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 17, 2020 KY HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 17, 2020 ID S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 89 Amends 2019-2020 State Budget to Appropriate Funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 IA SF 2408 Appropriates Funds, Expands Power of Governor, and Waives School Time Requirements in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 0)
March 12, 2020 GA HB 792 Amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Appropriate Funds to Combat COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 1)
March 12, 2020 WY SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
March 12, 2020 CO HB 20-1078 Prohibits Retroactively Charged Fees on Already Filled Medical Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 12, 2020 AL HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 12, 2020 WA HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 12, 2020 AL SB 165 Establishes a Medical Marijuana Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1207 Amends Regulations for Pharmacists Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
March 11, 2020 IN SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 11, 2020 WY HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 11, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
March 10, 2020 IN HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
March 10, 2020 WA SB 6617 Expands Access to Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 10, 2020 WA SB 5947 Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 10, 2020 GA SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 9, 2020 MN SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 7, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
March 6, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 5, 2020 NJ A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
March 5, 2020 National HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
March 5, 2020 AL SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 3, 2020 CO HB 20-1009 Prohibits Landlords from Viewing Eviction Filing Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 3, 2020 IN HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 3, 2020 MD SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 3, 2020 MD SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 3, 2020 RI S 2326 Establishes Film Production Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 2, 2020 NY S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
March 2, 2020 AK SB 115 Increases the State Highway Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 5)
March 2, 2020 AZ SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
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 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. 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 WV SB 837 Establishes Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2020 WA SB 6261 Expands Farm Labor Contractor System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2020 NM SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2020 AZ HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
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. 12, 2020 AZ SB 1160 Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2020 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2020 MI SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2020 CA SB 50 Amends City Housing and Transportation Accommodations and Developments Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2020 MI SB 517 Requires a Feasibility Study and Strategic Implementation Plan on Tolling Highways Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2020 PA SB 773 Amends State Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 16, 2020 MA H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 8, 2020 MI SB 340 Establishes Remote Pharmacy Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
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 MI HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Nov. 7, 2019 MI SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/17 HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/17 S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/16 SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 SB 89 Amends 2019-2020 State Budget to Appropriate Funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 SF 2408 Appropriates Funds, Expands Power of Governor, and Waives School Time Requirements in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 0)
3/12 HB 792 Amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Appropriate Funds to Combat COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 1)
3/12 SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/12 HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
3/12 HB 20-1078 Prohibits Retroactively Charged Fees on Already Filled Medical Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/12 HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/12 HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/12 SB 165 Establishes a Medical Marijuana Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/11 HB 1207 Amends Regulations for Pharmacists Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
3/11 SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/11 HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/11 HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/11 HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/11 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
3/10 HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
3/10 SB 6617 Expands Access to Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/10 SB 5947 Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
3/10 HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/10 SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/09 SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/07 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
3/06 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/05 HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/05 HB 2638 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/05 A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
3/05 HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
3/05 SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/03 HB 20-1009 Prohibits Landlords from Viewing Eviction Filing Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/03 HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/03 SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/03 SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/03 S 2326 Establishes Film Production Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
3/03 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/02 S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
3/02 SB 115 Increases the State Highway Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 5)
3/02 SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
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 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)
2/26 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 SB 837 Establishes Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/18 SB 6261 Expands Farm Labor Contractor System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/15 SB 131 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/13 HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
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)
2/12 SB 1160 Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/11 SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/11 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
1/30 SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
1/30 SB 50 Amends City Housing and Transportation Accommodations and Developments Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15)
1/28 SB 517 Requires a Feasibility Study and Strategic Implementation Plan on Tolling Highways Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
1/28 SB 773 Amends State Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
1/22 SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/16 H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/08 SB 340 Establishes Remote Pharmacy Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
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 HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
11/07 SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)

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