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. 9, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 12, 2020 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 9, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 24, 2020 MI SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
Nov. 21, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
Nov. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
May 16, 2019 National PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
May 8, 2019 NY S 4572 Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 23)
April 27, 2019 IA SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 11, 2019 National PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
March 14, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 6, 2019 OK SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
Feb. 12, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
July 11, 2018 National PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)
July 10, 2018 National PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
April 26, 2018 OK HB 3036 Authorizes the Governor power to appoint the State Commissioner of Health Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 11)
March 9, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
May 2, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
May 2, 2017 WI SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 1, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
April 27, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
April 26, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
Feb. 17, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/09 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
7/15 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/09 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/24 SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
11/21 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
11/05 SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
5/16 PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
5/08 S 4572 Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 23)
4/27 SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/11 PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
3/14 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
3/06 SB 456 Authorizes the Governor to Hire and set the Salary for the Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/06 SB 457 Authorizes the Governor to Remove Heads of Certain State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
2/14 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
2/12 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
7/11 PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)
7/10 PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
4/26 HB 3036 Authorizes the Governor power to appoint the State Commissioner of Health Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 11)
3/09 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
5/02 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
5/02 SB 15 Expands Legislature's Regulatory Review Powers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/01 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
4/27 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
4/26 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
2/17 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)

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