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
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
Sept. 4, 2025 TX HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
Sept. 2, 2025 TX HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
June 25, 2025 MI SB 225 Prohibits the Carry of a Concealed Pistol on the Premises of the State Capitol and Legislative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 11, 2025 LA SB 8 Authorizes the Legislature to Alter the Classified and Unclassified Status of Civil Officers and Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 9, 2025 LA SB 8 Authorizes the Legislature to Alter the Classified and Unclassified Status of Civil Officers and Employees Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
June 9, 2025 National H Res 488 Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado Resolution Passed - House (280 - 113)
June 9, 2025 National H Res 481 Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combatting antisemitism and politically motivated violence Resolution Passed - House (400 - 0)
June 3, 2025 LA SB 59 Increases Economic Oversight of Legislative Actions in Louisiana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 3, 2025 OR SB 952 Requires the Governor to Appoint a United States Senator When a Vacancy in the Office Occurs Bill Passed - House (31 - 24)
May 30, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
May 22, 2025 NC SB 257 Appropriates $65 Billion in Funding for the 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - House (86 - 20)
May 22, 2025 OK HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
May 21, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
May 20, 2025 OK HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 1, 2025 AZ HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
April 28, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Conference Report Rejected - House (28 - 61)
April 28, 2025 OR SB 952 Requires the Governor to Appoint a United States Senator When a Vacancy in the Office Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 21, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (43 - 21)
April 21, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
April 17, 2025 NC SB 257 Appropriates $65 Billion in Funding for the 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
April 16, 2025 AZ HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 16, 2025 AZ SB 1464 Requires the Arizona Department of Revenue to Notify the State Legislature of Tax Laws that Adversely Impact Residents Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
April 14, 2025 ND HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 30)
April 12, 2025 WV HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 11, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 10, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 2, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 26, 2025 WV SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 25, 2025 KS HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
March 25, 2025 OR SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 24, 2025 WV SB 579 Prohibits Municipalities Participating in the Home Rule Program from Establishing Nondiscrimination Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 20, 2025 KS HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
March 17, 2025 KS SB 105 Establishes Requirements for Filling Vacant Senate Seats Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 36)
March 17, 2025 KS SB 105 Establishes Requirements for Filling Vacant Senate Seats Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
March 17, 2025 IN SJR 21 Specifies Term Limits for Members of Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 30)
March 13, 2025 NM HJR 2 Repeals the Governor's Ability to Pocket Veto Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
March 13, 2025 ID H 378 Requires All Idaho Legislative Officials to Report Out-of-State Travel Costs Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
March 11, 2025 ID H 362 Prohibits Elected State and Federal Officials from Simultaneously Serving in Elected City, School or Highway District Positions Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 6, 2025 National H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Passed - House (224 - 198)
March 5, 2025 National H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Not Tabled - House (209 - 211)
Feb. 28, 2025 AK SB 87 Prohibits a Lawmaker's Salaries from Automatic Inflation Adjustment Bill Passed - House (36 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
9/04 HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
9/02 HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
6/25 SB 225 Prohibits the Carry of a Concealed Pistol on the Premises of the State Capitol and Legislative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/11 SB 8 Authorizes the Legislature to Alter the Classified and Unclassified Status of Civil Officers and Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/09 SB 8 Authorizes the Legislature to Alter the Classified and Unclassified Status of Civil Officers and Employees Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
6/09 H Res 488 Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado Resolution Passed - House (280 - 113)
6/09 H Res 481 Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combatting antisemitism and politically motivated violence Resolution Passed - House (400 - 0)
6/03 SB 59 Increases Economic Oversight of Legislative Actions in Louisiana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/03 SB 952 Requires the Governor to Appoint a United States Senator When a Vacancy in the Office Occurs Bill Passed - House (31 - 24)
5/30 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
5/22 SB 257 Appropriates $65 Billion in Funding for the 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - House (86 - 20)
5/22 HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
5/21 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
5/20 HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/01 HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
4/28 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Conference Report Rejected - House (28 - 61)
4/28 SB 952 Requires the Governor to Appoint a United States Senator When a Vacancy in the Office Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/21 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (43 - 21)
4/21 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
4/17 SB 257 Appropriates $65 Billion in Funding for the 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
4/16 HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/16 SB 1464 Requires the Arizona Department of Revenue to Notify the State Legislature of Tax Laws that Adversely Impact Residents Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
4/14 HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 30)
4/12 HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/11 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/10 HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/10 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/02 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
3/28 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/26 SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/25 HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
3/25 SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/24 SB 579 Prohibits Municipalities Participating in the Home Rule Program from Establishing Nondiscrimination Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/20 HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
3/17 SB 105 Establishes Requirements for Filling Vacant Senate Seats Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 36)
3/17 SB 105 Establishes Requirements for Filling Vacant Senate Seats Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
3/17 SJR 21 Specifies Term Limits for Members of Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 30)
3/13 HJR 2 Repeals the Governor's Ability to Pocket Veto Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
3/13 H 378 Requires All Idaho Legislative Officials to Report Out-of-State Travel Costs Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
3/11 H 362 Prohibits Elected State and Federal Officials from Simultaneously Serving in Elected City, School or Highway District Positions Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/06 H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Passed - House (224 - 198)
3/05 H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Not Tabled - House (209 - 211)
2/28 SB 87 Prohibits a Lawmaker's Salaries from Automatic Inflation Adjustment Bill Passed - House (36 - 0)

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