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. 22, 2026 AL SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Jan. 15, 2026 MS HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
Jan. 15, 2026 MS HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
Jan. 7, 2026 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
Jan. 7, 2026 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2003 Amends Regulations Regarding Retired Teachers' Benefits and Return-to-Work Authorizations Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 2)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2001 Increases Teacher Salaries by $2,000 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
Dec. 17, 2025 PA HB 1663 Establishes the Pennsylvania Children's Literacy Program Bill Passed - House (116 - 87)
Dec. 16, 2025 MI HB 4576 Appropriates $634 Million of Supplemental Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Dec. 9, 2025 National S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
Dec. 9, 2025 National S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
Dec. 4, 2025 National HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
Dec. 4, 2025 National HR 1049 Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 166)
Dec. 3, 2025 National HR 1005 Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 176)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 129 Establishes Emergency Substitutes and Levies in the Calculation of a Public School District's Millage Floor Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 8)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 5)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 129 Establishes Emergency Substitutes and Levies in the Calculation of a Public School District's Millage Floor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 602 Requires the Governor to Opt-In to the Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
Nov. 18, 2025 NV AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2025 NV AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 498 Expands State Requirements Relating to Freedom of Speech at University of Wisconsin System Institutions and Establishes Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/22 SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
1/15 HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
1/15 HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
1/07 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
1/07 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
1/07 SB 2003 Amends Regulations Regarding Retired Teachers' Benefits and Return-to-Work Authorizations Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 2)
1/07 SB 2001 Increases Teacher Salaries by $2,000 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
1/07 SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
1/07 SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
12/17 HB 1663 Establishes the Pennsylvania Children's Literacy Program Bill Passed - House (116 - 87)
12/16 HB 4576 Appropriates $634 Million of Supplemental Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
12/09 S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
12/09 S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
12/04 HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
12/04 HR 1049 Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 166)
12/03 HR 1005 Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 176)
11/19 HB 129 Establishes Emergency Substitutes and Levies in the Calculation of a Public School District's Millage Floor Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 8)
11/19 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 0)
11/19 HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
11/19 HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 5)
11/19 HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
11/19 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
11/19 HB 129 Establishes Emergency Substitutes and Levies in the Calculation of a Public School District's Millage Floor Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
11/19 AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
11/19 AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 602 Requires the Governor to Opt-In to the Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
11/19 AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
11/19 HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
11/19 HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
11/19 HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
11/18 AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
11/18 AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
11/18 SB 498 Expands State Requirements Relating to Freedom of Speech at University of Wisconsin System Institutions and Establishes Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
11/18 SB 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
11/18 SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)

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