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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 16, 2026 National H Con Res 40 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Joint Resolution Failed - House (213 - 214)
March 14, 2026 VA HB 1377 Establishes a Task Force to Examine Higher Education at the Virginia Military Institute Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 29)
Jan. 28, 2026 IN HB 1343 Authorizes the Indiana National Guard to Establish a Military Police Force Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Dec. 17, 2025 National H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
Nov. 5, 2025 OH HB 434 Exempts Individuals With Foreign Drivers Licenses Working With the Military From Certain Drivers Education Requirements, and Makes Various Other Programmatic Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 3)
Oct. 1, 2025 MI HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
Aug. 4, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
July 23, 2025 National HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
July 18, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
June 30, 2025 PA HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (181 - 22)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
June 25, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
June 12, 2025 RI S 75 Establishes Local VIN Check Authority and Waives Fees for Veterans and Military Members Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 1)
May 29, 2025 OK HB 2769 Amends Leadership Requirements and Duties for Positions Within the Oklahoma National Guard Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 6)
May 5, 2025 National HR 530 ACES Act Bill Passed - House (376 - 5)
April 15, 2025 NC HB 373 Authorizes the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to Discount Tuition for Students with Military or Employer Tuition Assistance Bill Passed - House (112 - 1)
March 10, 2025 WA HB 1321 Prohibits Any Federal Armed Forces from Entering the State Without Governor Authority Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
May 15, 2024 AK HB 155 Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 3)
May 10, 2024 AK SB 154 Establishes the Military and Veteran Family Help Desk in the Department of military and Veteran's Affairs Bill Passed - House (37 - 3)
April 29, 2024 KS SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 39)
Feb. 26, 2024 SD HB 1061 Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM HB 298 Establishes a Service Members Suicide Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SB 166 Amends Punitive Articles for the Wisconsin Code of Military Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 5)
Feb. 24, 2022 WY HB 16 Expands Eligibility for the Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
June 16, 2021 RI H 6004 Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2021 VA HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 45)
Jan. 21, 2021 MT HB 111 Exempts Military Pensions from the State Income Tax Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Dec. 8, 2020 National HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78)
July 31, 2020 National HR 7617 Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 197)
July 21, 2020 National HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
Nov. 12, 2019 National HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
March 28, 2019 ND SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
March 28, 2019 National H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
Feb. 18, 2019 ND HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
July 27, 2017 National HR 3219 Make America Secure Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 192)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156)
May 15, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (269 - 151)
May 14, 2014 OK HB 3143 Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42)
Oct. 3, 2013 National HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
July 24, 2013 National HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
July 23, 2013 National H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
March 11, 2013 KY SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Dec. 20, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
July 19, 2012 National H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
May 18, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Bill Passed - House (299 - 120)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/16 H Con Res 40 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Joint Resolution Failed - House (213 - 214)
3/14 HB 1377 Establishes a Task Force to Examine Higher Education at the Virginia Military Institute Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 29)
1/28 HB 1343 Authorizes the Indiana National Guard to Establish a Military Police Force Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
12/17 H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
11/05 HB 434 Exempts Individuals With Foreign Drivers Licenses Working With the Military From Certain Drivers Education Requirements, and Makes Various Other Programmatic Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 3)
10/01 HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
8/04 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
7/23 HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
7/18 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
6/30 HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (181 - 22)
6/30 S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
6/25 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
6/12 S 75 Establishes Local VIN Check Authority and Waives Fees for Veterans and Military Members Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 1)
5/29 HB 2769 Amends Leadership Requirements and Duties for Positions Within the Oklahoma National Guard Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 6)
5/05 HR 530 ACES Act Bill Passed - House (376 - 5)
4/15 HB 373 Authorizes the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to Discount Tuition for Students with Military or Employer Tuition Assistance Bill Passed - House (112 - 1)
3/10 HB 1321 Prohibits Any Federal Armed Forces from Entering the State Without Governor Authority Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
2/04 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
1/30 HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
1/30 HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
5/15 HB 155 Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 3)
5/10 SB 154 Establishes the Military and Veteran Family Help Desk in the Department of military and Veteran's Affairs Bill Passed - House (37 - 3)
4/29 SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 39)
2/26 HB 1061 Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
2/10 HB 298 Establishes a Service Members Suicide Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
11/09 SB 166 Amends Punitive Articles for the Wisconsin Code of Military Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 5)
2/24 HB 16 Expands Eligibility for the Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
6/16 H 6004 Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
2/24 HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 45)
1/21 HB 111 Exempts Military Pensions from the State Income Tax Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
12/08 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78)
7/31 HR 7617 Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 197)
7/21 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
3/28 SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
3/28 H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
2/18 HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
7/27 HR 3219 Make America Secure Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 192)
10/01 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156)
5/15 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (269 - 151)
5/14 HB 3143 Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42)
10/03 HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
7/24 HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
7/23 H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
3/11 SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
12/20 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
7/19 H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
5/18 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Bill Passed - House (299 - 120)

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