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. 14, 2025 VA HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2025 National HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)
Feb. 13, 2025 AL SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT HB 342 Prohibits Juries from Calculating Malpractice Damages Based on Anything Other than the Standard of Care Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 12, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - House (49 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2025 SD SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Feb. 12, 2025 GA SB 47 Establishes Annual 11-day Sales Tax Holiday for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2025 VA HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 11, 2025 WY HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - House (59 - 2)
Feb. 11, 2025 IN SB 326 Prohibits Local Governments From Hosting or Funding "Obscene" Performances Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 11, 2025 AZ SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2025 CO SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 10, 2025 WY HB 234 Increases Sportsmen's Credit Card Purchase Privacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 3)
Feb. 10, 2025 AR HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2025 AR HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2025 ID H 83 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Regulate Undocumented Immigrants if They are Involved in Crimes Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
Feb. 7, 2025 CO HB 25-1138 Prohibits Courtroom Discussion of a Sexual Assault Victim's Previous Sexual Activity Bill Passed - House (60 - 2)
Feb. 7, 2025 CO HB 25-1138 Prohibits Courtroom Discussion of a Sexual Assault Victim's Previous Sexual Activity Bill Passed - House (60 - 2)
Feb. 6, 2025 WY HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 6, 2025 National HR 27 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Bill Passed - House (312 - 108)
Feb. 6, 2025 ID H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2025 ID H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2025 MS HB 1077 Limits Kratom Purchases to Individuals 21 and Older and Prohibits Synthetic Kratom Products Bill Passed - House (116 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2025 CO SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
Feb. 4, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2025 MT SB 164 Establishes a Felony Charge for a Parent to Seek Care or for Their Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 4, 2025 IN HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 1)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 1)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
Feb. 4, 2025 IN HB 1095 Expands the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force to include Lake County Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 3, 2025 SD SB 2 Increases Civil Penalties for Commercial Driver Violations Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 3, 2025 VA SB 1098 Prohibits Healthcare Professionals from Out of State Extradition for Providing Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 3, 2025 ND HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - House (93 - 0)
Feb. 3, 2025 IN SB 430 Appropriates Grants to Law Enforcement Agencies that Seek Training with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 30, 2025 SD SB 5 Authorizes Sheriffs to Charge a Fee for Service of Process Whether Service is Completed or Not Bill Passed - House (58 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 SD SB 5 Authorizes Sheriffs to Charge a Fee for Service of Process Whether Service is Completed or Not Bill Passed - House (58 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 TN SB 6002 Establishes Class E Felony Criminal Penalties for Officials Who Adopt Sanctuary City Policies Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Jan. 30, 2025 NH SB 15 Authorizes a Sentence of Hard Labor for Individuals Convicted of Capital Murder or Serious Sexual Assaults on Children "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Jan. 30, 2025 NH SB 14 Establishes Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted on Fentanyl Charges "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 NH SB 62 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officials to Enter into Agreements with ICE "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 NH SB 14 Establishes Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted on Fentanyl Charges "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 DE HB 33 Establishes Jurisdiction over Adult Cannabis Offenses Committed in Newark to the Alderman's Court Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 SD SB 64 Amends Rules about Setting Parole Dates Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Jan. 30, 2025 ID S 1019 Prohibits Making False Emergency Reports (Swatting) Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Jan. 29, 2025 ND SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
Jan. 29, 2025 TN SB 6002 Establishes Class E Felony Criminal Penalties for Officials Who Adopt Sanctuary City Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2025 NY A 434 Requires Car Makers and Dealers Allow Domestic Violence Victims to Block Third-Party Access to Their Vehicle's Tracking or Control System Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2025 MT HB 195 Increases the Non-Economic Damages Cap to $500,000 by 2029 Bill Passed - House (95 - 4)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 DE HB 6 Authorizes and Grants Subpoena Power to the State Auditor Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2025 MS HB 816 Requires Mandatory Harvest Reporting of Deer Bill Passed - House (79 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/14 HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/13 HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)
2/13 SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/13 HB 342 Prohibits Juries from Calculating Malpractice Damages Based on Anything Other than the Standard of Care Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/12 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/12 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/12 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
2/12 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/12 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/12 SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - House (49 - 47)
2/12 SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/12 SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/12 SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/12 SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/12 SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/12 SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/12 SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
2/12 SB 47 Establishes Annual 11-day Sales Tax Holiday for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
2/12 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/11 HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/11 HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - House (59 - 2)
2/11 SB 326 Prohibits Local Governments From Hosting or Funding "Obscene" Performances Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/11 SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
2/11 SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/10 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
2/10 HB 234 Increases Sportsmen's Credit Card Purchase Privacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 3)
2/10 HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
2/10 HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
2/10 H 83 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Regulate Undocumented Immigrants if They are Involved in Crimes Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
2/07 HB 25-1138 Prohibits Courtroom Discussion of a Sexual Assault Victim's Previous Sexual Activity Bill Passed - House (60 - 2)
2/07 HB 25-1138 Prohibits Courtroom Discussion of a Sexual Assault Victim's Previous Sexual Activity Bill Passed - House (60 - 2)
2/06 HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/06 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/06 HR 27 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Bill Passed - House (312 - 108)
2/06 H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
2/06 H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
2/06 HB 1077 Limits Kratom Purchases to Individuals 21 and Older and Prohibits Synthetic Kratom Products Bill Passed - House (116 - 0)
2/05 SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/05 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
2/04 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
2/04 SB 164 Establishes a Felony Charge for a Parent to Seek Care or for Their Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/04 HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
2/04 HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 1)
2/04 HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 1)
2/04 HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/04 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/04 HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/04 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/04 HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/04 HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
2/04 HB 1095 Expands the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force to include Lake County Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
2/04 HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/03 SB 2 Increases Civil Penalties for Commercial Driver Violations Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/03 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
2/03 SB 1098 Prohibits Healthcare Professionals from Out of State Extradition for Providing Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/03 HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - House (93 - 0)
2/03 SB 430 Appropriates Grants to Law Enforcement Agencies that Seek Training with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/31 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/30 SB 5 Authorizes Sheriffs to Charge a Fee for Service of Process Whether Service is Completed or Not Bill Passed - House (58 - 8)
1/30 SB 5 Authorizes Sheriffs to Charge a Fee for Service of Process Whether Service is Completed or Not Bill Passed - House (58 - 8)
1/30 SB 6002 Establishes Class E Felony Criminal Penalties for Officials Who Adopt Sanctuary City Policies Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
1/30 SB 15 Authorizes a Sentence of Hard Labor for Individuals Convicted of Capital Murder or Serious Sexual Assaults on Children "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
1/30 SB 14 Establishes Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted on Fentanyl Charges "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
1/30 SB 62 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officials to Enter into Agreements with ICE "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
1/30 SB 14 Establishes Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted on Fentanyl Charges "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
1/30 HB 33 Establishes Jurisdiction over Adult Cannabis Offenses Committed in Newark to the Alderman's Court Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
1/30 SB 64 Amends Rules about Setting Parole Dates Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
1/30 S 1019 Prohibits Making False Emergency Reports (Swatting) Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
1/29 SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
1/29 SB 6002 Establishes Class E Felony Criminal Penalties for Officials Who Adopt Sanctuary City Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/28 A 434 Requires Car Makers and Dealers Allow Domestic Violence Victims to Block Third-Party Access to Their Vehicle's Tracking or Control System Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
1/28 HB 195 Increases the Non-Economic Damages Cap to $500,000 by 2029 Bill Passed - House (95 - 4)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 HB 6 Authorizes and Grants Subpoena Power to the State Auditor Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
1/28 HB 816 Requires Mandatory Harvest Reporting of Deer Bill Passed - House (79 - 29)

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