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
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 AZ HB 2084 Authorizes Construction of Border Walls without Building Permits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 4, 2020 KY SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2020 GA SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Jan. 30, 2020 National HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166)
Jan. 30, 2020 National HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166)
Jan. 30, 2020 National HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175)
Jan. 30, 2020 National HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 16, 2020 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
Jan. 16, 2020 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
Jan. 9, 2020 National H Con Res 83 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
Jan. 9, 2020 National H Con Res 83 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
Dec. 19, 2019 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (385 - 41)
Dec. 19, 2019 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (385 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2019 National S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 48)
Dec. 11, 2019 National HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
Dec. 6, 2019 National H Res 326 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United States efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution Bill Passed - House (226 - 188)
Dec. 3, 2019 National S 178 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (407 - 1)
Dec. 3, 2019 National H Res 546 Disapproving the Russian Federation's inclusion in future Group of Seven summits until it respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors and adheres to the standards of democratic societies Bill Passed - House (339 - 71)
Nov. 20, 2019 National S 1838 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (417 - 1)
Nov. 18, 2019 National HR 3702 Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (290 - 118)
Nov. 15, 2019 National HR 4863 United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
Nov. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 13, 2019 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - House (91 - 0)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Nov. 12, 2019 National HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
Oct. 29, 2019 National H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
Oct. 29, 2019 National HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
Oct. 29, 2019 National HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Oct. 16, 2019 National H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
Oct. 16, 2019 National H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
Sept. 25, 2019 National HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
Sept. 25, 2019 National HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
July 25, 2019 National HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/06 HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 2084 Authorizes Construction of Border Walls without Building Permits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/03 SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
2/03 HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
1/30 HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166)
1/30 HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166)
1/30 HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175)
1/30 HR 550 No War Against Iran Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/16 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
1/16 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
1/09 H Con Res 83 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
1/09 H Con Res 83 Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
12/19 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (385 - 41)
12/19 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - House (385 - 41)
12/11 S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 48)
12/11 HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
12/06 H Res 326 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United States efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution Bill Passed - House (226 - 188)
12/03 S 178 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (407 - 1)
12/03 H Res 546 Disapproving the Russian Federation's inclusion in future Group of Seven summits until it respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors and adheres to the standards of democratic societies Bill Passed - House (339 - 71)
11/20 S 1838 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (417 - 1)
11/18 HR 3702 Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (290 - 118)
11/15 HR 4863 United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/13 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - House (91 - 0)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
10/29 H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
10/29 HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
10/29 HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
10/16 H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
10/16 H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/26 HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
9/25 HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
9/25 HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
9/09 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
9/05 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
7/29 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
7/29 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
7/29 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
7/29 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
7/29 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
7/29 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
7/25 HR 549 Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (272 - 158)

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