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 24, 2021 National PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
March 24, 2021 NY A 3397 Repeals Nursing Home Protections Against COVID-19 Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
March 23, 2021 MI SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 22, 2021 NY S 1413 Limits Out of Pocket Cost for Insulin to $30 for a 30 Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 1)
March 22, 2021 NV SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
March 22, 2021 GA HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 19, 2021 ME LD 305 Specifies Forest Rangers and Forest Fire Prevention Specialists are Included in the Laws Concerning Cancer Suffered by Firefighters "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6)
March 18, 2021 National PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 18, 2021 NH SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
March 18, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 17, 2021 GA HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
March 17, 2021 AR HB 1258 Authorizes the Full Independent Practice Authority for Certified Nurse Practitioners who Meet Certain Criteria Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
March 17, 2021 AR HB 1135 Authorizes Pharmacy Technicians to Administer Vaccines and Immunizations to Anyone Aged 3 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 17, 2021 AR HB 1198 Authorizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to Operate Without the Supervision of a Doctor Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 17, 2021 MI SB 210 Authorizes Someone to Drive an Off-Road Vehicle Without a Helmet or Protective Eyewear Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 17, 2021 MI SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 17, 2021 MI SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 17, 2021 KS SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 15, 2021 NM HB 47 Authorizes Terminally Ill Patients to Take Prescription Drugs to Die Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
March 15, 2021 TX SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 414 Requires the State to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to a Lower Level Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
March 12, 2021 CO SB 21-123 Authorizes Prescription Drug Importation from Other Countries Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 TN HB 16 Authorizes Teachers to Permanently Remove Students for Misbehavior Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 211 Establishes Penalties for Individuals Convicted of Certain Crimes Committed During a Riot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
March 11, 2021 ME LD 1 Establishes a COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 11, 2021 NE LB 44 Amends Criteria for the Adoption of an Affordable Housing Action Plan Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 9, 2021 WA SB 5065 Increases Public Safety Regulations for Railroad Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 9, 2021 SC S 571 Expands Availability of Naloxone (Narcan) Prescriptions to Patients Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 8, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 5, 2021 GA SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 5, 2021 NY S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
March 4, 2021 WA SB 5203 Authorizes the State Health Care Authority to Purchase Generic Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 2, 2021 ID H 5 Requires the Hands-Free Use of Certain Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 2, 2021 AL SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
March 1, 2021 CT HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2021 National PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/24 PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
3/24 A 3397 Repeals Nursing Home Protections Against COVID-19 Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
3/23 PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
3/23 SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/22 S 1413 Limits Out of Pocket Cost for Insulin to $30 for a 30 Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 1)
3/22 SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
3/22 HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/19 LD 305 Specifies Forest Rangers and Forest Fire Prevention Specialists are Included in the Laws Concerning Cancer Suffered by Firefighters "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6)
3/18 PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/18 SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
3/18 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/17 HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
3/17 HB 1258 Authorizes the Full Independent Practice Authority for Certified Nurse Practitioners who Meet Certain Criteria Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
3/17 HB 1135 Authorizes Pharmacy Technicians to Administer Vaccines and Immunizations to Anyone Aged 3 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/17 HB 1198 Authorizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to Operate Without the Supervision of a Doctor Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/17 SB 210 Authorizes Someone to Drive an Off-Road Vehicle Without a Helmet or Protective Eyewear Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/17 SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/17 SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/17 SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/16 HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/16 SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/15 HB 47 Authorizes Terminally Ill Patients to Take Prescription Drugs to Die Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
3/15 SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/12 SB 414 Requires the State to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to a Lower Level Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
3/12 SB 21-123 Authorizes Prescription Drug Importation from Other Countries Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/11 HB 16 Authorizes Teachers to Permanently Remove Students for Misbehavior Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/11 SB 211 Establishes Penalties for Individuals Convicted of Certain Crimes Committed During a Riot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
3/11 LD 1 Establishes a COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/11 LB 44 Amends Criteria for the Adoption of an Affordable Housing Action Plan Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/09 SB 5065 Increases Public Safety Regulations for Railroad Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/09 S 571 Expands Availability of Naloxone (Narcan) Prescriptions to Patients Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/05 SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/05 S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
3/04 SB 5203 Authorizes the State Health Care Authority to Purchase Generic Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/02 H 5 Requires the Hands-Free Use of Certain Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/02 SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/02 SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/01 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
3/01 HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/27 SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/25 PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)

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