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
March 27, 2020 AR SB 2 Establishes a COVID-19 Emergency Fund Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 26, 2020 KY SB 150 Establishes Emergency Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 0)
March 25, 2020 National HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA HB 1232 Authorizes Emergency Finances and Tax Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 NE LB 1198 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 23, 2020 National HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 46)
March 22, 2020 National HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 47)
March 22, 2020 AK HB 308 Establishes Relief for Employees Affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
March 19, 2020 FL H 5001 Appropriates Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and Related COVID-19 Containment Efforts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 0)
March 19, 2020 TN HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 19, 2020 AZ SB 1694 Amends State Unemployment Laws Due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 19, 2020 AZ SB 1690 Establishes the Emergency Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 18, 2020 ID H 516 Amends Constitutional Carry Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
March 18, 2020 MS HB 1647 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Grant Administrative Leave with Pay In Case of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
March 18, 2020 National HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
March 18, 2020 NY S 8091 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Employees Affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 6)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 17, 2020 SC H 4014 Appropriates Funds for the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 17, 2020 ID S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 89 Amends 2019-2020 State Budget to Appropriate Funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 IA SF 2408 Appropriates Funds, Expands Power of Governor, and Waives School Time Requirements in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 0)
March 15, 2020 MD SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 13, 2020 FL HB 1259 Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 12, 2020 GA HB 792 Amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Appropriate Funds to Combat COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 1)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
March 12, 2020 AL HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 12, 2020 WA HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 12, 2020 AL SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 12, 2020 OK SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 11, 2020 WY HB 118 Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 11, 2020 OK SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 11, 2020 OK SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 11, 2020 MS SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 11, 2020 MS SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 10, 2020 SD SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 10, 2020 MD SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
March 9, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 9, 2020 MS SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
March 9, 2020 MN SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
March 8, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
March 8, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 1783 Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2467 Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 5, 2020 SD HB 1117 Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 4, 2020 SC H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 4, 2020 WA HB 2602 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 3, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
March 3, 2020 UT HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
March 2, 2020 NY S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
March 2, 2020 IA SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
March 2, 2020 MO SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO HB 20-1048 Establishes the CROWN Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2020 KY SB 62 Authorizes the Restoration of Voting Rights 5 Years After Completion of Sentence for Certain Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 SB 2 Establishes a COVID-19 Emergency Fund Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/26 SB 150 Establishes Emergency Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 0)
3/25 HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 1232 Authorizes Emergency Finances and Tax Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 LB 1198 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/23 HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 46)
3/22 HR 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 47)
3/22 HB 308 Establishes Relief for Employees Affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
3/19 H 5001 Appropriates Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and Related COVID-19 Containment Efforts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 0)
3/19 HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/19 SB 1694 Amends State Unemployment Laws Due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/19 SB 1690 Establishes the Emergency Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/18 H 516 Amends Constitutional Carry Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
3/18 HB 1647 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Grant Administrative Leave with Pay In Case of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
3/18 HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
3/18 S 8091 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Employees Affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 6)
3/17 SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/17 SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/17 H 4014 Appropriates Funds for the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/17 S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/16 SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 SB 89 Amends 2019-2020 State Budget to Appropriate Funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 SF 2408 Appropriates Funds, Expands Power of Governor, and Waives School Time Requirements in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 0)
3/15 SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/13 HB 1259 Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/12 HB 792 Amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Appropriate Funds to Combat COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 1)
3/12 HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/12 HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/12 HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
3/12 HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/12 HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/12 SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/12 SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
3/11 HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/11 HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/11 HB 118 Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/11 SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/11 SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/11 SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/11 SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/10 SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/10 SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/10 SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
3/09 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/09 SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
3/09 SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/05 HB 1783 Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/05 HB 2467 Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/05 HB 1117 Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/04 H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/04 HB 2602 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/03 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/03 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
3/03 HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
3/03 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/03 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/03 SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
3/03 SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
3/02 S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
3/02 SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
3/02 SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 HB 20-1048 Establishes the CROWN Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/27 SB 62 Authorizes the Restoration of Voting Rights 5 Years After Completion of Sentence for Certain Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)

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