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
Aug. 7, 2019 NC SB 681 Appropriates Funding to Rural Hospitals Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
July 24, 2019 National HR 397 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (264 - 169)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (237 - 190)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
July 12, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
July 12, 2019 National HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 197)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2001 Requires Duplex Ordinances in Cities with 25,000 Residents Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
June 29, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 NJ S 692 Prohibits the Department of Education from Establishing Maximum Salaries for Superintendents Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
June 27, 2019 DE HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 27, 2019 DE SB 24 Expands Who Can Qualify for Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
June 27, 2019 National S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
June 26, 2019 PA HB 33 Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
June 26, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 25, 2019 OR SB 998 Authorizes Bicyclists to Yield at Stop Signs Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 4135 Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 DE HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - House (28 - 11)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 459 Defines Homelessness in Laws Governing Emergency General Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 19, 2019 NY S 2000 Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 19, 2019 PA HB 33 Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
June 18, 2019 OR SB 1044 Establishes Zero-Emission Vehicle Use Goals Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
June 18, 2019 OR SB 579 Exempts Certain Individuals from the 15-Day Waiting Period for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 553 Authorizes Sports Betting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 553 Authorizes Sports Betting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
June 18, 2019 OR HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
June 18, 2019 NY S 6599 Increases Renewable Energy Goals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
June 17, 2019 NY A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
June 17, 2019 NC SB 315 Establishes Regulations on Hemp and Other Farming Industries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
June 17, 2019 NY S 2655 Prohibits Smoking in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12)
June 17, 2019 NY S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
June 14, 2019 NY S 6458 Increases State Rent Control Protections and Stabilization Rules Bill Passed - House (95 - 46)
June 14, 2019 NY S 6458 Increases State Rent Control Protections and Stabilization Rules Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
June 14, 2019 NY S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/07 SB 681 Appropriates Funding to Rural Hospitals Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
7/29 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
7/29 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
7/29 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
7/24 HR 397 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (264 - 169)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/17 HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/17 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (237 - 190)
7/17 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
7/17 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
7/12 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
7/12 HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 197)
6/30 HB 2001 Requires Duplex Ordinances in Cities with 25,000 Residents Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
6/29 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
6/27 HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 S 692 Prohibits the Department of Education from Establishing Maximum Salaries for Superintendents Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
6/27 HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/27 SB 24 Expands Who Can Qualify for Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
6/27 S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
6/26 HB 33 Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
6/26 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/25 SB 998 Authorizes Bicyclists to Yield at Stop Signs Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
6/20 S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
6/20 A 4135 Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/20 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - House (28 - 11)
6/20 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/19 LD 459 Defines Homelessness in Laws Governing Emergency General Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/19 S 2000 Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/19 HB 33 Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
6/18 SB 1044 Establishes Zero-Emission Vehicle Use Goals Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
6/18 SB 579 Exempts Certain Individuals from the 15-Day Waiting Period for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
6/18 LD 553 Authorizes Sports Betting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
6/18 LD 553 Authorizes Sports Betting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
6/18 HB 2015 Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
6/18 S 6599 Increases Renewable Energy Goals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
6/17 A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29)
6/17 SB 315 Establishes Regulations on Hemp and Other Farming Industries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
6/17 S 2655 Prohibits Smoking in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12)
6/17 S 2387 Requires Menstrual Product Packaging List Ingredients Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 11)
6/14 S 6458 Increases State Rent Control Protections and Stabilization Rules Bill Passed - House (95 - 46)
6/14 S 6458 Increases State Rent Control Protections and Stabilization Rules Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
6/14 S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)

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