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 22, 2025 National HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
May 22, 2025 NJ A 4969 Requires that Boards of Elections have Discretion to Make Initial Determination of Validity of Cast Ballots and Requires Secretary of State to Establish Uniform Guidelines for Assessing Validity of Ballots (76 - 2)
May 22, 2025 NJ A 4969 Requires that Boards of Elections have Discretion to Make Initial Determination of Validity of Cast Ballots and Requires Secretary of State to Establish Uniform Guidelines for Assessing Validity of Ballots (76 - 2)
May 21, 2025 NV AB 325 Prohibits Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Make Final Decisions on Planning Emergency Responses and Allocating Resources Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
May 21, 2025 NV SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 21, 2025 NV SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 21, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
May 21, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
May 20, 2025 IL SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
May 20, 2025 ME LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)
May 20, 2025 ME LD 1576 Prohibits Legislative Staff from Lobbying for at Least a Year after Leaving Their Positions "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (115 - 28)
May 20, 2025 DE HB 1 Establishes the Delaware Department Of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (38 - 0)
May 20, 2025 OK HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
May 19, 2025 MN SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 18)
May 19, 2025 MN SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 31)
May 19, 2025 National PN 24-4 Nomination of Charles Kushner to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
May 19, 2025 CT HB 6863 Specifies Deficiency Appropriations For The Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 19, 2025 National PN 24-4 Nomination of Charles Kushner to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
May 19, 2025 LA HB 685 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in State Agencies Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
May 19, 2025 LA HB 685 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in State Agencies Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
May 19, 2025 CT HB 6863 Specifies Deficiency Appropriations For The Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (98 - 46)
May 18, 2025 MN HF 2563 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Legacy Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 21)
May 18, 2025 MN HF 2563 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Legacy Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
May 15, 2025 NH HB 511 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
May 15, 2025 OK SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
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 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 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 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 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 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 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
May 14, 2025 National PN 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 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
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 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 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 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 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 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 OH SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
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 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/22 HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
5/22 A 4969 Requires that Boards of Elections have Discretion to Make Initial Determination of Validity of Cast Ballots and Requires Secretary of State to Establish Uniform Guidelines for Assessing Validity of Ballots (76 - 2)
5/22 A 4969 Requires that Boards of Elections have Discretion to Make Initial Determination of Validity of Cast Ballots and Requires Secretary of State to Establish Uniform Guidelines for Assessing Validity of Ballots (76 - 2)
5/21 AB 325 Prohibits Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Make Final Decisions on Planning Emergency Responses and Allocating Resources Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
5/21 SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/21 SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/21 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
5/21 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
5/20 SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
5/20 LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)
5/20 LD 1576 Prohibits Legislative Staff from Lobbying for at Least a Year after Leaving Their Positions "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (115 - 28)
5/20 HB 1 Establishes the Delaware Department Of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (38 - 0)
5/20 HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
5/19 SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 18)
5/19 SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 31)
5/19 PN 24-4 Nomination of Charles Kushner to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
5/19 HB 6863 Specifies Deficiency Appropriations For The Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/19 PN 24-4 Nomination of Charles Kushner to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
5/19 HB 685 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in State Agencies Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
5/19 HB 685 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in State Agencies Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
5/19 HB 6863 Specifies Deficiency Appropriations For The Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (98 - 46)
5/18 HF 2563 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Legacy Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 21)
5/18 HF 2563 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Legacy Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
5/15 HB 511 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
5/15 SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
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 125 Requires the Public Service Commission to Conduct a Study to Determine Potential Sites for a Nuclear Power Plant Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/15 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)
5/14 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 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
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 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
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 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
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 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 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
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 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 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/14 SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
5/14 LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/13 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)

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