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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Aug. 5, 2026 National S J Res 187 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
July 22, 2026 National HR 7008 Stop Insider Trading Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 198)
July 3, 2026 MI HB 4062 Prohibits Former Members of the Legislature from Engaging in Lobbying for Two Years After Leaving Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 18)
July 3, 2026 MI HB 4062 Prohibits Former Members of the Legislature from Engaging in Lobbying for Two Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 30, 2026 National H Res 1399 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment Resolution Passed - House (420 - 0)
May 8, 2026 AL HB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for Congressional Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 8, 2026 AL SB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for State Senate Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - House (75 - 29)
May 7, 2026 TN HB 7003 Amends the Congressional Districts Established Following the 2020 Census Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
May 7, 2026 TN HB 7003 Amends the Congressional Districts Established Following the 2020 Census Bill Passed - House (64 - 25)
May 6, 2026 AL SB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for State Senate Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 6, 2026 AL HB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for Congressional Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - House (75 - 29)
April 29, 2026 National S J Res 139 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
April 29, 2026 National S J Res 99 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents" Motion Agreed - Senate (47 - 50)
April 22, 2026 National H Res 1182 Expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, major suppliers of United States energy resources, critical providers of food production and manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability, and recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of those vital communities Bill Passed - House (220 - 196)
March 26, 2026 National H Res 1128 Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
March 5, 2026 National H Con Res 38 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran Bill Failed - House (212 - 219)
March 4, 2026 National S J Res 104 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 4, 2026 National H Res 1100 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records of the Committee's review of violations or alleged violations of clause 9 (as it pertains to acts of sexual harassment) and clause 18 of rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives Motion Agreed - House (357 - 65)
Feb. 10, 2026 AL HB 220 Authorizes the Governor and Legislature Leaders to Replace Appointed State Board Members Bill Passed - House (82 - 3)
Jan. 26, 2026 SD SJR 501 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Term Limits for Members of the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Jan. 12, 2026 NJ A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Jan. 8, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
Jan. 7, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
Dec. 11, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
Dec. 5, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Dec. 3, 2025 National S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
Nov. 21, 2025 National H Con Res 58 Denouncing the horrors of socialism Joint Resolution Passed - House (285 - 98)
Nov. 20, 2025 National H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 National S J Res 89 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
Nov. 19, 2025 National S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
Nov. 19, 2025 National H Res 893 Censuring Representative Cory Mills of Florida and removing him from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs Motion Agreed - House (310 - 103)
Nov. 19, 2025 National HR 6019 To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2025 National H Res 888 Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. Resolution Failed - House (209 - 214)
Nov. 18, 2025 National H Res 878 Disapproving the behavior of Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García of Illinois Bill Passed - House (236 - 183)
Nov. 18, 2025 National H Res 888 Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. Resolution Not Sent To Committee - House (213 - 214)
Nov. 18, 2025 National H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - House (214 - 212)
Nov. 17, 2025 NV SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Legislative Security Bill Passed - House (39 - 0)
Nov. 17, 2025 National H Res 878 Disapproving the behavior of Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García of Illinois Bill Not Tabled - House (206 - 211)
Nov. 13, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Nov. 13, 2025 NV SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Legislative Security Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Oct. 30, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - House (99 - 4)
Oct. 22, 2025 NC SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - House (104 - 7)
Oct. 22, 2025 NC SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
Oct. 21, 2025 NC SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Oct. 21, 2025 NC SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Sept. 19, 2025 National H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 713 Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget. Resolution Tabled - House (214 - 213)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/05 S J Res 187 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
7/22 HR 7008 Stop Insider Trading Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 198)
7/03 HB 4062 Prohibits Former Members of the Legislature from Engaging in Lobbying for Two Years After Leaving Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 18)
7/03 HB 4062 Prohibits Former Members of the Legislature from Engaging in Lobbying for Two Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/30 H Res 1399 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment Resolution Passed - House (420 - 0)
5/08 HB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for Congressional Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/08 SB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for State Senate Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - House (75 - 29)
5/07 HB 7003 Amends the Congressional Districts Established Following the 2020 Census Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
5/07 HB 7003 Amends the Congressional Districts Established Following the 2020 Census Bill Passed - House (64 - 25)
5/06 SB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for State Senate Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/06 HB 1 Authorizes a Special Primary Election for Congressional Districts Affected by a Federal Court Ruling Bill Passed - House (75 - 29)
4/29 S J Res 139 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
4/29 S J Res 99 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents" Motion Agreed - Senate (47 - 50)
4/22 H Res 1182 Expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, major suppliers of United States energy resources, critical providers of food production and manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability, and recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of those vital communities Bill Passed - House (220 - 196)
3/26 H Res 1128 Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
3/05 H Con Res 38 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran Bill Failed - House (212 - 219)
3/04 S J Res 104 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/04 H Res 1100 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records of the Committee's review of violations or alleged violations of clause 9 (as it pertains to acts of sexual harassment) and clause 18 of rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives Motion Agreed - House (357 - 65)
2/10 HB 220 Authorizes the Governor and Legislature Leaders to Replace Appointed State Board Members Bill Passed - House (82 - 3)
1/26 SJR 501 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Term Limits for Members of the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
1/12 A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
1/08 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
1/07 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
12/11 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
12/05 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
12/03 S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
11/21 H Con Res 58 Denouncing the horrors of socialism Joint Resolution Passed - House (285 - 98)
11/20 H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 43)
11/19 S J Res 89 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
11/19 S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
11/19 H Res 893 Censuring Representative Cory Mills of Florida and removing him from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs Motion Agreed - House (310 - 103)
11/19 HR 6019 To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
11/18 H Res 888 Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. Resolution Failed - House (209 - 214)
11/18 H Res 878 Disapproving the behavior of Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García of Illinois Bill Passed - House (236 - 183)
11/18 H Res 888 Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. Resolution Not Sent To Committee - House (213 - 214)
11/18 H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - House (214 - 212)
11/17 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Legislative Security Bill Passed - House (39 - 0)
11/17 H Res 878 Disapproving the behavior of Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García of Illinois Bill Not Tabled - House (206 - 211)
11/13 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
11/13 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Legislative Security Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
10/30 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - House (99 - 4)
10/22 SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - House (104 - 7)
10/22 SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
10/21 SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
10/21 SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
10/21 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
9/19 H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
9/17 H Res 713 Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget. Resolution Tabled - House (214 - 213)
9/17 H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)

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