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
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 8, 2025 AR SB 520 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
April 8, 2025 OR SB 951 Prohibits Management Services Organizations From Exerting Control Over Medical Practices and Restricts Certain Contractual Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 7, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
April 7, 2025 IA HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1424 Appropriates State Funding to Assist Laid-Off Federal Workers and Expands Attorney General Power to Pursue Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 IA SF 303 Prohibits County Boards of Supervisors and City Councils from Placing Additional Restrictions on Fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, and December 31st Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 5, 2025 MT SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 4, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
April 4, 2025 GA HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 1)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 3, 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. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 2, 2025 PA SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
April 2, 2025 AR SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
March 31, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 31, 2025 TX SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 31, 2025 CO SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 28, 2025 GA HB 86 Establishes New Structure for State Judge Salaries (46 - 2)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 28, 2025 GA HB 85 Establishes Guidelines for Local Supplements for State Superior Court Judges Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 2)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 84 Prohibits Courts from Deferring to a State Agency's Interpretation When Dealing With Ambiguity in Statute Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 26, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 26, 2025 KS HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
March 26, 2025 OK SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 26, 2025 WV SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 25, 2025 National PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 44)
March 25, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
March 25, 2025 National PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 25)
March 25, 2025 OR SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 25, 2025 OK SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
March 25, 2025 IA SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
March 24, 2025 NJ S 2947 Prohibits Monetary Compensation for Mail-in Ballot Messengers or Bearers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 24, 2025 NJ S 3850 Authorizes County Boards of Elections to Extend the Distance Within Which Electioneering is Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
4/08 PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/08 SB 520 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
4/08 SB 951 Prohibits Management Services Organizations From Exerting Control Over Medical Practices and Restricts Certain Contractual Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/07 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/07 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
4/07 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
4/07 HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/07 HB 1424 Appropriates State Funding to Assist Laid-Off Federal Workers and Expands Attorney General Power to Pursue Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 SF 303 Prohibits County Boards of Supervisors and City Councils from Placing Additional Restrictions on Fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, and December 31st Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/05 SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/04 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
4/04 HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 1)
4/04 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
4/04 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
4/04 HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/03 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. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
4/03 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/02 PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
4/02 PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/02 SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/02 SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/01 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
3/31 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/31 SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/31 SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/28 HB 86 Establishes New Structure for State Judge Salaries (46 - 2)
3/28 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/28 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
3/28 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/28 HB 85 Establishes Guidelines for Local Supplements for State Superior Court Judges Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 2)
3/27 SB 84 Prohibits Courts from Deferring to a State Agency's Interpretation When Dealing With Ambiguity in Statute Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/27 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
3/27 SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/26 SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
3/26 PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/26 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/26 HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/26 PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
3/26 SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/26 SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/25 PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
3/25 PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 44)
3/25 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
3/25 PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
3/25 PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
3/25 PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 25)
3/25 SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/25 SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
3/25 SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/24 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
3/24 PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
3/24 S 2947 Prohibits Monetary Compensation for Mail-in Ballot Messengers or Bearers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/24 S 3850 Authorizes County Boards of Elections to Extend the Distance Within Which Electioneering is Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)

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