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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2021 | OR | HB 3178 | Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Keep their Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
| April 14, 2021 | OR | SB 282 | Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| March 30, 2021 | NY | S 1453 | Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9) |
| March 24, 2021 | VT | H 315 | Appropriates $100 Million for COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| March 23, 2021 | IN | HB 1152 | Increases Penalties for Unemployment Application Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| March 15, 2021 | TX | SB 2142 | Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 6, 2021 | National | HR 1319 | American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49) |
| March 1, 2021 | NC | SB 116 | Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | IA | SF 389 | Increases Eligibility Requirements for Public Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | VA | HB 1889 | Extends Eviction Protections for Renters Experiencing Financial Hardship | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | HI | HB 1278 | Reduces the Unemployment Insurance Contribution Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0) |
| Feb. 17, 2021 | IA | SF 252 | Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 8, 2021 | MO | HB 16 | Appropriates $324 Million to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | WA | SB 5061 | Reduces State Unemployment Tax Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | MN | SF 192 | Extends Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates from 2020 to 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 0) |
| Dec. 28, 2020 | NY | S 9114 | Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21) |
| Dec. 21, 2020 | OR | HB 4401 | Requires Distribution of Unpaid Rent During State of Emergencies | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
| Dec. 18, 2020 | MI | SB 748 | Extends Unemployment Benefits Through March | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| Oct. 8, 2020 | MI | SB 886 | Extends COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Until the End of 2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 826 | Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Aug. 29, 2020 | CA | AB 2405 | Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| Aug. 10, 2020 | OR | SB 1701 | Authorizes Unemployment Benefits for Employees Working Less than Full-Time | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| June 26, 2020 | MS | SB 3051 | Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3) |
| June 13, 2020 | CO | SB 20-207 | Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 12, 2020 | OK | HB 2760 | Reduces the Annual Affordable Housing Tax Credits Offered by the State | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20) |
| May 5, 2020 | OK | SB 1073 | Expands Oklahoma's Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 883 | Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| March 11, 2020 | WA | SB 6478 | Reduces Sanctions Related to Noncompliance with TANF Work Requirements for Abuse Survivors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 10, 2020 | IN | HB 1022 | Expands the Definition of Panhandling | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2441 | Increases Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | UT | SB 39 | Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | IA | SF 2272 | Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | VT | S 23 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | KY | SB 30 | Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | NE | LB 329 | Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| June 17, 2019 | OR | HB 3076 | Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| May 29, 2019 | ME | LD 1324 | Establishes Committee for Universal Basic Income System | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 6 | Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Jan. 25, 2018 | AL | SB 92 | Reduces Time Period of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| May 10, 2017 | AZ | HB 2372 | Extends Time Period for Individuals to Receive Government Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 9, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| June 25, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| June 11, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| May 4, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 15, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 14, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | TX | SB 267 | Prohibits Local Regulations that Prohibit Refusal of Tenants Based on Source of Income | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 3, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 2, 2015 | KS | HB 2258 | Amends Social Service Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | UT | SB 164 | Establishes Medicaid Expansion Pilot Program | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| July 28, 2014 | NC | HB 1181 | Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| June 19, 2014 | RI | H 7194A | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 935 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 8, 2014 | NH | HB 1403 | Increases the Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |
| May 1, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| April 30, 2014 | National | S 2223 | Minimum Wage Fairness Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
| April 17, 2014 | ME | LD 1578 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 9, 2014 | MN | HF 2091 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31) |
| April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 2039 | Reduces Lifetime Eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 295 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| April 3, 2014 | MO | SB 673 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| March 31, 2014 | National | HR 4302 | Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| March 31, 2014 | NE | LB 943 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 26, 2014 | CT | SB 32 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2552 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| March 19, 2014 | NE | LB 887 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
| March 13, 2014 | MO | SB 510 | Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| March 12, 2014 | UT | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| March 10, 2014 | OK | SB 1023 | Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 6, 2014 | NH | SB 413 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| March 4, 2014 | HI | SB 2609 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1) |
| March 3, 2014 | WY | HB 1 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |