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
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 26, 2020 GA HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
June 26, 2020 MS SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
June 24, 2020 MS SB 3046 Establishes COVID-19 Broadband Grant Programs Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
June 24, 2020 PA HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (127 - 74)
June 19, 2020 VT H 966 Appropriates Funds for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief During the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
June 18, 2020 DE HB 346 Authorizes Voting by Mail for 2020 Elections Bill Passed - House (25 - 13)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1246 Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1672 Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 DE SB 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
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 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
June 12, 2020 VT S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 12, 2020 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 12, 2020 CO HB 20-1425 Amends Hospital Patient Visitation Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (47 - 17)
June 10, 2020 IA SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 624 Requires Different Reporting Methods for COVID-19 Statistics Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
June 9, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1413 Establishes a Small Business Tax Credit for the COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
June 4, 2020 NJ A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 2, 2020 VT S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 1, 2020 LA HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
May 29, 2020 NY S 8428 Appropriates Funds for Expenses Related to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
May 28, 2020 NC HB 536 Authorizes the Reopening of Bars and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 53)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8275 Authorizes Suspending the Forfeiture of Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8113 Establishes Temporary Moratorium on Utility Termination of Services Bill Passed - House (111 - 32)
May 28, 2020 OH HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
May 28, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 27, 2020 National S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 22, 2020 IL SB 471 Establishes Worker Protections During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - House (95 - 10)
May 21, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 21, 2020 IL HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
May 21, 2020 AZ HB 2912 Increases Requirements for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
May 18, 2020 AL SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 17, 2020 MN HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
May 15, 2020 MO HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (127 - 21)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 14, 2020 NJ S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 14, 2020 MO HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
May 14, 2020 National HR 6172 USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 16)
May 14, 2020 OK SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
May 14, 2020 MO SB 739 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
May 12, 2020 SC H 3411 Establishes Allocations of Federal COVID-19 Appropriations to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
May 9, 2020 MN HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 10)
May 7, 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 Veto Override Failed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 7, 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 Veto Override Failed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 7, 2020 MN HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 1)
May 2, 2020 NC HB 1043 Appropriates Funds from the CARES Act for COVID-19 Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (120 - 0)
May 2, 2020 NC SB 704 Establishes the COVID-19 Response Act Bill Passed - House (119 - 0)
May 1, 2020 VT S 346 Establishes Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 30, 2020 MN SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
April 29, 2020 NC SB 704 Establishes the COVID-19 Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
April 24, 2020 MI SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 23, 2020 National HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
April 23, 2020 National H Res 938 Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (212 - 182)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/29 S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/29 S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/26 HB 914 Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10)
6/26 SB 3051 Establishes Special Provisions for Unemployment Compensation Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
6/24 SB 3046 Establishes COVID-19 Broadband Grant Programs Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
6/24 HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (127 - 74)
6/19 H 966 Appropriates Funds for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief During the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
6/18 HB 346 Authorizes Voting by Mail for 2020 Elections Bill Passed - House (25 - 13)
6/16 HB 1246 Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 1672 Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 SB 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/13 SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/12 SB 20-224 Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
6/12 S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/12 HB 20-1425 Amends Hospital Patient Visitation Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (47 - 17)
6/10 SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
6/10 HB 624 Requires Different Reporting Methods for COVID-19 Statistics Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
6/09 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/09 HB 20-1413 Establishes a Small Business Tax Credit for the COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - House (43 - 18)
6/05 SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
6/04 A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
6/03 HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/02 S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/01 HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
5/29 HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
5/29 S 8428 Appropriates Funds for Expenses Related to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
5/28 HB 536 Authorizes the Reopening of Bars and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 53)
5/28 S 8275 Authorizes Suspending the Forfeiture of Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
5/28 S 8113 Establishes Temporary Moratorium on Utility Termination of Services Bill Passed - House (111 - 32)
5/28 HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
5/28 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
5/27 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/27 S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/22 SB 471 Establishes Worker Protections During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - House (95 - 10)
5/21 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/21 HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
5/21 HB 2912 Increases Requirements for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
5/18 SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/17 HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
5/15 HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (127 - 21)
5/15 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/14 S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/14 HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
5/14 HR 6172 USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 16)
5/14 SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
5/14 SB 739 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
5/12 H 3411 Establishes Allocations of Federal COVID-19 Appropriations to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
5/09 HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 10)
5/07 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 Veto Override Failed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/07 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 Veto Override Failed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/07 HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 1)
5/02 HB 1043 Appropriates Funds from the CARES Act for COVID-19 Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (120 - 0)
5/02 SB 704 Establishes the COVID-19 Response Act Bill Passed - House (119 - 0)
5/01 S 346 Establishes Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/30 SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
4/29 SB 704 Establishes the COVID-19 Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
4/24 SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/23 HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
4/23 H Res 938 Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (212 - 182)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/21 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)

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