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. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 NM SB 175 Expands the State Free Childcare Program to All Families Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 ID S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2025 National PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 25, 2025 ND HB 1540 Appropriates Funding from the State's General Budget for Education Savings Account Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
Feb. 25, 2025 RI H 5162 Requires Feedback from SurveyWorks be Incorporated into State Assessments of Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
Feb. 25, 2025 RI H 5162 Requires Feedback from SurveyWorks be Incorporated into State Assessments of Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
Feb. 25, 2025 NJ S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 24, 2025 ID S 1044 Requires Students to be Proficient at Both Reading and Writing in Cursive by the End of the 5th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2025 ID S 1044 Requires Students to be Proficient at Both Reading and Writing in Cursive by the End of the 5th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2025 AZ HB 2164 Prohibits Certain Ultra-Processed Foods and Dyes from Public School Meals Bill Passed - House (59 - 0)
Feb. 24, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2025 NM HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
Feb. 22, 2025 MT HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2025 NM HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
Feb. 22, 2025 MT HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2025 ID H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 21, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2025 MT HB 400 Prohibits Discipline Against Students who Refuse to Use Peers' Preferred Names or Pronouns Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
Feb. 21, 2025 ND SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
Feb. 21, 2025 ND SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
Feb. 21, 2025 WV SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2025 MD HB 380 Authorizes the Sale of Contraceptives and Condoms in School Vending Machines Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA SB 905 Establishes the Internet Safety Advisory Council Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA SB 908 Increases Protections and Support Against Cyberbullying Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2025 AZ SB 1002 Requires School Workers Refer to Individuals Based on Their Gender at Birth Unless Parental Consent is Given Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2025 ND SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2025 CO SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2033 Establishes Additional Programs and Services for Approved At-Risk Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (89 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2033 Establishes Additional Programs and Services for Approved At-Risk Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (89 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2025 SD HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 19, 2025 ID H 93 Establishes a Tax Credit for Individuals with Children in Homeschooling or Private Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 2 Requires School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Ban Policies Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2025 MT SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2025 KS SB 87 Expands the Low-Income Education Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 AR HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 AR HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - House (64 - 5)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2025 AL HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 IA SF 175 Requires Incorporating Provisions Related to Pregnancy and Fetal Development into the Human Growth and Development and Health Curricula Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 17, 2025 AR SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2025 AR SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
Feb. 13, 2025 ND HB 1590 Establishes a Pilot Program for Education Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (47 - 40)
Feb. 13, 2025 ND HB 1607 Authorizes Educational Spending Debit Cards to Parents of Public, Private and Homeschooled Students Bill Failed - House (16 - 71)
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 MS HB 1432 Authorizes Charter Schools in Mississippi to be Located Within C-Rated School Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
Feb. 12, 2025 MS HB 1432 Authorizes Charter Schools in Mississippi to be Located Within C-Rated School Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
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 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 11, 2025 MT HB 121 Requires Individuals to Use Facilities that Correspond with Their Biological Sex at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2025 AR HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - House (70 - 16)
Feb. 11, 2025 AR HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - House (70 - 16)
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. 10, 2025 SD SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Failed - House (31 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2025 SD HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2025 ID H 93 Establishes a Tax Credit for Individuals with Children in Homeschooling or Private Education Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
Feb. 6, 2025 MT HB 300 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2025 MS HB 1431 Establishes a Charter School Task Force to Study Efficiency and Feasibility Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/26 SB 175 Expands the State Free Childcare Program to All Families Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/26 S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/25 PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
2/25 HB 1540 Appropriates Funding from the State's General Budget for Education Savings Account Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
2/25 H 5162 Requires Feedback from SurveyWorks be Incorporated into State Assessments of Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
2/25 H 5162 Requires Feedback from SurveyWorks be Incorporated into State Assessments of Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
2/25 S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/24 S 1044 Requires Students to be Proficient at Both Reading and Writing in Cursive by the End of the 5th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/24 S 1044 Requires Students to be Proficient at Both Reading and Writing in Cursive by the End of the 5th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/24 HB 2164 Prohibits Certain Ultra-Processed Foods and Dyes from Public School Meals Bill Passed - House (59 - 0)
2/24 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
2/22 HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
2/22 HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
2/22 HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
2/22 HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
2/21 H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/21 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/21 HB 400 Prohibits Discipline Against Students who Refuse to Use Peers' Preferred Names or Pronouns Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
2/21 SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
2/21 SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
2/21 SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/21 HB 380 Authorizes the Sale of Contraceptives and Condoms in School Vending Machines Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
2/20 SB 905 Establishes the Internet Safety Advisory Council Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/20 SB 908 Increases Protections and Support Against Cyberbullying Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
2/20 SB 1002 Requires School Workers Refer to Individuals Based on Their Gender at Birth Unless Parental Consent is Given Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/20 SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/20 SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/20 HB 2033 Establishes Additional Programs and Services for Approved At-Risk Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (89 - 32)
2/20 HB 2033 Establishes Additional Programs and Services for Approved At-Risk Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (89 - 32)
2/20 HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/19 H 93 Establishes a Tax Credit for Individuals with Children in Homeschooling or Private Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/19 AB 2 Requires School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Ban Policies Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
2/19 AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/19 AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/19 AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/19 AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/19 AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/19 AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/19 HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
2/19 AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/19 SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/19 SB 87 Expands the Low-Income Education Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/19 HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/18 SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
2/18 HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - House (64 - 5)
2/18 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/18 HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
2/18 HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
2/18 SF 175 Requires Incorporating Provisions Related to Pregnancy and Fetal Development into the Human Growth and Development and Health Curricula Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
2/18 HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
2/18 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/17 SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/17 SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/14 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
2/13 HB 1590 Establishes a Pilot Program for Education Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (47 - 40)
2/13 HB 1607 Authorizes Educational Spending Debit Cards to Parents of Public, Private and Homeschooled Students Bill Failed - House (16 - 71)
2/12 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
2/12 HB 1432 Authorizes Charter Schools in Mississippi to be Located Within C-Rated School Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
2/12 HB 1432 Authorizes Charter Schools in Mississippi to be Located Within C-Rated School Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
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 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/11 HB 121 Requires Individuals to Use Facilities that Correspond with Their Biological Sex at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/11 HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - House (70 - 16)
2/11 HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - House (70 - 16)
2/11 SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
2/10 SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Failed - House (31 - 37)
2/10 HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
2/07 H 93 Establishes a Tax Credit for Individuals with Children in Homeschooling or Private Education Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
2/06 HB 300 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 1431 Establishes a Charter School Task Force to Study Efficiency and Feasibility Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)

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