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
July 2, 2020 CA SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 30, 2020 OH HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 26, 2020 VT H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
June 26, 2020 GA HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
June 26, 2020 MS SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
June 25, 2020 CA ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 25, 2020 CA ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1494 Establishes Benefits for Public Works Employees That Die on the Job Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 12, 2020 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 12, 2020 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 9, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 2, 2020 CO HB 20-1153 Authorizes the State Employee's Union to Collectively Bargain with the State Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 12, 2020 OK HB 2760 Reduces the Annual Affordable Housing Tax Credits Offered by the State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
May 5, 2020 OK SB 1073 Expands Oklahoma's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 24, 2020 MI SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 10, 2020 VT S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 18, 2020 National HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 17, 2020 ID H 509 Prohibits Gender Change on Birth Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 16, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 15, 2020 MD SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 13, 2020 FL HB 1259 Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
March 12, 2020 MS SB 2522 Requires Employers to Pay Employees the Same Wage Regardless of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
March 11, 2020 WA SB 6478 Reduces Sanctions Related to Noncompliance with TANF Work Requirements for Abuse Survivors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 11, 2020 WA SB 6478 Reduces Sanctions Related to Noncompliance with TANF Work Requirements for Abuse Survivors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 10, 2020 IN HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 6, 2020 UT SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 6)
March 6, 2020 FL HB 43 Amends Child Welfare Training Standards Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2441 Increases Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 5, 2020 AL SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 4, 2020 SC H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
March 3, 2020 UT HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 SD SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2020 MI SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 UT SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
Feb. 26, 2020 IA SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2020 WI AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2020 NM HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2020 WA SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2020 KY SB 30 Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2020 NE LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/02 SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/30 HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/29 S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/26 H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
6/26 HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
6/26 SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
6/25 ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/25 ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/16 HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
6/16 HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
6/16 HB 1494 Establishes Benefits for Public Works Employees That Die on the Job Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/13 SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/13 SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/09 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/02 HB 20-1153 Authorizes the State Employee's Union to Collectively Bargain with the State Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/13 HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/12 HB 2760 Reduces the Annual Affordable Housing Tax Credits Offered by the State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
5/05 SB 1073 Expands Oklahoma's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/24 SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/22 SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/10 S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/18 HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
3/17 SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/17 H 509 Prohibits Gender Change on Birth Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/16 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/15 SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/13 HB 1259 Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/12 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
3/12 HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
3/12 SB 2522 Requires Employers to Pay Employees the Same Wage Regardless of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
3/11 SB 6478 Reduces Sanctions Related to Noncompliance with TANF Work Requirements for Abuse Survivors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/11 SB 6478 Reduces Sanctions Related to Noncompliance with TANF Work Requirements for Abuse Survivors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/11 HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/10 HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
3/09 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/06 SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 6)
3/06 HB 43 Amends Child Welfare Training Standards Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/05 HB 2441 Increases Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/05 HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/05 HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/05 SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/04 H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/03 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
3/03 HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
2/26 SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/26 SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/26 SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
2/26 SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/25 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/25 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
2/19 AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/19 HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
2/17 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/13 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/13 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/12 SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/12 SB 30 Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
2/11 LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
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)

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