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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 26, 2020 IA SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
Feb. 25, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
Feb. 25, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2020 MO HB 1387 Authorizes Electronic Monitoring Devices for Patients in Long-Term Care Centers Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
Feb. 21, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 21, 2020 KY HB 1 Amends Public Assistance Laws and Regulations Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
Feb. 20, 2020 SD HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2020 VT H 568 Repeals Prohibitions on Sex Work Bill Passed - House (126 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2020 WI AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2020 NM HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2020 AZ HB 2732 Increases Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by $8 Million Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2020 NM HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
Feb. 18, 2020 CO HB 20-1153 Authorizes the State Employee's Union to Collectively Bargain with the State Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2020 OR HB 4067 Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2020 NH HB 1700 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (177 - 128)
Feb. 13, 2020 WA HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Feb. 13, 2020 WA HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Feb. 13, 2020 National H J Res 79 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
Feb. 12, 2020 KY SB 30 Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2020 WA SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 11, 2020 WI AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Feb. 11, 2020 National HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2020 NE LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2020 OK HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2020 National HR 2474 Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
Feb. 6, 2020 National H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
Feb. 6, 2020 SD HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
Feb. 4, 2020 KY SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2020 KY HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2020 SD HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 24, 2020 WA SB 6037 Requires Public Companies to have a Gender-Diverse Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
Jan. 23, 2020 CA AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2020 CA AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 16, 2020 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 15, 2020 National HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/26 SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/25 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
2/25 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
2/25 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/25 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
2/24 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/24 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/24 HB 1387 Authorizes Electronic Monitoring Devices for Patients in Long-Term Care Centers Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
2/21 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/21 HB 1 Amends Public Assistance Laws and Regulations Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
2/20 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
2/20 HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
2/20 H 568 Repeals Prohibitions on Sex Work Bill Passed - House (126 - 19)
2/19 AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/19 HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
2/18 HB 2732 Increases Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by $8 Million Bill Passed - House (45 - 15)
2/18 HB 364 Expands Bargaining Rights of Public Employees Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
2/18 HB 20-1153 Authorizes the State Employee's Union to Collectively Bargain with the State Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
2/17 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/14 HB 4067 Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
2/13 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/13 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/13 HB 1700 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (177 - 128)
2/13 HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
2/13 HB 2614 Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
2/13 H J Res 79 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
2/12 SB 30 Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
2/12 SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/11 AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
2/11 HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
2/11 LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/10 HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/06 HR 2474 Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (224 - 194)
2/06 H Res 826 Expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid Bill Passed - House (223 - 190)
2/06 HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
2/06 HB 1096 Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/06 HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/04 SB 342 Establishes Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/04 HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
2/03 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/31 HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/29 HB 1057 Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/24 SB 6037 Requires Public Companies to have a Gender-Diverse Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
1/23 AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
1/23 AB 323 Establishes the Save Local Journalism Act Bill Passed - House (77 - 0)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/21 SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/16 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/15 HR 1230 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Bill Passed - House (261 - 155)
1/15 HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)

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