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
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 906 Requires Compensation for Student Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 2319 Establishes the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA AB 1880 Requires Parents of Minors in Monetized Media Content Online Put 15% of Earnings in a Trust Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 1, 2024 National HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 44)
July 30, 2024 MA H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2024 MA H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 115 Amends and Simplifies Heir Estates Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 10, 2024 National S 4554 Reproductive Freedom for Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 44)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 28, 2024 DE HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 28, 2024 NJ S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 27, 2024 CA SB 1524 Prohibits Businesses from Applying Hidden Fees and Unlawful Advertising to Consumers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 27, 2024 NC SB 527 Authorizes the Sale of To-Go Alcoholic Beverages and Defines Mixed Alcoholic Beverages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 26, 2024 DE HB 190 Amends Current Laws Regarding Spay-Neuter Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
June 26, 2024 MI SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 25, 2024 DE HB 355 Establishes Legal Protections for Financial Institutions for Providing Services to Cannabis Companies Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 24, 2024 NC HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
June 20, 2024 NC HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
June 20, 2024 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 20, 2024 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 20, 2024 MI SB 928 Expands Medicaid Coverage of Birth Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 20, 2024 MI SB 926 Expands Michigan's Gaming and Gambling Prevention Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 20, 2024 MI SB 932 Increases Access to the State's Family Independence Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 20, 2024 MI SB 934 Extends Michigan's Gaming and Gambling Prevention Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 20, 2024 MI SB 933 Appropriates Expenditures to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 18, 2024 DE HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
June 18, 2024 KS HB 2001 Expands a State Incentive Program to Lure Chiefs and Royals Away from Missouri Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 17, 2024 VT H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
June 17, 2024 VT H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 15, 2024 AZ HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
June 15, 2024 AZ HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
June 13, 2024 NH HB 1292 Amends State Sanctuary City Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 13, 2024 NH HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
June 13, 2024 CA AB 1955 Prohibits School Districts From Mandating Parental Notification of Student Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 13, 2024 RI H 8244 Increases and Doubles the Credit Limit for Gamblers and Authorizes Bally's to Renegotiate Debt Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 13, 2024 National S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
June 13, 2024 National S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
June 13, 2024 DE SB 300 Requires Pregnancy Centers in the State of Delaware to Provide Notice if the Center is not Licensed Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
June 13, 2024 RI H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 11, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 11, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 7, 2024 NY A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
June 7, 2024 NY S 9673 Amends Procedures for Obtaining a Downtown Casino License and the Reviewing of Applications Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
June 6, 2024 RI S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 RI S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 RI H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
June 6, 2024 NY S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
June 5, 2024 NY A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
June 5, 2024 National S 4381 Right to Contraception Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 39)
June 4, 2024 NY A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/28 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
8/28 SB 906 Requires Compensation for Student Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/28 AB 2319 Establishes the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
8/27 AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/27 AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/27 AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/27 AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/27 AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/26 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/26 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/26 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/19 AB 1880 Requires Parents of Minors in Monetized Media Content Online Put 15% of Earnings in a Trust Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/19 AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/12 AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/12 AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/01 HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 44)
7/30 H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
7/11 HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 HB 115 Amends and Simplifies Heir Estates Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/10 S 4554 Reproductive Freedom for Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 44)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/28 HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/28 S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/27 SB 1524 Prohibits Businesses from Applying Hidden Fees and Unlawful Advertising to Consumers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/27 SB 527 Authorizes the Sale of To-Go Alcoholic Beverages and Defines Mixed Alcoholic Beverages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
6/27 HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/27 HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/26 HB 190 Amends Current Laws Regarding Spay-Neuter Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
6/26 SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/25 HB 355 Establishes Legal Protections for Financial Institutions for Providing Services to Cannabis Companies Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/24 HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
6/20 HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
6/20 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/20 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/20 SB 928 Expands Medicaid Coverage of Birth Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/20 SB 926 Expands Michigan's Gaming and Gambling Prevention Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/20 SB 932 Increases Access to the State's Family Independence Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/20 SB 934 Extends Michigan's Gaming and Gambling Prevention Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/20 SB 933 Appropriates Expenditures to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/18 HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
6/18 HB 2001 Expands a State Incentive Program to Lure Chiefs and Royals Away from Missouri Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/17 H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
6/17 H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/15 HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
6/15 HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
6/13 HB 1292 Amends State Sanctuary City Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/13 HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
6/13 AB 1955 Prohibits School Districts From Mandating Parental Notification of Student Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/13 H 8244 Increases and Doubles the Credit Limit for Gamblers and Authorizes Bally's to Renegotiate Debt Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/13 S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
6/13 S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
6/13 SB 300 Requires Pregnancy Centers in the State of Delaware to Provide Notice if the Center is not Licensed Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
6/13 H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
6/13 S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/11 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/11 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/10 SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/07 A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
6/07 S 9673 Amends Procedures for Obtaining a Downtown Casino License and the Reviewing of Applications Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
6/06 S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
6/06 S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
6/06 S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
6/05 A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
6/05 S 4381 Right to Contraception Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 39)
6/04 A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)

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