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
Jan. 29, 2026 IN SB 88 Requires Public Schools to Incorporate Certain Personal Values into Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2026 CA AB 1421 Requires the California Transportation Commission to Research a Fee-Based Tax System for Road Usage Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Jan. 29, 2026 NM SB 37 Requires Evidence-Based Learning Practices for Dual Language Programs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 29, 2026 NM SB 29 Establishes Requirements for a Statewide Mathematics Instruction Framework Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Jan. 28, 2026 VA HB 222 Requires the Board of Health to Govern Public Swimming Pools Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
Jan. 28, 2026 VA HB 222 Requires the Board of Health to Govern Public Swimming Pools Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
Jan. 28, 2026 MS HB 565 Requires Insurance Plans to Cover Biomarker Testing for Cancer Bill Passed - House (116 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2026 NY S 135 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Abortion Care Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2026 SD HJR 5001 Amends the State Constitution to Restrict Eminent Domain Use Bill Passed - House (62 - 5)
Jan. 27, 2026 IN SB 91 Establishes Additional Regulations on Indiana's County Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2026 CA SB 722 Establishes Protections for Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2026 CA SB 722 Establishes Protections for Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 22, 2026 AL SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Jan. 22, 2026 WI AB 472 Amends State Law Regarding Nuclear Energy Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
Jan. 21, 2026 National H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
Jan. 20, 2026 KY SB 28 Prohibits the Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Jan. 20, 2026 WI AB 840 Requires AI Data Centers to Pay for Requested Electric Infrastructure Improvements and Limits Water Consumption Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Jan. 16, 2026 KY SB 7 Authorizes Certain Local Officials to Perform Driver's License Renewal and Other Identification Services Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
Jan. 15, 2026 MS HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
Jan. 15, 2026 FL HB 289 Authorizes Parents to File Wrongful Death Lawsuits Following the Loss of a Fetus Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
Jan. 15, 2026 FL HB 6003 Repeals Certain Restrictions on Lawsuits for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
Jan. 13, 2026 National S J Res 84 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Jan. 13, 2026 National HR 4593 Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
Jan. 12, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
Jan. 9, 2026 National HR 5184 To authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development recommendations for changes to preemptive energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured homes Bill Passed - House (263 - 147)
Jan. 9, 2026 National HR 5184 To authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development recommendations for changes to preemptive energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured homes Bill Passed - House (263 - 147)
Jan. 8, 2026 National S J Res 98 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
Jan. 8, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (397 - 28)
Jan. 7, 2026 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2001 Increases Teacher Salaries by $2,000 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2003 Amends Regulations Regarding Retired Teachers' Benefits and Return-to-Work Authorizations Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 2)
Jan. 6, 2026 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 5, 2026 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)
Dec. 18, 2025 MI SB 158 Establishes Regulations to Prevent Scalping of Event Tickets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Dec. 18, 2025 MI HB 4262 Establishes a $5,000 Civil Penalty for Circumventing Ticket Scalping Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 3)
Dec. 18, 2025 MI HB 4262 Establishes a $5,000 Civil Penalty for Circumventing Ticket Scalping Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Dec. 18, 2025 National S J Res 82 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
Dec. 18, 2025 National HR 498 Do No Harm in Medicaid Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 201)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (67 - 30)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
Dec. 17, 2025 National HR 6703 Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
Dec. 17, 2025 National H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
Dec. 17, 2025 National HR 3616 Reliable Power Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/29 SB 88 Requires Public Schools to Incorporate Certain Personal Values into Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/29 AB 1421 Requires the California Transportation Commission to Research a Fee-Based Tax System for Road Usage Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
1/29 SB 37 Requires Evidence-Based Learning Practices for Dual Language Programs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/29 SB 29 Establishes Requirements for a Statewide Mathematics Instruction Framework Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
1/28 HB 222 Requires the Board of Health to Govern Public Swimming Pools Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
1/28 HB 222 Requires the Board of Health to Govern Public Swimming Pools Bill Passed - House (87 - 10)
1/28 HB 565 Requires Insurance Plans to Cover Biomarker Testing for Cancer Bill Passed - House (116 - 0)
1/27 S 135 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Abortion Care Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
1/27 HJR 5001 Amends the State Constitution to Restrict Eminent Domain Use Bill Passed - House (62 - 5)
1/27 SB 91 Establishes Additional Regulations on Indiana's County Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
1/26 SB 722 Establishes Protections for Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/26 SB 722 Establishes Protections for Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/22 SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
1/22 AB 472 Amends State Law Regarding Nuclear Energy Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
1/21 H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
1/20 SB 28 Prohibits the Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
1/20 AB 840 Requires AI Data Centers to Pay for Requested Electric Infrastructure Improvements and Limits Water Consumption Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
1/16 SB 7 Authorizes Certain Local Officials to Perform Driver's License Renewal and Other Identification Services Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
1/15 HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
1/15 HB 289 Authorizes Parents to File Wrongful Death Lawsuits Following the Loss of a Fetus Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
1/15 HB 6003 Repeals Certain Restrictions on Lawsuits for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
1/13 S J Res 84 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
1/13 HR 4593 Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
1/12 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
1/09 HR 5184 To authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development recommendations for changes to preemptive energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured homes Bill Passed - House (263 - 147)
1/09 HR 5184 To authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development recommendations for changes to preemptive energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured homes Bill Passed - House (263 - 147)
1/08 S J Res 98 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
1/08 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (397 - 28)
1/07 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
1/07 SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
1/07 SB 2001 Increases Teacher Salaries by $2,000 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
1/07 SB 2003 Amends Regulations Regarding Retired Teachers' Benefits and Return-to-Work Authorizations Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 2)
1/06 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/05 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)
12/18 SB 158 Establishes Regulations to Prevent Scalping of Event Tickets Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
12/18 HB 4262 Establishes a $5,000 Civil Penalty for Circumventing Ticket Scalping Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 3)
12/18 HB 4262 Establishes a $5,000 Civil Penalty for Circumventing Ticket Scalping Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
12/18 S J Res 82 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
12/18 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
12/18 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
12/18 HR 498 Do No Harm in Medicaid Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 201)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
12/17 PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (67 - 30)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
12/17 PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
12/17 HR 6703 Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
12/17 H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
12/17 HR 3616 Reliable Power Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)

arrow_upward