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
Jan. 18, 2024 IN HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
Jan. 18, 2024 WI AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
Jan. 16, 2024 UT HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
Jan. 9, 2024 DE SB 187 Requires that Education Professionals Receive Credit for Post-Secondary Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 9, 2024 DE SB 188 Authorizes Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (188 - 15)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (175 - 28)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
Dec. 13, 2023 National HR 1147 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (330 - 99)
Dec. 11, 2023 NJ S 3044 Appropriates $15 Million to the DEP for Implementation of Electric School Bus Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Dec. 7, 2023 National H J Res 88 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 189)
Dec. 6, 2023 National HR 5933 DETERRENT Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 170)
Nov. 15, 2023 National S J Res 43 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program". Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
Nov. 15, 2023 OH HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Nov. 15, 2023 OH HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI SB 477 Repeals Pregnant and Parenting Student Service Office Prohibitions for Abortion Referrals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI HB 4954 Amends the State School Aid Act of 1979 to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 554 Amends Several of Wisconsin's Higher Education Requirements and Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 370 Requires Guaranteed Admission for Applicants Ranked in the Top 5% of Their High School Class Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 2, 2023 National H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 477 Repeals Pregnant and Parenting Student Service Office Prohibitions for Abortion Referrals Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4954 Amends the State School Aid Act of 1979 to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Oct. 24, 2023 PA SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Oct. 24, 2023 PA SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 WI AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Oct. 12, 2023 MI HB 5021 Amends Retirement Plans for New Hires in the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 390 Reduces the Minimum Age for Assistant Child Care Teachers or Group Leaders to 16 Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 392 Authorizes Child Care Providers with County Certification to Care for up to 6 Children Regardless of Family Relation Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 391 Increases the Children to Child Care Workers Ratio Allowed in Group Child Care Centers Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 389 Establishes a New Category of "Large Family Child Care Centers" that Can Serve Between 4-12 Children Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 388 Appropriates $15 Million for a Loan Program for Child Care Centers to Pay for Renovation Costs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 387 Authorizes Parents to Contribute up to $10,000 Per Year to a Child Care Reimbursement Account Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 659 Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 13)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 659 Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 24, 2023 TN HB 7061 Requires the Department of Education to Notify Each Local Education Agency Of All Grant Programs Related to Mental Health Services Bill Failed - House (22 - 62)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 219 Appropriates Resources for Charter Schools Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 219 Appropriates Resources for Charter Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 1898 Requires that Teacher who help Prevent Dangerous Behavior are Protected under collective bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
July 19, 2023 National HR 3941 Schools Not Shelters Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 399 Requires Vaccination Information Communicated by Schools to Include Exemption Information Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 28)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 399 Requires Vaccination Information Communicated by Schools to Include Exemption Information Veto Override Passed - House (70 - 27)
July 7, 2023 PA HB 1422 Requires Public Schools Report Spending for Paid Media Advertisements Bill Passed - House (122 - 82)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3044 Appropriates $15 Million to the DEP for Implementation of Electric School Bus Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
June 30, 2023 DE HB 3 Extends Allowed Student Absences to Mental Health Issues Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 29, 2023 NC SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
June 29, 2023 PA HB 479 Establishes Taxpayer-Funded Private School Tuition Vouchers for Children in Low-Performing School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 29, 2023 PA HB 1032 Appropriates Funding for School Solar Power Bill Passed - House (134 - 69)
June 28, 2023 NC SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
June 28, 2023 WI AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 28, 2023 PA SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/18 HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
1/18 AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/18 HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
1/16 HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
1/09 SB 187 Requires that Education Professionals Receive Credit for Post-Secondary Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/09 SB 188 Authorizes Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
12/13 SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (188 - 15)
12/13 HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
12/13 HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (175 - 28)
12/13 SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
12/13 H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
12/13 HR 1147 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (330 - 99)
12/11 S 3044 Appropriates $15 Million to the DEP for Implementation of Electric School Bus Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
12/07 H J Res 88 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 189)
12/06 HR 5933 DETERRENT Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 170)
11/15 S J Res 43 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program". Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
11/15 HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
11/15 HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
11/09 SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
11/07 SB 477 Repeals Pregnant and Parenting Student Service Office Prohibitions for Abortion Referrals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 HB 4954 Amends the State School Aid Act of 1979 to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 AB 554 Amends Several of Wisconsin's Higher Education Requirements and Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
11/07 AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/07 AB 370 Requires Guaranteed Admission for Applicants Ranked in the Top 5% of Their High School Class Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
11/02 H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
11/01 SB 477 Repeals Pregnant and Parenting Student Service Office Prohibitions for Abortion Referrals Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4954 Amends the State School Aid Act of 1979 to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
10/24 SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
10/24 SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
10/12 SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
10/12 AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
10/12 HB 5021 Amends Retirement Plans for New Hires in the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
9/14 AB 390 Reduces the Minimum Age for Assistant Child Care Teachers or Group Leaders to 16 Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
9/14 AB 392 Authorizes Child Care Providers with County Certification to Care for up to 6 Children Regardless of Family Relation Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
9/14 AB 391 Increases the Children to Child Care Workers Ratio Allowed in Group Child Care Centers Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
9/14 AB 389 Establishes a New Category of "Large Family Child Care Centers" that Can Serve Between 4-12 Children Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
9/14 AB 388 Appropriates $15 Million for a Loan Program for Child Care Centers to Pay for Renovation Costs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
9/14 AB 387 Authorizes Parents to Contribute up to $10,000 Per Year to a Child Care Reimbursement Account Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
9/13 SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/13 AB 659 Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 13)
9/13 SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/12 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/12 AB 659 Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
9/11 SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
9/11 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/24 HB 7061 Requires the Department of Education to Notify Each Local Education Agency Of All Grant Programs Related to Mental Health Services Bill Failed - House (22 - 62)
8/16 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
8/16 HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
8/16 HB 219 Appropriates Resources for Charter Schools Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
8/16 HB 219 Appropriates Resources for Charter Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
8/16 HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
7/25 LD 1898 Requires that Teacher who help Prevent Dangerous Behavior are Protected under collective bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
7/19 HR 3941 Schools Not Shelters Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
7/18 HB 399 Requires Vaccination Information Communicated by Schools to Include Exemption Information Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
7/18 HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 28)
7/18 HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
7/18 HB 399 Requires Vaccination Information Communicated by Schools to Include Exemption Information Veto Override Passed - House (70 - 27)
7/07 HB 1422 Requires Public Schools Report Spending for Paid Media Advertisements Bill Passed - House (122 - 82)
6/30 S 3044 Appropriates $15 Million to the DEP for Implementation of Electric School Bus Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
6/30 HB 3 Extends Allowed Student Absences to Mental Health Issues Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/29 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
6/29 HB 479 Establishes Taxpayer-Funded Private School Tuition Vouchers for Children in Low-Performing School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/29 HB 1032 Appropriates Funding for School Solar Power Bill Passed - House (134 - 69)
6/28 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
6/28 AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/28 SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)

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