Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
June 7, 2021 OR HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 7, 2021 NY S 2523 Amends Existing Law to Decriminalize Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
June 7, 2021 NY S 6498 Prohibits the Use of Restrains on Children Under the Age of 21 Appearing Before Family Court Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 4, 2021 CT SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
June 3, 2021 NY A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 3, 2021 NY A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 3, 2021 OR SB 5 Requires Compensating College Athletes for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 2, 2021 NY S 1048 Increases Potential Liability for Gun Manufacturers if the Firearm was Harmfully Misused Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 2, 2021 NY S 14A Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
June 1, 2021 RI S 40 Establishes a Twenty Year Contract with Two Major Gambling Companies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 31, 2021 NV AB 280 Requires Gender-Neutral Restrooms Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 30, 2021 IL SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
May 28, 2021 TX SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 28, 2021 IL SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 28, 2021 IL SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 27, 2021 LA HB 430 Amends the Police Officer's Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 26, 2021 NV SB 452 Prohibits Guns in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 26, 2021 NV SB 452 Prohibits Guns in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 25, 2021 NY A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
May 25, 2021 MI SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 24, 2021 OR SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 21, 2021 TX HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 21, 2021 NV AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 20, 2021 DE HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 18, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
May 18, 2021 TX SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 17, 2021 IA SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
May 13, 2021 DE SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
May 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 11, 2021 MO HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/07 HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/07 S 2523 Amends Existing Law to Decriminalize Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
6/07 S 6498 Prohibits the Use of Restrains on Children Under the Age of 21 Appearing Before Family Court Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/04 SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
6/03 A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/03 A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/03 SB 5 Requires Compensating College Athletes for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/02 S 1048 Increases Potential Liability for Gun Manufacturers if the Firearm was Harmfully Misused Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/02 S 14A Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/02 SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/01 SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
6/01 S 40 Establishes a Twenty Year Contract with Two Major Gambling Companies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
6/01 SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/01 SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/01 SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/31 AB 280 Requires Gender-Neutral Restrooms Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/30 SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
5/28 SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/28 SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/28 SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/27 HB 430 Amends the Police Officer's Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/26 SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/26 SB 452 Prohibits Guns in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/26 SB 452 Prohibits Guns in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
5/26 SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/25 A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
5/25 SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/24 HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/24 HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/24 SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
5/22 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/22 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/21 HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/21 AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/20 HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/18 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
5/18 SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/18 SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/17 SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/11 HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)

arrow_upward