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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 29, 2026 NC SB 445 Amends Various Municipal and Residential Development Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
July 12, 2026 PA HB 2017 Expands Regulations on Nuclear Microreactors and Small Modular Reactors Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
June 3, 2026 National S J Res 188 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
May 28, 2026 NY S 8512 A Authorizes the Use of Portable Solar Generation Devices Without Utility Approval or Fees Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
April 16, 2026 National H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 25, 2026 National S J Res 107 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 18, 2026 ME LD 1730 Authorizes the Use of Plug-In Solar Devices Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
March 12, 2026 WA SB 6355 Establishes the Washington Electric Transmission Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 10, 2026 SD SB 135 Requires Data Centers to Pay Their Electric Bills and Regulate Water Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 10, 2026 OK SB 1439 Prohibits Certain Climate-Related Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
March 4, 2026 UT HB 575 Reduces the State Motor Fuel Tax Rate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
Feb. 24, 2026 NJ S 685 Establises a Fleet Conversion Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2026 OK SB 1191 Repeals the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2026 SD SB 135 Requires Data Centers to Pay Their Electric Bills and Regulate Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2026 NY S 8812 Establishes the Effective Date of Provisions Relating to Gas Service to New Customers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 25)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
Jan. 12, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
Dec. 4, 2025 National H J Res 131 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 45)
Dec. 3, 2025 National S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
Nov. 19, 2025 National PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson (66 - 32)
Nov. 19, 2025 National S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 219 Amends Requirements for Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 219 Amends Requirements for Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Nov. 18, 2025 National PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson Cloture Invoked - Senate (65 - 32)
Nov. 18, 2025 PA SB 1058 Amends Alternative Fuel Standards to Align with Federal Standards Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 30, 2025 National S J Res 80 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 29, 2025 National S J Res 80 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision". Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Oct. 22, 2025 PA SB 1068 Repeals Pennsylvania's Participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S J Res 71 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 237 Authorizes Environmental Approvals for up to 2,000 New Wells Annually in Kern County Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 825 Establishes the Independent System Operator as a Regional Organization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 500 Authorizes Utilities to Provide Energy Use Data Via an Approved Alternative System or Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 1167 Requires Utility Regulators to Enforce Monetary Penalties on Investor-Owned Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
July 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
July 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
July 9, 2025 National PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
July 8, 2025 National PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 41)
June 30, 2025 DE SB 159 Authorizes Renewable Energy Substations in Industrial Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 4530 Requires The Board of Public Utilities to Revise Community Solar Program Targets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 5563 Establishes a "Summer Termination Program" for Certain Utility Customers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 5267 Requires the Board of Public Utilities to Establish an Incentive Program for the Development of Transmission-Scale Energy Storage Systems Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 5264 Requires the Establishment of an Automated Platform to Expedite Approval to Build Residential Solar Units Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 24, 2025 OR HB 2066 Authorizes the Use of Microgrids and Requires the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to Establish Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/29 SB 445 Amends Various Municipal and Residential Development Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
7/12 HB 2017 Expands Regulations on Nuclear Microreactors and Small Modular Reactors Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
6/03 S J Res 188 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
5/28 S 8512 A Authorizes the Use of Portable Solar Generation Devices Without Utility Approval or Fees Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
4/16 H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/25 S J Res 107 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/18 LD 1730 Authorizes the Use of Plug-In Solar Devices Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
3/12 SB 6355 Establishes the Washington Electric Transmission Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/10 SB 135 Requires Data Centers to Pay Their Electric Bills and Regulate Water Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/10 SB 1439 Prohibits Certain Climate-Related Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
3/04 HB 575 Reduces the State Motor Fuel Tax Rate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
2/24 S 685 Establises a Fleet Conversion Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
2/23 SB 1191 Repeals the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
2/20 SB 135 Requires Data Centers to Pay Their Electric Bills and Regulate Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/05 S 8812 Establishes the Effective Date of Provisions Relating to Gas Service to New Customers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 25)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
1/12 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
12/04 H J Res 131 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 45)
12/03 S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
11/19 PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson (66 - 32)
11/19 S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
11/19 SB 219 Amends Requirements for Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
11/19 SB 219 Amends Requirements for Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
11/18 PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson Cloture Invoked - Senate (65 - 32)
11/18 SB 1058 Amends Alternative Fuel Standards to Align with Federal Standards Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/30 S J Res 80 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/29 S J Res 80 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision". Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
10/22 SB 1068 Repeals Pennsylvania's Participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
10/08 S J Res 71 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
10/03 HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 HB 4182 Exempts the Storage, Use, or Consumption of Motor Fuel, Alternative Fuel, and Leaded Racing Fuel from Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
9/13 SB 237 Authorizes Environmental Approvals for up to 2,000 New Wells Annually in Kern County Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
9/13 AB 825 Establishes the Independent System Operator as a Regional Organization Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/12 SB 500 Authorizes Utilities to Provide Energy Use Data Via an Approved Alternative System or Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/09 AB 1167 Requires Utility Regulators to Enforce Monetary Penalties on Investor-Owned Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
7/09 PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
7/08 PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 41)
6/30 SB 159 Authorizes Renewable Energy Substations in Industrial Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/30 S 4530 Requires The Board of Public Utilities to Revise Community Solar Program Targets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
6/30 A 5563 Establishes a "Summer Termination Program" for Certain Utility Customers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/30 A 5267 Requires the Board of Public Utilities to Establish an Incentive Program for the Development of Transmission-Scale Energy Storage Systems Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/30 A 5264 Requires the Establishment of an Automated Platform to Expedite Approval to Build Residential Solar Units Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/24 HB 2066 Authorizes the Use of Microgrids and Requires the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to Establish Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)

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