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
May 20, 2021 NV AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 19, 2021 National S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
May 18, 2021 TX SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 6, 2021 OR HB 3178 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Keep their Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 29, 2021 TN HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 28, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 27, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 22, 2021 ND HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 21, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 15, 2021 NV SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 13, 2021 NV SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 8, 2021 WV HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 7, 2021 NE LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 7, 2021 NE LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 6, 2021 WA HB 1356 Prohibits the use of Native American names or symbols as public school mascots, logos, or team names. Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
April 6, 2021 NV SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 5, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 30, 2021 NY S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 29, 2021 AR HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 24, 2021 National PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
March 24, 2021 NY A 3397 Repeals Nursing Home Protections Against COVID-19 Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
March 24, 2021 VT H 315 Appropriates $100 Million for COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
March 23, 2021 IN HB 1152 Increases Penalties for Unemployment Application Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
March 23, 2021 CO SB 21-077 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to Earn Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 22, 2021 National PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
March 22, 2021 ND HB 1378 Authorizes the State Assembly to Vote in December Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 19, 2021 MT SB 315 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 18, 2021 National PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 18, 2021 NH SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
March 18, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 17, 2021 ID H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 17, 2021 KS SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 16, 2021 NV AB 110 Requires Lobbyists to Register with the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 16, 2021 WI SB 29 Amends the Process of Terminating Parental Rights to Waive the Court Appearance Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
March 15, 2021 National PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
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 TX SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
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 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 - 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 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
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 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 National PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/19 S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
5/18 SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/06 HB 3178 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Keep their Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/28 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/27 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/22 HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/21 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/15 SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/14 SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/14 SB 282 Extends the Time Period for Late Rent Payments Through the End of February 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/13 SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/08 HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/07 LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/07 LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/06 HB 1356 Prohibits the use of Native American names or symbols as public school mascots, logos, or team names. Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
4/06 SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/05 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/30 S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/29 HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/24 PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
3/24 A 3397 Repeals Nursing Home Protections Against COVID-19 Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
3/24 H 315 Appropriates $100 Million for COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/23 PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
3/23 PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
3/23 HB 1152 Increases Penalties for Unemployment Application Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
3/23 SB 21-077 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to Earn Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/22 PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
3/22 HB 1378 Authorizes the State Assembly to Vote in December Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/19 SB 315 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/18 PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/18 SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
3/18 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/17 H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/17 SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/16 HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/16 AB 110 Requires Lobbyists to Register with the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/16 SB 29 Amends the Process of Terminating Parental Rights to Waive the Court Appearance Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
3/15 PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/15 SB 2142 Authorizes Retroactively Correcting Prices to Compensate Customers after Blackouts Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
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 - 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 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
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)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 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 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)

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