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. 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)
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. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
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. 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 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
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. 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. 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. 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 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. 9, 2019 CA AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 378 Authorizes Collective Bargaining for Childcare Workers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1291 Requires Cannabis Businesses to Enter Into Labor Peace Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 500 Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Aug. 13, 2019 NC SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AB 711 Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 29, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 19, 2019 National PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 17, 2019 OR HB 3076 Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
June 17, 2019 NY A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
June 17, 2019 NY S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
June 14, 2019 NY S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
June 14, 2019 NY S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
June 11, 2019 NY S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
June 11, 2019 NY S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
June 11, 2019 NY S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
June 11, 2019 NY S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 6, 2019 OR HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions (17 - 11)
June 5, 2019 WI AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2019 AL HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
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)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
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)
1/22 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 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
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)
11/06 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)
10/23 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)
9/26 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 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)
9/09 AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
9/05 AB 378 Authorizes Collective Bargaining for Childcare Workers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/05 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/05 AB 1291 Requires Cannabis Businesses to Enter Into Labor Peace Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
9/04 AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/04 AB 175 Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/04 AB 500 Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
8/13 SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
8/12 AB 711 Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/17 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/29 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/19 PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
6/18 LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/17 HB 3076 Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
6/17 A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
6/17 S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
6/14 S 4203 Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
6/14 S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
6/11 S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
6/11 S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
6/11 S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
6/11 S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
6/10 LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
6/10 LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/10 LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/06 HB 2016 Establishes a Worker's Right to Participate in Labor Unions (17 - 11)
6/05 AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/05 LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
5/30 HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
5/30 HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)

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