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
May 15, 2025 National PN 25-11 Nomination of Sean Donahue to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
May 15, 2025 WI SB 56 Authorizes Private Water Utilities to Access Federal Funds for Loan Forgiveness for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
May 15, 2025 WI SB 125 Requires the Public Service Commission to Conduct a Study to Determine Potential Sites for a Nuclear Power Plant Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
May 14, 2025 OK HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
May 14, 2025 OK HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
May 14, 2025 ME LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
May 14, 2025 National PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
May 14, 2025 National PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
May 14, 2025 OR SB 1175 Establishes a Temporary Task Force on Removing Barriers to Jury Service Bill Passed - House (37 - 15)
May 14, 2025 National PN 25-11 Nomination of Sean Donahue to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 OH SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
May 14, 2025 OH SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
May 14, 2025 MI SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
May 13, 2025 National PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
May 13, 2025 National PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
May 13, 2025 National PN 13-4 Nomination of James Danly to be Deputy Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
May 13, 2025 VT S 125 Authorizes Supervisors in Vermont's Judiciary System to Form a Union Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
May 13, 2025 IA HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
May 13, 2025 ME LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
May 13, 2025 National PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
May 13, 2025 National PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
May 13, 2025 National PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
May 13, 2025 National PN 13-4 Nomination of James Danly to be Deputy Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
May 13, 2025 PA HB 1396 Establishes Elections Regulations Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
May 13, 2025 WI AB 140 Exempts Tax Incremental District Number 5 in the City of Port Washington From Limits on Taxable Property Bill Passed - House (91 - 6)
May 13, 2025 PA SB 90 Establishes Entry Level Training and Testing for Services of the Firefighter I Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
May 12, 2025 National PN 12-10 Nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
May 12, 2025 NV AB 530 Authorizes the Clark County Commission to Continue Fuel Tax Increases Without Voter Approval Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 12, 2025 National PN 12-10 Nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
May 12, 2025 National PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
May 12, 2025 AK SB 64 Limits State Politicians' Ability to Accept Campaign Donations (Senate Version) Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 12, 2025 AK SB 26 Exempts the State from Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
May 8, 2025 OR HB 3175 Repeals the Limit on the Fee That Counties Can Set for Activities Related to the Public Land Corner Preservation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
May 8, 2025 National HR 276 Gulf of America Act Bill Passed - House (211 - 206)
May 8, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 8, 2025 CA SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 8, 2025 RI H 5872 Prohibits the Use of Artificially Generated or Altered Campaign Materials Without Disclosure Within 90 Days of Any Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 1)
May 7, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 7, 2025 OK SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
May 7, 2025 OK SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
May 7, 2025 MN HF 2434 Appropriates Funding for the State Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 165 Establishes Juneteenth as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
May 7, 2025 AL SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
May 7, 2025 AL SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
May 7, 2025 AL SB 158 Prohibits Using Foreign National Driver's Licenses as a Form of Identification when Voting Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 7, 2025 LA HB 667 Reduces State Income Taxes with Voter Passage of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
May 7, 2025 LA HB 667 Reduces State Income Taxes with Voter Passage of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 24)
May 6, 2025 National PN 20 Nomination of Frank Bisignano to be Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 6, 2025 AL SB 5 Amends and Restructures the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Department of Archives and History Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
May 6, 2025 AZ SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - House (31 - 23)
May 5, 2025 MN HF 2434 Appropriates Funding for the State Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (109 - 25)
May 2, 2025 ND HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 2, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 7)
May 1, 2025 ND HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 36)
May 1, 2025 AZ HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 1, 2025 ND HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Concurrence Vote Failed - House (46 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/15 PN 25-11 Nomination of Sean Donahue to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
5/15 SB 56 Authorizes Private Water Utilities to Access Federal Funds for Loan Forgiveness for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
5/15 SB 125 Requires the Public Service Commission to Conduct a Study to Determine Potential Sites for a Nuclear Power Plant Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/14 HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
5/14 HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
5/14 LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
5/14 PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
5/14 PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
5/14 PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
5/14 SB 1175 Establishes a Temporary Task Force on Removing Barriers to Jury Service Bill Passed - House (37 - 15)
5/14 PN 25-11 Nomination of Sean Donahue to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
5/14 SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
5/14 SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/14 LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/13 PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
5/13 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
5/13 PN 13-4 Nomination of James Danly to be Deputy Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
5/13 S 125 Authorizes Supervisors in Vermont's Judiciary System to Form a Union Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
5/13 HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
5/13 LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
5/13 PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
5/13 PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
5/13 PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
5/13 PN 13-4 Nomination of James Danly to be Deputy Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
5/13 HB 1396 Establishes Elections Regulations Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
5/13 AB 140 Exempts Tax Incremental District Number 5 in the City of Port Washington From Limits on Taxable Property Bill Passed - House (91 - 6)
5/13 SB 90 Establishes Entry Level Training and Testing for Services of the Firefighter I Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
5/12 PN 12-10 Nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
5/12 AB 530 Authorizes the Clark County Commission to Continue Fuel Tax Increases Without Voter Approval Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/12 PN 12-10 Nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
5/12 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
5/12 SB 64 Limits State Politicians' Ability to Accept Campaign Donations (Senate Version) Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/12 SB 26 Exempts the State from Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
5/08 HB 3175 Repeals the Limit on the Fee That Counties Can Set for Activities Related to the Public Land Corner Preservation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
5/08 HR 276 Gulf of America Act Bill Passed - House (211 - 206)
5/08 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/08 SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/08 H 5872 Prohibits the Use of Artificially Generated or Altered Campaign Materials Without Disclosure Within 90 Days of Any Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 1)
5/07 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/07 SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
5/07 SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
5/07 HF 2434 Appropriates Funding for the State Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
5/07 HB 165 Establishes Juneteenth as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
5/07 SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
5/07 SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
5/07 SB 158 Prohibits Using Foreign National Driver's Licenses as a Form of Identification when Voting Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/07 HB 667 Reduces State Income Taxes with Voter Passage of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
5/07 HB 667 Reduces State Income Taxes with Voter Passage of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
5/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 24)
5/06 PN 20 Nomination of Frank Bisignano to be Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
5/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/06 SB 5 Amends and Restructures the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Department of Archives and History Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
5/06 SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - House (31 - 23)
5/05 HF 2434 Appropriates Funding for the State Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (109 - 25)
5/02 HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
5/02 HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 8)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/02 HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/02 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 7)
5/01 HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 36)
5/01 HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/01 HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Concurrence Vote Failed - House (46 - 45)

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