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
April 10, 2025 National PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
April 10, 2025 TN SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 10, 2025 AR HB 1974 Prohibits State Entities from Employing Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
April 10, 2025 TX SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
April 10, 2025 IL SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
April 9, 2025 AZ HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
April 8, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-18 Nomination of Peter Hoekstra to be Ambassador to Canada Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 37)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 8, 2025 NY S 5014 Prohibits the Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Certain African Wildlife Species and Products Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 8)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 National HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
April 3, 2025 AR HB 1745 Authorizes Fines for Semi-Truck Drivers Who Cannot Speak English Sufficiently Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 2, 2025 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
April 2, 2025 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
April 1, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
April 1, 2025 ID H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2025 National HR 1491 Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 0)
March 31, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
March 31, 2025 National HR 517 Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 24)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 24)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 946 Requires the Attorney General to Investigate Any Law Enforcement Officer Who Intentionally Fails to Comply With the Requirements of State Immigration Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
March 24, 2025 IN HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
March 24, 2025 NJ S 3199 Establishes the New Jersey-Haiti Commission Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
March 24, 2025 OR SB 599 Prohibits Landlords From Inquiring About the Immigration or Citizenship Status of an Applicant, Tenant, or Other Member of a Household Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 20, 2025 KS HB 2020 Requires a Quarterly Report Listing the Names, Addresses and Registration Numbers of Certain Non-Citizens Who Have Been Issued a Driver's License Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 35)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4195 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to Obtain Driver's Licenses and State ID's Bill Failed - House (39 - 64)
March 20, 2025 IA HF 572 Establishes the Criminal Offense of Human Smuggling Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
March 19, 2025 KS HB 2020 Requires a Quarterly Report Listing the Names, Addresses and Registration Numbers of Certain Non-Citizens Who Have Been Issued a Driver's License Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 17 Increases Sanctions Against Foreign Entities from Purchasing Land in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 24 Requires State Assistance with Federal Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
March 17, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
March 17, 2025 ID H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 17, 2025 MD SB 828 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
March 14, 2025 KY HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
4/10 SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/10 HB 1974 Prohibits State Entities from Employing Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
4/10 SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
4/10 SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
4/09 HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
4/08 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
4/08 PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
4/08 PN 25-18 Nomination of Peter Hoekstra to be Ambassador to Canada Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 37)
4/08 PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
4/08 PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/08 S 5014 Prohibits the Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Certain African Wildlife Species and Products Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 8)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
4/03 HB 1745 Authorizes Fines for Semi-Truck Drivers Who Cannot Speak English Sufficiently Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/03 SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/02 S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
4/02 S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
4/01 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
4/01 H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/01 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 HR 1491 Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 0)
3/31 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
3/31 HR 517 Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 24)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 24)
3/26 HF 946 Requires the Attorney General to Investigate Any Law Enforcement Officer Who Intentionally Fails to Comply With the Requirements of State Immigration Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/24 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
3/24 PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
3/24 HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
3/24 S 3199 Establishes the New Jersey-Haiti Commission Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
3/24 SB 599 Prohibits Landlords From Inquiring About the Immigration or Citizenship Status of an Applicant, Tenant, or Other Member of a Household Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/20 HB 2020 Requires a Quarterly Report Listing the Names, Addresses and Registration Numbers of Certain Non-Citizens Who Have Been Issued a Driver's License Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 35)
3/20 HB 4195 Authorizes Undocumented Individuals to Obtain Driver's Licenses and State ID's Bill Failed - House (39 - 64)
3/20 HF 572 Establishes the Criminal Offense of Human Smuggling Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
3/19 HB 2020 Requires a Quarterly Report Listing the Names, Addresses and Registration Numbers of Certain Non-Citizens Who Have Been Issued a Driver's License Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/19 SB 17 Increases Sanctions Against Foreign Entities from Purchasing Land in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/18 AB 24 Requires State Assistance with Federal Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
3/17 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
3/17 H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/17 SB 828 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
3/14 HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)

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