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
March 2, 2020 AK SB 115 Increases the State Highway Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2020 National HR 2339 Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 195)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2020 TN SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2020 VA HB 119 Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2020 MA H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 27, 2020 AL SJR 7 Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (67 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA SB 1 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2020 OK SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 UT SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2020 NY A 7331 Requires Housing Providers to Make Reasonable Accommodations for the Use of an Animal to Alleviate Symptoms of a Disability Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2020 SD HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2020 NJ A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2020 WV SB 837 Establishes Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
Feb. 20, 2020 IN SB 255 Authorizes Insulin to Patients without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (88 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2020 WI AB 869 Extends Bar Hours During Democratic National Convention Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2020 KY HB 136 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Feb. 19, 2020 WV HB 4543 Establishes an Insulin Price Cap Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2020 OR HB 4109 Prohibits Aerial Pesticide Applications of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
Feb. 19, 2020 OR HB 4109 Prohibits Aerial Pesticide Applications of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
Feb. 18, 2020 OK HB 1230 Increases Transparency on State-Funded Scholarships for Private Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2020 NM SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - House (40 - 28)
Feb. 18, 2020 AZ HB 2259 Establishes a Victims of Communism Memorial Day Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2020 WA SB 6261 Expands Farm Labor Contractor System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2020 AZ HB 2732 Increases Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by $8 Million Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2020 AZ HB 2608 Establishes Used Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (50 - 10)
Feb. 17, 2020 AZ HB 2030 Limits the Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Laws by the Arizona Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2020 OR HJR 202 Authorizes a Ballot Referendum Vote on Universal Health Care Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2020 NM SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2020 OR HB 4067 Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2020 AZ HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2020 NH HB 1700 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (177 - 128)
Feb. 13, 2020 National S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2020 WA HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2020 AZ HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 12, 2020 AZ SB 1160 Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 12, 2020 OH HB 308 Establishes Workers' Compensation for First Responders with PTSD Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2020 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2020 National HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
Feb. 7, 2020 KY SB 8 Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (78 - 8)
Feb. 6, 2020 National H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 SD HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 5, 2020 VA HB 874 Prohibits Handheld Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/02 SB 115 Increases the State Highway Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 5)
2/28 HR 2339 Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 195)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/27 SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
2/27 HB 119 Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/27 H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/27 SJR 7 Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (67 - 19)
2/26 SB 1 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
2/26 SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
2/26 SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
2/25 A 7331 Requires Housing Providers to Make Reasonable Accommodations for the Use of an Animal to Alleviate Symptoms of a Disability Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
2/24 HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
2/24 A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
2/24 SB 837 Establishes Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/20 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
2/20 SB 255 Authorizes Insulin to Patients without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (88 - 0)
2/20 AB 869 Extends Bar Hours During Democratic National Convention Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/20 HB 136 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
2/19 HB 4543 Establishes an Insulin Price Cap Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
2/19 HB 4109 Prohibits Aerial Pesticide Applications of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
2/19 HB 4109 Prohibits Aerial Pesticide Applications of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
2/18 HB 1230 Increases Transparency on State-Funded Scholarships for Private Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 17)
2/18 SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - House (40 - 28)
2/18 HB 2259 Establishes a Victims of Communism Memorial Day Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
2/18 SB 6261 Expands Farm Labor Contractor System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/18 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
2/18 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
2/18 HB 2732 Increases Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by $8 Million Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
2/18 HB 2608 Establishes Used Needle Exchange Program Bill Passed - House (50 - 10)
2/17 HB 2030 Limits the Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Laws by the Arizona Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/17 HJR 202 Authorizes a Ballot Referendum Vote on Universal Health Care Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/15 SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/14 HB 4067 Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
2/13 HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/13 HB 1700 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (177 - 128)
2/13 S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45)
2/13 HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
2/12 HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/12 SB 1160 Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/12 HB 308 Establishes Workers' Compensation for First Responders with PTSD Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
2/11 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/11 SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/11 HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
2/07 SB 8 Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (78 - 8)
2/06 H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
2/06 HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/06 HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/05 HB 874 Prohibits Handheld Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/03 HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)

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