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 15, 2021 National PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
March 15, 2021 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
March 15, 2021 TX SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 15, 2021 ID H 309 Amends the Property Tax Deferral Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 12, 2021 VT H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
March 12, 2021 ID S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
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 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
March 11, 2021 VT H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
March 11, 2021 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 11, 2021 NC SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 11, 2021 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 10, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 211)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 10, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
March 10, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
March 10, 2021 OK SB 647 Authorizes Parental Funeral and Burial Rights for First Trimester Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
March 10, 2021 AR HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
March 9, 2021 National HR 842 Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (225 - 206)
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 8, 2021 GA SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
March 6, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 6, 2021 National S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
March 5, 2021 NY S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
March 4, 2021 WV SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 4, 2021 AZ HCR 2037 Authorizes a Simple Majority to Call a Special Session to Review Executive Powers Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 4, 2021 AZ HCR 2037 Authorizes a Simple Majority to Call a Special Session to Review Executive Powers Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 3, 2021 MI HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
March 3, 2021 KS HB 2183 Limits the Governor's and the Secretary of States' Power in Elections Bill Passed - House (84 - 39)
March 3, 2021 NC HB 128 Establishes a $1,500 Bonus for Unemployed Individuals that Accept Reemployment Within 30 Days Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 2, 2021 National PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
March 2, 2021 AL SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 1, 2021 TN SB 228 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
Feb. 26, 2021 MD SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Feb. 25, 2021 National PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2021 MT HB 429 Rescinds Gubernatorial Power to Suspend Election Laws During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/15 PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
3/15 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
3/15 SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/15 H 309 Amends the Property Tax Deferral Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/12 H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
3/12 S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
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 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
3/11 H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
3/11 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/11 SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/11 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/10 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 211)
3/10 PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
3/10 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
3/10 SB 647 Authorizes Parental Funeral and Burial Rights for First Trimester Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
3/10 HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
3/09 HR 842 Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (225 - 206)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/08 SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
3/06 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/06 S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
3/05 S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
3/04 SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/04 HCR 2037 Authorizes a Simple Majority to Call a Special Session to Review Executive Powers Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/04 HCR 2037 Authorizes a Simple Majority to Call a Special Session to Review Executive Powers Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/03 HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
3/03 HB 2183 Limits the Governor's and the Secretary of States' Power in Elections Bill Passed - House (84 - 39)
3/03 HB 128 Establishes a $1,500 Bonus for Unemployed Individuals that Accept Reemployment Within 30 Days Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
3/03 SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/02 PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
3/02 SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
3/01 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/01 SB 228 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/27 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
2/26 SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
2/25 PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
2/25 HB 429 Rescinds Gubernatorial Power to Suspend Election Laws During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
2/25 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)
2/25 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)

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