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
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
Jan. 18, 2024 WI AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
Jan. 18, 2024 IN HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
Jan. 17, 2024 National H Res 957 Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies. Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
Jan. 17, 2024 SC H 4624 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (82 - 23)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
Jan. 16, 2024 UT HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
Jan. 11, 2024 DE SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
Jan. 11, 2024 VT H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
Jan. 10, 2024 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 28)
Jan. 10, 2024 MA H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
Jan. 10, 2024 VT H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Bill Passed - House (95 - 35)
Jan. 8, 2024 WA HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Jan. 8, 2024 NJ S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
Jan. 4, 2024 NH HB 396 Authorizes Classification of Individuals Based on Biological Sex "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (192 - 184)
Jan. 4, 2024 NH HB 368 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (186 - 188)
Jan. 4, 2024 NH HB 619 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care Until a Minor Turns 18 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 175)
Dec. 13, 2023 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 27)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 863 Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
Dec. 13, 2023 OH HB 56 Prohibits Various Forms of Stunt Driving and Enforces Stricter Penalties from Law Enforcement for Reckless Driving Bill Passed - House (84 - 6)
Dec. 12, 2023 National HR 4531 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (386 - 37)
Dec. 5, 2023 National H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
Nov. 30, 2023 National HR 5283 Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 203)
Nov. 29, 2023 OH HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
Nov. 14, 2023 TX SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
Nov. 14, 2023 TX SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
Nov. 9, 2023 IL HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 441 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Commercial Fishing Industry Bill Passed - House (87 - 20)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5214 Authorizes Alleged or Intended Parents of Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy to Sign Legally Binding Acknowledgements of Parentage Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 2, 2023 National H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4956 Repeals and Expunges Individual Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4951 Repeals Previously Established Felony Criminal Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Oct. 31, 2023 MI HB 4524 Amends the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to Allow Offenders to Participate if Approved by Judge, Prosecutor, and Victim Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
Oct. 31, 2023 MI HB 4948 Requires Juvenile Records from Prospective Tenants Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
Oct. 26, 2023 TX SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
Oct. 26, 2023 TX SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 13, 2023 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Oct. 13, 2023 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Oct. 12, 2023 WI AB 465 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Oct. 12, 2023 WI AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Sept. 29, 2023 National HR 5525 Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024 Bill Failed - House (198 - 232)
Sept. 27, 2023 MI HB 4568 Authorizes Motor Vehicle Hiring to Transport Voters to Polls Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Sept. 19, 2023 NC SB 189 Amends Legal Classification and Penalties for Crimes Related to Fentanyl Distribution Bill Passed - House (81 - 20)
Sept. 19, 2023 NC SB 189 Amends Legal Classification and Penalties for Crimes Related to Fentanyl Distribution Bill Passed - House (81 - 20)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/18 HR 6914 Pregnant Students' Rights Act Bill Passed - House (212 - 207)
1/18 AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/18 HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
1/18 HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
1/18 HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
1/17 H Res 957 Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies. Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
1/17 H 4624 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (82 - 23)
1/16 HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
1/16 HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
1/16 HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
1/11 SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
1/11 H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
1/10 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 28)
1/10 H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
1/10 H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Bill Passed - House (95 - 35)
1/08 HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
1/08 S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
1/04 HB 396 Authorizes Classification of Individuals Based on Biological Sex "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (192 - 184)
1/04 HB 368 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (186 - 188)
1/04 HB 619 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care Until a Minor Turns 18 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 175)
12/13 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 27)
12/13 HB 863 Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85)
12/13 SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
12/13 SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
12/13 H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
12/13 HB 56 Prohibits Various Forms of Stunt Driving and Enforces Stricter Penalties from Law Enforcement for Reckless Driving Bill Passed - House (84 - 6)
12/12 HR 4531 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (386 - 37)
12/05 H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
11/30 HR 5283 Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 203)
11/29 HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
11/14 SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
11/14 SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
11/09 HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
11/09 SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
11/09 SB 441 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Commercial Fishing Industry Bill Passed - House (87 - 20)
11/09 HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5214 Authorizes Alleged or Intended Parents of Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy to Sign Legally Binding Acknowledgements of Parentage Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/07 AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/02 H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
11/01 SB 474 Repeals Several Medically Unnecessary Abortion and Reproductive Health Care Restrictions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4949 Establishes Rights to Reproductive Freedoms Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4956 Repeals and Expunges Individual Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4953 Amends and Revises Previous State Jurisdiction Policies to Reflect Repealed Abortion Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4951 Repeals Previously Established Felony Criminal Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
10/31 HB 4524 Amends the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to Allow Offenders to Participate if Approved by Judge, Prosecutor, and Victim Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
10/31 HB 4948 Requires Juvenile Records from Prospective Tenants Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
10/26 SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
10/26 SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
10/18 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/18 H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/18 H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/13 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
10/13 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
10/12 AB 465 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
10/12 AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
9/29 HR 5525 Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024 Bill Failed - House (198 - 232)
9/27 HB 4568 Authorizes Motor Vehicle Hiring to Transport Voters to Polls Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
9/19 SB 189 Amends Legal Classification and Penalties for Crimes Related to Fentanyl Distribution Bill Passed - House (81 - 20)
9/19 SB 189 Amends Legal Classification and Penalties for Crimes Related to Fentanyl Distribution Bill Passed - House (81 - 20)
9/14 AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
9/14 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
9/14 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
9/13 SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)

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