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
June 9, 2025 ME LD 259 Establishes the Criminal Records Review Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
June 9, 2025 National PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
June 5, 2025 National PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
June 4, 2025 National PN 55-47 Nomination of Edward Walsh to be Ambassador to Ireland Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 38)
June 4, 2025 National PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 46)
June 4, 2025 OR HB 2155 Establishes Confidentiality Rules for Accident Reports and Vehicle Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
June 4, 2025 CT HB 7004 Authorizes Municipalities in Connecticut to Enter Into Interlocal Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 4, 2025 CT HB 7004 Authorizes Municipalities in Connecticut to Enter Into Interlocal Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 4, 2025 National PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
June 4, 2025 National PN 55-47 Nomination of Edward Walsh to be Ambassador to Ireland Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 37)
June 4, 2025 National PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
June 3, 2025 LA SB 59 Increases Economic Oversight of Legislative Actions in Louisiana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 3, 2025 National PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
June 3, 2025 National PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
June 3, 2025 National PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 36)
June 3, 2025 LA HB 674 Amends and Revises the State's Code of Ethics Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
June 3, 2025 CT HB 7287 Appropriates Funding for the Connecticut State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 3, 2025 National PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
June 3, 2025 National PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 37)
June 2, 2025 ME LD 870 Amends Membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 2, 2025 NV AB 499 Requires Voter Photo Identification and Reforms to Mail Voting and Voter Registration Systems Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 2, 2025 NV AB 597 Authorizes a Registered Voter who has Indicated on his or her Voter Registration that he or she is not Affiliated with a Political Party to Vote in a Primary Election for a Major Political Party by Requesting a Partisan Mail Ballot or Requesting a Partisan Ballot in Person Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
June 2, 2025 ME LD 1768 Appropriates the Tax Received from Buyers of Mobile Home Parks Entirely to the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
June 2, 2025 National PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 518 Establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Department of Justice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 31, 2025 IL HB 1075 Appropriates and Designates Funding for Budget Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
May 30, 2025 NV AB 105 Prohibits Firearm Possession Near Election Sites and Requires Signage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 30, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
May 30, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
May 29, 2025 OK HB 2163 Expands the Attorney General's Authority to Enforce the Oklahoma Open Records Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
May 29, 2025 CA SB 515 Requires Cities and Counties to Collect Specific Categories for Black or African American Ancestry when Collecting Demographic Data Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 29, 2025 CA SB 428 Authorizes the Permanent Office of the State Auditor to be Located in West Sacramento Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 29, 2025 CA SB 345 Authorizes the State Fire Marshall to Establish and Collect Fees Associated with Fire Training and Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 28, 2025 SC H 4025 Appropriates $14.4 Billion Funds for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
May 28, 2025 CT SB 1358 Restructures the Compensation of Nonprofit Employees in Connecticut to Match Inflation Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
May 27, 2025 TX HB 1690 Authorizes Notice Requirements for Groundwater Transfer Permit Applications Across Conservation Districts Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 22, 2025 NH HB 57 Establishes Bail Standards for Serious and Violent Offenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
May 22, 2025 OK HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
May 22, 2025 DE SB 4 Establishes the Independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
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 ME LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/09 LD 259 Establishes the Criminal Records Review Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
6/09 PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
6/05 PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
6/04 PN 55-47 Nomination of Edward Walsh to be Ambassador to Ireland Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 38)
6/04 PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 46)
6/04 HB 2155 Establishes Confidentiality Rules for Accident Reports and Vehicle Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
6/04 HB 7004 Authorizes Municipalities in Connecticut to Enter Into Interlocal Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/04 HB 7004 Authorizes Municipalities in Connecticut to Enter Into Interlocal Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/04 PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
6/04 PN 55-47 Nomination of Edward Walsh to be Ambassador to Ireland Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 37)
6/04 PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
6/03 SB 59 Increases Economic Oversight of Legislative Actions in Louisiana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/03 PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
6/03 PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
6/03 PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 36)
6/03 HB 674 Amends and Revises the State's Code of Ethics Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
6/03 HB 7287 Appropriates Funding for the Connecticut State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/03 PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
6/03 PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 37)
6/02 LD 870 Amends Membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/02 AB 499 Requires Voter Photo Identification and Reforms to Mail Voting and Voter Registration Systems Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/02 AB 597 Authorizes a Registered Voter who has Indicated on his or her Voter Registration that he or she is not Affiliated with a Political Party to Vote in a Primary Election for a Major Political Party by Requesting a Partisan Mail Ballot or Requesting a Partisan Ballot in Person Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
6/02 LD 1768 Appropriates the Tax Received from Buyers of Mobile Home Parks Entirely to the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
6/02 PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
6/02 SB 518 Establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Department of Justice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/31 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/31 HB 1075 Appropriates and Designates Funding for Budget Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
5/30 AB 105 Prohibits Firearm Possession Near Election Sites and Requires Signage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/30 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
5/30 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
5/29 HB 2163 Expands the Attorney General's Authority to Enforce the Oklahoma Open Records Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
5/29 SB 515 Requires Cities and Counties to Collect Specific Categories for Black or African American Ancestry when Collecting Demographic Data Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/29 SB 428 Authorizes the Permanent Office of the State Auditor to be Located in West Sacramento Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/29 SB 345 Authorizes the State Fire Marshall to Establish and Collect Fees Associated with Fire Training and Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/28 H 4025 Appropriates $14.4 Billion Funds for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
5/28 SB 1358 Restructures the Compensation of Nonprofit Employees in Connecticut to Match Inflation Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
5/27 HB 1690 Authorizes Notice Requirements for Groundwater Transfer Permit Applications Across Conservation Districts Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/22 HB 57 Establishes Bail Standards for Serious and Violent Offenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
5/22 HB 2766 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Oklahoma State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
5/22 SB 4 Establishes the Independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
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 LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)

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