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
Oct. 21, 2025 NC SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 20, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Oct. 15, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Oct. 14, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 39 Requires State Employees to Work In-Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 35 Repeals Restrictions to Make it Easier for Candidates to Remove Their Names from Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 9, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
Oct. 9, 2025 National H J Res 106 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
Oct. 8, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Oct. 8, 2025 National H J Res 105 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 45)
Oct. 8, 2025 National H J Res 105 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
Oct. 7, 2025 National H J Res 104 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment". Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 3, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 3, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 96 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Sept. 30, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
Sept. 30, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Sept. 29, 2025 National S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
Sept. 23, 2025 SD SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 22, 2025 NC HB 926 Limits Local Governments' Authority to Regulate the Display of the U.S. Flag on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Sept. 19, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
Sept. 19, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
Sept. 16, 2025 National S J Res 60 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Emissions Budget and Allowance Allocations for Indiana Under the Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update". Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Sept. 16, 2025 National S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1098 Establishes the California Education Interagency Council Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
Sept. 9, 2025 PA SB 460 Amends Procedures for When a Governor or Lieutenant Governor is Unable to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2025 PA SB 460 Amends Procedures for When a Governor or Lieutenant Governor is Unable to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 5 Requires Election Officials to Complete the Counting of All Ballots Within 13 Days Following an Election Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 4, 2025 TX HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
Aug. 21, 2025 CA SB 280 Establishes Timelines Procedures, and Appropriates Funding for Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 21, 2025 CA AB 604 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 21, 2025 CA ACA 8 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Redistricting Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 21, 2025 CA ACA 8 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Redistricting Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 4 (Special Session) Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 16 (Special Session) Appropriates Funding for the State Judicial Omnibus Package Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/21 SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
10/21 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/21 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/20 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
10/16 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
10/15 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
10/14 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
10/14 AB 39 Requires State Employees to Work In-Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
10/14 AB 35 Repeals Restrictions to Make it Easier for Candidates to Remove Their Names from Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/09 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/09 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
10/09 H J Res 106 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
10/08 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/08 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
10/08 H J Res 105 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 45)
10/08 H J Res 105 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan". Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
10/07 H J Res 104 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment". Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
10/07 HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/03 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
10/03 HB 4706 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/03 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
10/03 SB 166 Appropriates $17.9 Billion for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/01 HB 96 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
9/30 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
9/30 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
9/29 S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
9/23 SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/22 HB 926 Limits Local Governments' Authority to Regulate the Display of the U.S. Flag on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
9/19 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
9/19 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
9/16 S J Res 60 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Emissions Budget and Allowance Allocations for Indiana Under the Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update". Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
9/16 S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
9/12 AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
9/12 AB 1098 Establishes the California Education Interagency Council Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
9/09 SB 460 Amends Procedures for When a Governor or Lieutenant Governor is Unable to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
9/09 SB 460 Amends Procedures for When a Governor or Lieutenant Governor is Unable to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
9/08 AB 5 Requires Election Officials to Complete the Counting of All Ballots Within 13 Days Following an Election Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/04 HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
8/21 SB 280 Establishes Timelines Procedures, and Appropriates Funding for Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/21 AB 604 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/21 ACA 8 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Redistricting Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
8/21 ACA 8 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment on Congressional Redistricting Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 8)
8/12 SB 4 (Special Session) Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
8/12 SB 16 (Special Session) Appropriates Funding for the State Judicial Omnibus Package Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)

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