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. 30, 2025 IL HB 1836 Establishes an Automatic System for the Sealing of Records for Certain Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 26)
Oct. 29, 2025 IL HB 1836 Establishes an Automatic System for the Sealing of Records for Certain Criminal Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
Oct. 29, 2025 National S J Res 69 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California" Motion Rejected - Senate (25 - 72)
Oct. 28, 2025 PA SB 111 Authorizes Out-of-State Residents to Work in Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2025 PA SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
Oct. 22, 2025 OH SB 56 Amends and Modifies Cannabis Regulations and Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - House (87 - 8)
Oct. 22, 2025 MA H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 276 Increases Fees for Fishing and Hunting Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 277 Appropriates Annually a Portion of the Revenue from the State Sales Tax to the Game and Fish Protection Account Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Oct. 20, 2025 PA SB 73 Requires Confidentiality of the Personal Information of Lottery Prizewinners Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 168 Authorizes Felony Fraud Claims Related to Unemployment to be Prosecuted up to 8 Years After a Crime was Committed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 8, 2025 OH SB 137 Requires Hospitals to Provide Overdose Reversal Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Bill Passed - House (202 - 1)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 18)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Oct. 1, 2025 PA HB 1866 Prohibits the Possession and Use of Machine Gun Conversion Devices Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Oct. 1, 2025 PA HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
Oct. 1, 2025 PA HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
Sept. 30, 2025 MI HB 4695 Establishes Additional Powers for Recreational Authorities Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1593 Expands Background Check Requirements for Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1099 Prohibits the Use and Distribution of Ghost Guns Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Sept. 30, 2025 PA HB 1859 Establishes Extreme Risk Protections to Authorize Firearms to be Taken From Individuals in Crisis Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
Sept. 29, 2025 PA HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC SB 13 Increases the Penalty for Acts of Violence that are Politically Motivated Bill Passed - House (105 - 6)
Sept. 23, 2025 SD SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
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 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 22, 2025 NC HB 192 Requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to Disenroll Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid Provider Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Sept. 19, 2025 National H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
Sept. 18, 2025 MI SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Sept. 18, 2025 MI SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
Sept. 17, 2025 National HR 5143 District of Columbia Policing Protection Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 4922 DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 179)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4664 Increases the Penalty for Blocking a Highway During a Protest Bill Passed - House (61 - 42)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4716 Authorizes a Wider Range of Offenses to Allow Increased Punishment for Fraud Offenders Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4717 Establishes Another Tool or Option for Law Enforcement to Penalize Those Involved in Insurance Fraud Schemes Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4718 Requires Insurers to Report Likely Fraud to DIFS Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4719 Authorizes Civil Fines in Addition to Criminal Penalties to Deter Fraud Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4714 Authorizes New Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 715 Increases Protections Against Antisemitism and Other Forms of Discrimination in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 0)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/30 HB 1836 Establishes an Automatic System for the Sealing of Records for Certain Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 26)
10/29 HB 1836 Establishes an Automatic System for the Sealing of Records for Certain Criminal Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
10/29 S J Res 69 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California" Motion Rejected - Senate (25 - 72)
10/28 SB 111 Authorizes Out-of-State Residents to Work in Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/22 SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
10/22 SB 56 Amends and Modifies Cannabis Regulations and Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - House (87 - 8)
10/22 H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
10/21 SB 276 Increases Fees for Fishing and Hunting Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
10/21 SB 277 Appropriates Annually a Portion of the Revenue from the State Sales Tax to the Game and Fish Protection Account Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
10/20 SB 73 Requires Confidentiality of the Personal Information of Lottery Prizewinners Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/16 S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/14 AB 168 Authorizes Felony Fraud Claims Related to Unemployment to be Prosecuted up to 8 Years After a Crime was Committed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/08 SB 137 Requires Hospitals to Provide Overdose Reversal Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
10/07 SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Bill Passed - House (202 - 1)
10/07 HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/01 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 18)
10/01 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
10/01 HB 1866 Prohibits the Possession and Use of Machine Gun Conversion Devices Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
10/01 HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
10/01 HB 102 Classifies Harassment of a Sports Official as a Third Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (137 - 66)
9/30 HB 4695 Establishes Additional Powers for Recreational Authorities Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
9/30 HB 1593 Expands Background Check Requirements for Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
9/30 HB 1099 Prohibits the Use and Distribution of Ghost Guns Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
9/30 HB 1859 Establishes Extreme Risk Protections to Authorize Firearms to be Taken From Individuals in Crisis Bill Failed - House (101 - 102)
9/29 HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
9/23 HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
9/23 SB 13 Increases the Penalty for Acts of Violence that are Politically Motivated Bill Passed - House (105 - 6)
9/23 SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
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 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/22 HB 192 Requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to Disenroll Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid Provider Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
9/19 H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
9/18 SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
9/18 SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
9/17 H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
9/17 HR 5143 District of Columbia Policing Protection Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
9/16 HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
9/16 HR 4922 DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 179)
9/16 HB 4664 Increases the Penalty for Blocking a Highway During a Protest Bill Passed - House (61 - 42)
9/16 HB 4716 Authorizes a Wider Range of Offenses to Allow Increased Punishment for Fraud Offenders Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4717 Establishes Another Tool or Option for Law Enforcement to Penalize Those Involved in Insurance Fraud Schemes Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4718 Requires Insurers to Report Likely Fraud to DIFS Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
9/16 HB 4719 Authorizes Civil Fines in Addition to Criminal Penalties to Deter Fraud Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
9/16 HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4714 Authorizes New Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/13 AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
9/13 AB 715 Increases Protections Against Antisemitism and Other Forms of Discrimination in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 0)
9/13 AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
9/12 SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/12 SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)

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