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. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA SB 109 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 26, 2021 WI SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Jan. 22, 2021 National PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
Jan. 21, 2021 TN SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 21, 2021 DE SB 33 Amends State Clean Energy Standards to Require Renewables Generate 40 Percent of Electricity by 2035 Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 93 Transfers Emergency COVID-19 Relief Funds for Childcare Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 87 Expands COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Jan. 14, 2021 KS SB 14 Extends the COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
Jan. 12, 2021 WI AB 1 Expands State Medicaid to Ensure Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations (29 - 2)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 3360 Authorizes Prejudgment Interest to be Charged in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 6, 2021 MS HB 1 Repeals the State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Jan. 4, 2021 MA S 2995 Amends State Climate Goals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
Dec. 28, 2020 NY S 9114 Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 75 Requires a Resolution or Notice if the Government Contests Property Values Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Dec. 21, 2020 National HR 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
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 1253 Establishes a Committee to Suspend Public Health Orders Between Sessions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2020 MI HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 1135 Amends Property Tax Law to Exempt Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Dec. 11, 2020 National HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 13)
Dec. 2, 2020 MO HB 14 Appropriates Emergency Spending for COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Nov. 24, 2020 NM HB 1 Appropriates $330 Million in Coronavirus Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ S 2484 Establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Oct. 29, 2020 NJ S 2708 Requires Certain Provisions in State Contracts for Delivery of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2020 MI SB 1094 Prohibits Nursing Homes from Admitting or Retaining Coronavirus Positive Individuals for Care Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Oct. 6, 2020 PA SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 1, 2020 CT HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Sept. 30, 2020 MI HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5106 Requires Landlords to Establish Payment Plans for Tenants Prior to Eviction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 5340 Amends the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to Allow Access to Private Data (22 - 15)
Sept. 24, 2020 NJ S 2712 Establishes Minimum Direct Care Staff-to-Resident Ratios in Nursing Homes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Sept. 23, 2020 OH SB 311 Prohibits the Department of Health from Issuing Certain Mandatory Quarantine Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2020 MI SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
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. 28, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4476 Establishes a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/27 SB 109 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
1/26 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/26 SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
1/22 PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
1/21 SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/21 SB 33 Amends State Clean Energy Standards to Require Renewables Generate 40 Percent of Electricity by 2035 Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
1/21 SB 93 Transfers Emergency COVID-19 Relief Funds for Childcare Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
1/21 SB 87 Expands COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
1/14 SB 14 Extends the COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
1/12 AB 1 Expands State Medicaid to Ensure Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations (29 - 2)
1/11 HB 3360 Authorizes Prejudgment Interest to be Charged in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
1/11 HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
1/11 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/06 HB 1 Repeals the State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
1/04 S 2995 Amends State Climate Goals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
12/28 S 9114 Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
12/22 HB 75 Requires a Resolution or Notice if the Government Contests Property Values Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
12/22 HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
12/21 HR 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/21 HB 4401 Requires Distribution of Unpaid Rent During State of Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
12/18 SB 1253 Establishes a Committee to Suspend Public Health Orders Between Sessions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/18 HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
12/17 A 1135 Amends Property Tax Law to Exempt Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
12/11 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 13)
12/02 HB 14 Appropriates Emergency Spending for COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
12/02 SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
11/24 HB 1 Appropriates $330 Million in Coronavirus Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
11/20 HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
11/19 HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
11/18 SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
11/16 S 2484 Establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
10/29 S 2708 Requires Certain Provisions in State Contracts for Delivery of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
10/22 HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
10/16 HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/08 SB 1094 Prohibits Nursing Homes from Admitting or Retaining Coronavirus Positive Individuals for Care Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
10/07 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
10/06 SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/01 HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
9/30 HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/25 HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/25 HB 5106 Requires Landlords to Establish Payment Plans for Tenants Prior to Eviction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/24 HB 5340 Amends the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to Allow Access to Private Data (22 - 15)
9/24 S 2712 Establishes Minimum Direct Care Staff-to-Resident Ratios in Nursing Homes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
9/23 SB 311 Prohibits the Department of Health from Issuing Certain Mandatory Quarantine Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
9/22 SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
9/10 SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
9/09 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
9/09 HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/31 SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/30 AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/30 AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/30 AB 826 Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/29 AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/28 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/28 AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 4476 Establishes a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
8/27 A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
8/27 A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/27 S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)

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