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
Jan. 30, 2025 SD SB 10 Requires Records of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be Opened After 5 Years Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
Jan. 30, 2025 NH SB 71 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2025 National PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2025 National PN 11-15 Nomination of Christopher Wright to be Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 35)
Jan. 30, 2025 ND HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - House (86 - 7)
Jan. 29, 2025 National PN 11-23 Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 42)
Jan. 29, 2025 National PN 11-23 Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
Jan. 29, 2025 ID H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Jan. 28, 2025 National PN 11-6 Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (77 - 22)
Jan. 28, 2025 NY A 1020 Amends and Updates Emergency Response Training for Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2025 DE SB 50 Amends and Reallocates Capital Funding to Existing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2025 DE HB 6 Authorizes and Grants Subpoena Power to the State Auditor Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Jan. 28, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Jan. 27, 2025 National PN 11-1 Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
Jan. 27, 2025 National PN 11-6 Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation Cloture Invoked - Senate (97 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2025 CO HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
Jan. 27, 2025 IN SJR 21 Specifies Term Limits for Members of Congress Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
Jan. 27, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
Jan. 25, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
Jan. 25, 2025 National PN 11-1 Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 23)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
Jan. 24, 2025 ND HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 23, 2025 SD SB 10 Requires Records of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be Opened After 5 Years Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - House (62 - 29)
Jan. 23, 2025 SD SB 12 Repeals a Campaign Finance Loophole that Authorized Unlimited Funds Into a Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 23, 2025 CA SB 2 Appropriates $25 Million for the State Department of Justice to Pay for Legal Battles Involving the Federal Government Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Jan. 23, 2025 CA SB 2 Appropriates $25 Million for the State Department of Justice to Pay for Legal Battles Involving the Federal Government Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Jan. 22, 2025 SD HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
Jan. 22, 2025 NY S 793 Requires that the New York State Council on the Arts Retains Powers During Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
Jan. 22, 2025 SD HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
Jan. 22, 2025 NY S 824 Establishes a New Climate Change Adaptation Fund to Collect Payment From Certain Fossil Fuel Entities Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
Jan. 21, 2025 National PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Jan. 21, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 21, 2025 WY SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2025 WY SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2025 ND HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - House (86 - 1)
Jan. 21, 2025 National HR 187 MAPWaters Act Bill Passed - House (413 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2025 DE SB 42 Amends Previous Changes Made to the State Judicial Pension Plan Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2025 VA SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Jan. 20, 2025 National PN 11-13 Nomination of Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (99 - 0)
Jan. 20, 2025 WY HB 156 Requires 30-Day Residency Before Registering to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
Jan. 20, 2025 WY HB 147 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Engaging in Any Diversity, Equity or Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
Jan. 16, 2025 AR HB 1056 Establishes a Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Jan. 14, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
Jan. 14, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 9 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 35)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
Jan. 14, 2025 ME SP 97 Limits the Use of Vague Placeholder Bills Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2025 MO HR 7 Establishes Rules of the State House of Representatives for the 103rd General Assembly Resolution Passed - House (106 - 54)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 48)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
Jan. 13, 2025 NY S 88 Amends Various New York Laws Relating to Elections and Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
Jan. 8, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Jan. 8, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Jan. 7, 2025 IL HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 38)
Jan. 7, 2025 IL HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 38)
Jan. 5, 2025 IL HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Jan. 5, 2025 IL HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Jan. 3, 2025 National H Res 5 Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (215 - 209)
Jan. 3, 2025 National H Res 5 Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (215 - 209)
Dec. 21, 2024 National HR 10545 American Relief Act, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 11)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 5695 Increases Financial Support Available to Ground Ambulance Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 6145 Amends Various Public Regulations Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 5400 Amends The Term "Ethnic Intimidation" to "Hate Crime" in the Civil Rights Chapter of the State Penal Code Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 20, 2024 National HR 10545 American Relief Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (366 - 34)
Dec. 19, 2024 National HR 10515 American Relief Act Bill Failed - House (174 - 235)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 315 Authorizes Local Governments to Establish Township Preservation Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/30 SB 10 Requires Records of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be Opened After 5 Years Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
1/30 SB 71 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
1/30 PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 13)
1/30 PN 11-15 Nomination of Christopher Wright to be Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 35)
1/30 HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - House (86 - 7)
1/29 PN 11-23 Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 42)
1/29 PN 11-23 Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
1/29 H 32 Prohibits Government and School Mask Mandates Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
1/28 PN 11-6 Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (77 - 22)
1/28 A 1020 Amends and Updates Emergency Response Training for Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
1/28 SB 50 Amends and Reallocates Capital Funding to Existing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
1/28 HB 6 Authorizes and Grants Subpoena Power to the State Auditor Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
1/28 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
1/28 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
1/27 PN 11-1 Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
1/27 PN 11-6 Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation Cloture Invoked - Senate (97 - 0)
1/27 HB 25-1058 Amends the Process when an Individual Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
1/27 SJR 21 Specifies Term Limits for Members of Congress Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
1/27 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
1/27 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
1/25 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
1/25 PN 11-1 Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 23)
1/24 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
1/24 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
1/24 HB 1298 Increases the State Interstate Speed Limit from 75 to 80 Miles Per Hour Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
1/23 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
1/23 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
1/23 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
1/23 SB 10 Requires Records of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be Opened After 5 Years Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
1/23 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - House (62 - 29)
1/23 SB 12 Repeals a Campaign Finance Loophole that Authorized Unlimited Funds Into a Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/23 SB 2 Appropriates $25 Million for the State Department of Justice to Pay for Legal Battles Involving the Federal Government Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
1/23 SB 2 Appropriates $25 Million for the State Department of Justice to Pay for Legal Battles Involving the Federal Government Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
1/22 HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
1/22 S 793 Requires that the New York State Council on the Arts Retains Powers During Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
1/22 HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
1/22 S 824 Establishes a New Climate Change Adaptation Fund to Collect Payment From Certain Fossil Fuel Entities Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
1/21 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
1/21 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/21 SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
1/21 SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
1/21 HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - House (86 - 1)
1/21 HR 187 MAPWaters Act Bill Passed - House (413 - 0)
1/21 SB 42 Amends Previous Changes Made to the State Judicial Pension Plan Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
1/21 SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
1/20 PN 11-13 Nomination of Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (99 - 0)
1/20 HB 156 Requires 30-Day Residency Before Registering to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
1/20 HB 147 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Engaging in Any Diversity, Equity or Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
1/16 HB 1056 Establishes a Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
1/14 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
1/14 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
1/14 HJR 9 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 35)
1/14 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
1/14 SP 97 Limits the Use of Vague Placeholder Bills Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
1/14 HR 7 Establishes Rules of the State House of Representatives for the 103rd General Assembly Resolution Passed - House (106 - 54)
1/14 HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 48)
1/14 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
1/13 S 88 Amends Various New York Laws Relating to Elections and Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
1/08 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
1/08 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
1/07 HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 38)
1/07 HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 38)
1/05 HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
1/05 HB 5164 Amends the Clerks of the Court Act to Reduce State Requirements for Name Changes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
1/03 H Res 5 Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (215 - 209)
1/03 H Res 5 Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (215 - 209)
12/21 HR 10545 American Relief Act, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 11)
12/20 HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
12/20 HB 5695 Increases Financial Support Available to Ground Ambulance Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
12/20 HB 6145 Amends Various Public Regulations Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/20 HB 5400 Amends The Term "Ethnic Intimidation" to "Hate Crime" in the Civil Rights Chapter of the State Penal Code Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/20 HR 10545 American Relief Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (366 - 34)
12/19 HR 10515 American Relief Act Bill Failed - House (174 - 235)
12/18 SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
12/18 HB 315 Authorizes Local Governments to Establish Township Preservation Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 7)

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