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. 25, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2025 National PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 25, 2025 MI HB 4052 Increases Transparency and Prohibits Legislators From Signing Certain NDAs Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
Feb. 25, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
Feb. 25, 2025 MI HB 4053 Establishes New Law and Prohibits Legislators From Signing Certain NDAs Bill Passed - House (91 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2025 NY S 824 Establishes a New Climate Change Adaptation Fund to Collect Payment From Certain Fossil Fuel Entities Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
Feb. 24, 2025 National PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2025 TN SB 320 Reduces the Population Mandate for a County Selling Alcohol at a Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2025 SD SB 198 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to First Attend a Mediation Meeting with Affected Landowners Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2025 NM HB 2 Appropriates Funds for the 2025-2026 State General Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 21, 2025 UT HB 81 Prohibits Adding Fluoride to Public Water Systems Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
Feb. 21, 2025 National S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 21, 2025 ID H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 21, 2025 ND HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (64 - 26)
Feb. 21, 2025 WV SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2025 ND HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (64 - 26)
Feb. 21, 2025 WV SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2359 Establishes the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 34)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2101 Prohibits Municipalities from Adopting and Implementing a Guaranteed Income Program Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2025 OK HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (86 - 3)
Feb. 20, 2025 OK HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (86 - 3)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2025 MO HB 495 Transfers State Control of the St. Louis Police Department to a Governor Appointed Board Bill Passed - House (106 - 47)
Feb. 20, 2025 IN HB 1008 Establishes a Commission to Analyze Possible County Secession from Illinois to Indiana Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2025 WA HB 1130 Requires the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration Prioritize Specified Populations when Enrolling Eligible Clients Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2025 GA HB 86 Establishes New Structure for State Judge Salaries Bill Passed - House (167 - 6)
Feb. 20, 2025 GA HB 85 Establishes Guidelines for Local Supplements for State Superior Court Judges Bill Passed - House (163 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2025 AZ SB 1256 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs for Purposes of Hiring, Training, or Promotion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2025 National PN 11-18 Nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1256 Requires Individuals to Sign Petitions Using Their Voter Registration Address Instead of Their Residency Address. Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 KY HJR 15 Requires the Return of a Granite Monument Inscribed with the 10 Commandments to the Capitol Grounds for Permanent Display Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2025 National S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
Feb. 18, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Motion Agreed - Senate (48 - 45)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
Feb. 18, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
Feb. 17, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 KS HB 2106 Prohibits Contributions to Support or Defeat a Constitutional Amendment Referendum from Foreign Nationals Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
Feb. 14, 2025 ID H 231 Increases the Annual Grocery Tax Credit to $155 Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-12 Nomination of Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 28)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-18 Nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2025 AZ HB 2703 Amends the State Ballot Counting Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT HB 342 Prohibits Juries from Calculating Malpractice Damages Based on Anything Other than the Standard of Care Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 13, 2025 GA SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT SB 221 Establishes Structured Guidance for Environmental Reviews Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2025 MO HB 75 Prohibits Any Public Official from Restricting Access to Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/25 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
2/25 PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
2/25 HB 4052 Increases Transparency and Prohibits Legislators From Signing Certain NDAs Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
2/25 H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
2/25 HB 4053 Establishes New Law and Prohibits Legislators From Signing Certain NDAs Bill Passed - House (91 - 17)
2/24 S 824 Establishes a New Climate Change Adaptation Fund to Collect Payment From Certain Fossil Fuel Entities Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
2/24 PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
2/24 SB 320 Reduces the Population Mandate for a County Selling Alcohol at a Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/24 SB 198 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to First Attend a Mediation Meeting with Affected Landowners Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 HB 2 Appropriates Funds for the 2025-2026 State General Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41)
2/21 HB 81 Prohibits Adding Fluoride to Public Water Systems Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
2/21 S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/21 H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/21 HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (64 - 26)
2/21 SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/21 HB 1408 Requires Annual Legislative Sessions Bill Passed - House (64 - 26)
2/21 SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
2/20 HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/20 SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
2/20 LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
2/20 HB 2359 Establishes the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 34)
2/20 HB 2101 Prohibits Municipalities from Adopting and Implementing a Guaranteed Income Program Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
2/20 HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (86 - 3)
2/20 HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (86 - 3)
2/20 LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
2/20 LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
2/20 LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
2/20 HB 495 Transfers State Control of the St. Louis Police Department to a Governor Appointed Board Bill Passed - House (106 - 47)
2/20 HB 1008 Establishes a Commission to Analyze Possible County Secession from Illinois to Indiana Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
2/20 HB 1130 Requires the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration Prioritize Specified Populations when Enrolling Eligible Clients Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
2/20 HB 86 Establishes New Structure for State Judge Salaries Bill Passed - House (167 - 6)
2/20 HB 85 Establishes Guidelines for Local Supplements for State Superior Court Judges Bill Passed - House (163 - 7)
2/20 SB 1256 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs for Purposes of Hiring, Training, or Promotion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/19 PN 11-18 Nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/19 HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
2/19 HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
2/19 HB 1256 Requires Individuals to Sign Petitions Using Their Voter Registration Address Instead of Their Residency Address. Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
2/19 AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/19 HJR 15 Requires the Return of a Granite Monument Inscribed with the 10 Commandments to the Capitol Grounds for Permanent Display Joint Resolution Passed - House (79 - 13)
2/18 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
2/18 SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
2/18 HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
2/18 HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/18 S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
2/18 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Motion Agreed - Senate (48 - 45)
2/18 HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
2/18 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/17 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
2/17 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
2/14 HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/14 HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/14 HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/14 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2106 Prohibits Contributions to Support or Defeat a Constitutional Amendment Referendum from Foreign Nationals Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
2/14 H 231 Increases the Annual Grocery Tax Credit to $155 Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/13 PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/13 PN 11-12 Nomination of Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 28)
2/13 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
2/13 PN 11-18 Nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 43)
2/13 HB 2703 Amends the State Ballot Counting Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
2/13 HB 342 Prohibits Juries from Calculating Malpractice Damages Based on Anything Other than the Standard of Care Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/13 SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
2/13 HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
2/13 SB 221 Establishes Structured Guidance for Environmental Reviews Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
2/13 HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
2/13 HB 75 Prohibits Any Public Official from Restricting Access to Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)

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