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
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 351 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Public Places Against Breastfeeding or Breast Pumping Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
Sept. 25, 2024 National HR 8205 Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 161)
Sept. 20, 2024 CA AB 3206 Authorizes Alcohol Beverage Sales to Occur between 2 and 4 AM in Certain Fully Enclosed Sports Arenas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 20, 2024 National HR 9106 Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (405 - 0)
Sept. 18, 2024 National S 1146 Find and Protect Foster Youth Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 7)
Sept. 18, 2024 National HR 7909 Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 158)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 169 Amends Juvenile Statutes in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
Sept. 17, 2024 PA SB 173 Establishes a Safe Exchange Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC SB 445 Amends the Recording of Court-Filed Documents Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1836 Establishes New Regulations and Civil Liabilities for Unauthorized Usage of Deceased Person's Likeness Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1836 Establishes New Regulations and Civil Liabilities for Unauthorized Usage of Deceased Person's Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1089 Requires Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Provide Advance Notice to the Community and Workers Before Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 1954 Amends Certain Sections of the Welfare and Institutions Code Relating to Sexually Violent Predators. Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 3283 Limits Claimants Ability to Claim Exemption for Certain Civil Judgments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 15)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 12)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 1089 Requires Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Provide Advance Notice to the Community and Workers Before Closures Bill Passed - House (57 - 16)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 3283 Limits Claimants Ability to Claim Exemption for Certain Civil Judgments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA SB 937 Limits the Utility Service Fees Exception and Cap Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 3234 Requires Clear and Conspicuous Posting of Findings of Voluntary Social Compliance Audit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 20, 2024 NE LB 3 Appropriates $22 Million for Cash Fund Transfers and Increased Fees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 25, 2024 National H Res 1371 Strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, failure to secure the United States border. Resolution Passed - House (220 - 196)
July 24, 2024 National H Res 1367 Establishing the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump. Resolution Passed - House (416 - 0)
July 24, 2024 MA H 4891 Promoting Access and Affordability of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - House (158 - 0)
July 23, 2024 National S 227 Improving Access to Our Courts Act Bill Passed - House (404 - 3)
July 23, 2024 National S 3706 Victims' VOICES Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 2)
July 23, 2024 National S 3706 Victims' VOICES Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 2)
July 22, 2024 National HR 1631 Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes (Pro Codes) Act Bill Failed - House (248 - 127)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
July 18, 2024 NM HB 1 Appropriates Funding for Flood and Fire Response, Pilot Projects, Healthcare, Court Resources, and Fentanyl Trafficking Prevention Bill Passed - House (57 - 7)
July 11, 2024 National H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 2, 2024 PA SB 186 Amends Definition and Titles of Child Pornography to Child Sexual Abuse Material Bill Passed - House (144 - 58)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 30, 2024 DE SB 12 Amends Statutes Governing the Need for Preventative Dentention Bill Passed - House (32 - 7)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
June 28, 2024 DE HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 28, 2024 NJ S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 28, 2024 PA HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - House (177 - 25)
June 28, 2024 National HR 8752 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (212 - 203)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 250 Requires Autopsies to Remain Public Record Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 18)
June 27, 2024 MI HB 4332 Increases Penalties for Certain Blight Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 41)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 27, 2024 MI HB 4485 Amends Criminal Procedures for Indictments to be Filed Within 15 Years of a Crime or by the Victim's 42nd Birthday Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/25 SB 351 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Public Places Against Breastfeeding or Breast Pumping Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
9/25 HR 8205 Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 161)
9/20 AB 3206 Authorizes Alcohol Beverage Sales to Occur between 2 and 4 AM in Certain Fully Enclosed Sports Arenas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/20 HR 9106 Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (405 - 0)
9/18 S 1146 Find and Protect Foster Youth Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 7)
9/18 HR 7909 Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 158)
9/17 SB 169 Amends Juvenile Statutes in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/17 SB 170 Amends Criminal Statutes Governing the Duties of Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
9/17 SB 173 Establishes a Safe Exchange Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
9/09 SB 445 Amends the Recording of Court-Filed Documents Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
8/31 AB 1836 Establishes New Regulations and Civil Liabilities for Unauthorized Usage of Deceased Person's Likeness Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
8/31 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
8/31 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/31 AB 1836 Establishes New Regulations and Civil Liabilities for Unauthorized Usage of Deceased Person's Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
8/30 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/30 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/30 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
8/29 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
8/29 SB 1089 Requires Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Provide Advance Notice to the Community and Workers Before Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/29 AB 1954 Amends Certain Sections of the Welfare and Institutions Code Relating to Sexually Violent Predators. Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/29 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
8/28 SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
8/28 AB 3283 Limits Claimants Ability to Claim Exemption for Certain Civil Judgments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 15)
8/28 AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 12)
8/28 AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 0)
8/28 SB 1089 Requires Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Provide Advance Notice to the Community and Workers Before Closures Bill Passed - House (57 - 16)
8/28 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
8/27 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
8/27 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
8/27 AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/27 SB 940 Amends Certain Procedures Regarding Civil Disputes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
8/27 AB 2099 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Reproductive Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/27 AB 3283 Limits Claimants Ability to Claim Exemption for Certain Civil Judgments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/27 AB 1877 Requires a California Court to Seal Juvenile Records if a Person Has not Been Found Guilty of a Crime During that Time Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/27 SB 937 Limits the Utility Service Fees Exception and Cap Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
8/27 AB 1986 Requires List of Banned Book in Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/26 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/26 AB 3234 Requires Clear and Conspicuous Posting of Findings of Voluntary Social Compliance Audit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 0)
8/26 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/26 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/20 LB 3 Appropriates $22 Million for Cash Fund Transfers and Increased Fees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
8/19 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
8/19 AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/12 AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/12 AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/25 H Res 1371 Strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, failure to secure the United States border. Resolution Passed - House (220 - 196)
7/24 H Res 1367 Establishing the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump. Resolution Passed - House (416 - 0)
7/24 H 4891 Promoting Access and Affordability of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - House (158 - 0)
7/23 S 227 Improving Access to Our Courts Act Bill Passed - House (404 - 3)
7/23 S 3706 Victims' VOICES Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 2)
7/23 S 3706 Victims' VOICES Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 2)
7/22 HR 1631 Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes (Pro Codes) Act Bill Failed - House (248 - 127)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
7/18 HB 1 Appropriates Funding for Flood and Fire Response, Pilot Projects, Healthcare, Court Resources, and Fentanyl Trafficking Prevention Bill Passed - House (57 - 7)
7/11 H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/02 SB 186 Amends Definition and Titles of Child Pornography to Child Sexual Abuse Material Bill Passed - House (144 - 58)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/30 SB 12 Amends Statutes Governing the Need for Preventative Dentention Bill Passed - House (32 - 7)
6/28 A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
6/28 HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/28 S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/28 HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - House (177 - 25)
6/28 HR 8752 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (212 - 203)
6/27 HB 250 Requires Autopsies to Remain Public Record Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 18)
6/27 HB 4332 Increases Penalties for Certain Blight Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 41)
6/27 HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/27 HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/27 HB 4485 Amends Criminal Procedures for Indictments to be Filed Within 15 Years of a Crime or by the Victim's 42nd Birthday Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
6/27 HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)
6/27 HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)

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