Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 3, 2025 National S 9 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
March 3, 2025 NE LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 3, 2025 GA SB 74 Authorizes Librarians in Public Libraries, K-12 Schools, and Colleges to be Prosecuted if They Provide "Sexually Explicit Materials" to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2025 WY HB 316 Establishes a Committee Dedicated to Recalibrating the Education Resource Block Grant Model Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
Feb. 27, 2025 WY HB 199 Repeals the State School Voucher Program Income Limit and Increases Payments to $7,000 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2025 National PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2025 MO SB 68 Require School Districts to Ban Cellphone Use During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2025 AL SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 27, 2025 ID S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2025 ID S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 ID S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 GA SB 123 Prohibits the Expulsion of Students Due to Chronic Absenteeism Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 NM SB 175 Expands the State Free Childcare Program to All Families Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 National PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
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. 21, 2025 ID H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
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. 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 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 ND SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
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 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. 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 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 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 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 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
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. 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 AZ SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2025 IN SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 6, 2025 MS SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2025 TX SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2025 WA SB 5181 Amends Parental Bill of Rights to be in Alignment with State Law Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Jan. 30, 2025 TN HB 6004 Appropriates Public Funding to Provide Private School Vouchers to Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2025 WY SF 62 Requires Students to Utilize Bathrooms Based on Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Jan. 28, 2025 SD SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Jan. 27, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Jan. 14, 2025 NJ S 3695 Requires Each School District to Adopt Cell Phone and Social Media Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 206 Increases School Suspension to a Year for Students that Make Online Dangerous Threats Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 28, 2024 NJ A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Oct. 28, 2024 NJ A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Oct. 6, 2024 WV SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
Sept. 30, 2024 WV HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
Sept. 30, 2024 NJ A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 S 9 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
3/03 LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/03 SB 74 Authorizes Librarians in Public Libraries, K-12 Schools, and Colleges to be Prosecuted if They Provide "Sexually Explicit Materials" to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
2/28 HB 316 Establishes a Committee Dedicated to Recalibrating the Education Resource Block Grant Model Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
2/27 HB 199 Repeals the State School Voucher Program Income Limit and Increases Payments to $7,000 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/27 PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
2/27 SB 68 Require School Districts to Ban Cellphone Use During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/27 SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/27 S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/27 S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/26 S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/26 SB 123 Prohibits the Expulsion of Students Due to Chronic Absenteeism Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 0)
2/26 SB 175 Expands the State Free Childcare Program to All Families Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/25 PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
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)
2/21 H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
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)
2/20 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 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 SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/19 H 93 Establishes a Tax Credit for Individuals with Children in Homeschooling or Private Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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)
2/18 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 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 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/18 SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
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)
2/12 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 SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
2/06 SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/06 SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/06 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
2/05 SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/05 SB 5181 Amends Parental Bill of Rights to be in Alignment with State Law Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/04 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
2/04 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/04 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
1/30 HB 6004 Appropriates Public Funding to Provide Private School Vouchers to Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/29 SF 62 Requires Students to Utilize Bathrooms Based on Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
1/28 SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
1/27 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
1/14 S 3695 Requires Each School District to Adopt Cell Phone and Social Media Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
12/19 HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/19 HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/18 HB 206 Increases School Suspension to a Year for Students that Make Online Dangerous Threats Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
12/18 HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
10/30 HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/30 HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/28 A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
10/28 A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
10/09 SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/09 SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/08 HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
10/08 HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
10/08 HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
10/06 SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
9/30 HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
9/30 A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)

arrow_upward