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. 29, 2020 CA AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
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 1263 Prohibits Stranger-Originated Life Insurance Policy Arrangements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4482 Establishes Minimum Wage Requirements for Certain Long-Term Care Facility Staff Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 10, 2020 OR SB 1703 Authorizes the Department of Revenue to Share Information with the Director of Employment Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Aug. 10, 2020 OR SB 1701 Authorizes Unemployment Benefits for Employees Working Less than Full-Time Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
July 31, 2020 National HR 7617 Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 197)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
July 30, 2020 NJ ACR 188 Establishes Referendum to Delay Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ ACR 188 Establishes Referendum to Delay Redistricting Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
July 27, 2020 National S 2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act Bill Passed - House (368 - 1)
July 23, 2020 National S 4049 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 14)
July 22, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
July 21, 2020 NY A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
July 21, 2020 National HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
July 20, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
July 16, 2020 RI H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 15, 2020 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 14, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
July 14, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
July 13, 2020 PA HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
July 2, 2020 CA SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 30, 2020 LA HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
June 30, 2020 NH HB 1162 Amends Adoption Laws for Unmarried Couples Concurrence Vote Passed - House (209 - 119)
June 30, 2020 OH HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 30, 2020 MA H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 26, 2020 VT H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House
June 26, 2020 VT H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
June 26, 2020 GA HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
June 26, 2020 GA SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
June 26, 2020 MS SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
June 25, 2020 CA ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 25, 2020 CA ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1494 Establishes Benefits for Public Works Employees That Die on the Job Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-221 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/29 AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/27 A 4476 Establishes a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 1263 Prohibits Stranger-Originated Life Insurance Policy Arrangements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/27 A 4482 Establishes Minimum Wage Requirements for Certain Long-Term Care Facility Staff Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/10 SB 1703 Authorizes the Department of Revenue to Share Information with the Director of Employment Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
8/10 SB 1701 Authorizes Unemployment Benefits for Employees Working Less than Full-Time Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
8/02 SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
7/31 HR 7617 Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 197)
7/30 S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
7/30 S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
7/30 ACR 188 Establishes Referendum to Delay Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/30 A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
7/30 S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 ACR 188 Establishes Referendum to Delay Redistricting Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
7/27 S 2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act Bill Passed - House (368 - 1)
7/23 S 4049 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 14)
7/22 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
7/21 A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
7/21 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
7/20 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
7/16 H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
7/15 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/15 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/15 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
7/15 SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/14 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
7/14 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
7/13 HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
7/02 SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/30 HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
6/30 HB 1162 Amends Adoption Laws for Unmarried Couples Concurrence Vote Passed - House (209 - 119)
6/30 HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/30 H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
6/29 S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/26 H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House
6/26 H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
6/26 HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
6/26 SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
6/26 SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
6/25 ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/25 ACA 11 Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/16 HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
6/16 HB 1494 Establishes Benefits for Public Works Employees That Die on the Job Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
6/13 SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/13 SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/12 SB 20-207 Increases the Wages One Can Earn on Unemployment Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
6/12 SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
6/12 SB 20-221 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)

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