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, 2025 VA HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
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 ND HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - House (93 - 0)
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 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 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 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 ID S 1019 Prohibits Making False Emergency Reports (Swatting) Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 SD SB 64 Amends Rules about Setting Parole Dates Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
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 MS HB 553 Establishes a State Stamp or Permit to Hunt Wild Turkeys Bill Passed - House (103 - 12)
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)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 ID S 1001 Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Jan. 27, 2025 CO HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 25, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
Jan. 24, 2025 SD SB 41 Specifies the Minimum Age Requirements for a Hunting License Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2025 SD SB 2 Increases Civil Penalties for Commercial Driver Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
Jan. 23, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - House (62 - 29)
Jan. 23, 2025 MS HB 1123 Amends and Establishes New Regulations for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
Jan. 22, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - House (263 - 156)
Jan. 22, 2025 NY S 36 Authorizes Pharmacists to Print the Name of a Healthcare Practice on Prescription Labels for Mifepristone and Misoprostol Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
Jan. 22, 2025 WY SF 53 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Administratively Cancel Trademarks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Jan. 22, 2025 SD HB 1056 Authorizes the Sale and Use of Certain Products that Contain Kratom Drug Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2025 ID H 7 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Fine of $300 for Anyone Convicted of Cannabis Possession Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Jan. 21, 2025 NY S 36 Authorizes Pharmacists to Print the Name of a Healthcare Practice on Prescription Labels for Mifepristone and Misoprostol Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
Jan. 17, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/04 HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/04 HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
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 HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - House (93 - 0)
2/03 SB 1098 Prohibits Healthcare Professionals from Out of State Extradition for Providing Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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 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 HB 33 Establishes Jurisdiction over Adult Cannabis Offenses Committed in Newark to the Alderman's Court Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
1/30 S 1019 Prohibits Making False Emergency Reports (Swatting) Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
1/30 SB 64 Amends Rules about Setting Parole Dates Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
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 HB 553 Establishes a State Stamp or Permit to Hunt Wild Turkeys Bill Passed - House (103 - 12)
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)
1/28 SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 S 1001 Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
1/27 HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
1/27 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/25 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
1/24 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
1/24 SB 41 Specifies the Minimum Age Requirements for a Hunting License Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/23 SB 2 Increases Civil Penalties for Commercial Driver Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
1/23 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - House (62 - 29)
1/23 HB 1123 Amends and Establishes New Regulations for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
1/22 S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - House (263 - 156)
1/22 S 36 Authorizes Pharmacists to Print the Name of a Healthcare Practice on Prescription Labels for Mifepristone and Misoprostol Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
1/22 SF 53 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Administratively Cancel Trademarks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
1/22 HB 1056 Authorizes the Sale and Use of Certain Products that Contain Kratom Drug Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
1/21 H 7 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Fine of $300 for Anyone Convicted of Cannabis Possession Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
1/21 S 36 Authorizes Pharmacists to Print the Name of a Healthcare Practice on Prescription Labels for Mifepristone and Misoprostol Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 20)
1/20 S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
1/17 S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 35)

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