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
March 9, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 9, 2020 MN SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 2, 2020 NY S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
Feb. 13, 2020 National S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2020 National S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
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)
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. 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)
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)
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. 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 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
June 29, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 National S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/09 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/09 SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/03 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/02 S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
2/13 S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
2/13 S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
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)
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)
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)
11/12 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)
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)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
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)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/17 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
7/08 AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
6/29 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 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 Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)

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