 AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
8/11 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
8/11 S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
8/05 SB 1 Repeals Accepting Funds from the Federal Unemployment Benefits Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
7/20 SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/19 LD 151 Authorizes Farm Workers to Bargain Collectively (18 - 17)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/14 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
6/30 A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/26 HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)

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