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 15, 2025 NH HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
May 15, 2025 IL SB 1953 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to have Stricter Hiring Practices Bill Passed - House (101 - 12)
May 15, 2025 CT SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
May 15, 2025 TX SB 462 Requires Any Waiting List for Child Care Services to Give Priority to Children of Child Care Workers Bill Passed - House (124 - 18)
May 15, 2025 National S Res 195 A resolution requesting information on El Salvador's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 50)
May 15, 2025 CA AB 309 Extends the Authorization for Physicians and Pharmacists to Provide Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Without Prescription or Permit Indefinitely Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
May 15, 2025 National HR 2240 Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 11)
May 15, 2025 National HR 2255 Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (234 - 182)
May 15, 2025 CA AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
May 15, 2025 TX HB 4535 Requires Healthcare Providers to Obtain Written Informed Consent Before Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
May 15, 2025 WI SB 125 Requires the Public Service Commission to Conduct a Study to Determine Potential Sites for a Nuclear Power Plant Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
May 15, 2025 WI SB 56 Authorizes Private Water Utilities to Access Federal Funds for Loan Forgiveness for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
May 15, 2025 WI SB 33 Classifies the Distribution of Deep Fake Intimate Content as a Class I Felony Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
May 14, 2025 AL HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 28)
May 14, 2025 OK HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
May 14, 2025 ME LD 163 Requires Health Insurance Coverage of Nonprescription Oral Contraceptives and Nonprescription Emergency Contraceptives "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
May 14, 2025 ME LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
May 14, 2025 National PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
May 14, 2025 AL HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 14, 2025 IA SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (60 - 27)
May 14, 2025 OR HB 2299 Expands Prohibited Dissemination of Intimate Imagery to Include Digitally Created or Altered Depictions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 14, 2025 MO HB 567 Amends Provisions Relating to Employee Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 14, 2025 OR SB 1175 Establishes a Temporary Task Force on Removing Barriers to Jury Service Bill Passed - House (37 - 15)
May 14, 2025 OR SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
May 14, 2025 OR SB 959 Establishes that Having a Signal Jammer That Can Disrupt Alarm Systems is a Crime If It's Used to Break Into or Steal From a House or Building Bill Passed - House (47 - 5)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
May 14, 2025 National PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 OH SB 158 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use by Students During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 14, 2025 OH SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
May 14, 2025 National H Res 352 Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community. Resolution Passed - House (421 - 1)
May 14, 2025 National HR 2243 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
May 14, 2025 TX HB 4076 Prohibits Health Care Providers From Determining Eligibility for Organ Transplants Based on Vaccination Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 53)
May 14, 2025 TX HB 1586 Requires the Department of State Health Services to Provide Immunization Exemption Forms in a Printable Format Bill Passed - House (83 - 54)
May 14, 2025 OH HB 144 Expands the Communication Disability Database Bill Passed - House (89 - 2)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 526 Authorizes Public Power Suppliers to Regulate Cryptocurrency Mining Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
May 14, 2025 IA SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 13, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
May 13, 2025 IA HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
May 13, 2025 NY A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
May 13, 2025 IA HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
May 13, 2025 OR SB 973 Requires Landlords of Public Housing to Provide Applicants and New Tenants 30 Month Notice of when the Affordability Restrictions May be Terminated Bill Passed - House (43 - 9)
May 13, 2025 OR HB 3378 Requires Landlords to Provide Non-Digital Access Options to Rental Units Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/15 HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
5/15 SB 1953 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to have Stricter Hiring Practices Bill Passed - House (101 - 12)
5/15 SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
5/15 SB 462 Requires Any Waiting List for Child Care Services to Give Priority to Children of Child Care Workers Bill Passed - House (124 - 18)
5/15 S Res 195 A resolution requesting information on El Salvador's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 50)
5/15 AB 309 Extends the Authorization for Physicians and Pharmacists to Provide Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Without Prescription or Permit Indefinitely Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
5/15 HR 2240 Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 11)
5/15 HR 2255 Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (234 - 182)
5/15 AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
5/15 HB 4535 Requires Healthcare Providers to Obtain Written Informed Consent Before Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
5/15 SB 125 Requires the Public Service Commission to Conduct a Study to Determine Potential Sites for a Nuclear Power Plant Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/15 SB 56 Authorizes Private Water Utilities to Access Federal Funds for Loan Forgiveness for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
5/15 SB 33 Classifies the Distribution of Deep Fake Intimate Content as a Class I Felony Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
5/14 HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
5/14 HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 28)
5/14 HB 2728 Establishes Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 12)
5/14 LD 163 Requires Health Insurance Coverage of Nonprescription Oral Contraceptives and Nonprescription Emergency Contraceptives "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
5/14 LD 702 Establishes and Designates January 6 as a Day to Remember "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
5/14 PN 13-10 Nomination of Katharine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 40)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
5/14 HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/14 HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/14 SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (60 - 27)
5/14 HB 2299 Expands Prohibited Dissemination of Intimate Imagery to Include Digitally Created or Altered Depictions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/14 HB 567 Amends Provisions Relating to Employee Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/14 SB 1175 Establishes a Temporary Task Force on Removing Barriers to Jury Service Bill Passed - House (37 - 15)
5/14 SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
5/14 SB 959 Establishes that Having a Signal Jammer That Can Disrupt Alarm Systems is a Crime If It's Used to Break Into or Steal From a House or Building Bill Passed - House (47 - 5)
5/14 HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
5/14 LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
5/14 PN 26-46 Nomination of Eric Matthew Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 PN 12-38 Nomination of Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 SB 158 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use by Students During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/14 SB 63 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
5/14 H Res 352 Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community. Resolution Passed - House (421 - 1)
5/14 HR 2243 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
5/14 HB 4076 Prohibits Health Care Providers From Determining Eligibility for Organ Transplants Based on Vaccination Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 53)
5/14 HB 1586 Requires the Department of State Health Services to Provide Immunization Exemption Forms in a Printable Format Bill Passed - House (83 - 54)
5/14 HB 144 Expands the Communication Disability Database Bill Passed - House (89 - 2)
5/14 LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/14 LB 287 Amends Various Laws Relating to Housing Oversight and Authority in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/14 LB 526 Authorizes Public Power Suppliers to Regulate Cryptocurrency Mining Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
5/14 SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/13 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
5/13 HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
5/13 A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
5/13 HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
5/13 SB 973 Requires Landlords of Public Housing to Provide Applicants and New Tenants 30 Month Notice of when the Affordability Restrictions May be Terminated Bill Passed - House (43 - 9)
5/13 HB 3378 Requires Landlords to Provide Non-Digital Access Options to Rental Units Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)

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