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
April 2, 2025 AR SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 2, 2025 PA SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
April 1, 2025 MS HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 40)
April 1, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
April 1, 2025 AL SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - House (93 - 1)
April 1, 2025 ND HB 1511 Requires Doctors Who Perform Abortion to Complete Additional Education on State Abortion Bans Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
April 1, 2025 AR HB 366 Establishes the Strengthen Arkansas Homes Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 25)
April 1, 2025 ID H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 1, 2025 AR HB 1821 Establishes a More Sustainable System of Property Insurance for State Owned Property Bill Passed - House (89 - 5)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2025 OR SB 1176 Requires that the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Conduct an Education Effort to Ensure Businesses Accept Cash Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
April 1, 2025 WV SB 85 Prohibits Prescribing Abortion Medication Unless the Abortion is Legal Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
March 31, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
March 31, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
March 31, 2025 WA SB 5106 Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as State-Recognized Holidays Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
March 31, 2025 CO SB 25-077 Increases Time for Local Governments to Respond to Records Requests from the Public and Businesses While Exempting Journalists from the Delays Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
March 31, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
March 31, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
March 31, 2025 OR SB 1098 Prohibits Schools and Library districts from Removing Books with Stories about Religion, Disability, LGBTQ+ Issues, or Other Characteristics of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 31, 2025 CO HB 25-1272 Reduces Lawsuits Against Condo Builders Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
March 31, 2025 PA SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 31, 2025 TX SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 31, 2025 OR HB 3144 Prohibits New Planned Communities from Banning Manufactured and Modular Homes Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
March 28, 2025 CO HB 25-1090 Prohibits Landlords from Charging Renters Hidden Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 21)
March 28, 2025 MS HB 569 Specifies New Conditions for Long-Term Care Hospitals in Harrison County to Allow Participation in Medicaid Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 3)
March 28, 2025 CO HB 25-1090 Prohibits Landlords from Charging Renters Hidden Fees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
March 28, 2025 KY SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
March 28, 2025 NE LB 415 Exempts Small Businesses, Minors, and Temporary Agriculture Workers from Receiving Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 90 Establishes Free-Standing Birthing Centers Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KS HCR 5011 Requires Property Values be Based on the Lesser of the Fair Market Value or the Average Fair Market Value Conference Report Rejected - House (37 - 88)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 17)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 19)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 19)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 90 Establishes Free-Standing Birthing Centers Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 20)
March 27, 2025 KS HCR 5011 Requires Property Values be Based on the Lesser of the Fair Market Value or the Average Fair Market Value Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
March 27, 2025 WA SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 3)
March 27, 2025 WA SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 3)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2164 Authorizes Individuals Who Are 20 Years of Age or Older to Apply for Certification as a Police Officer Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 357 Prohibits the State's Commissioner of Health and Human Services from Choosing Which Vaccines Children in New Hampshire are Required to Receive "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 174)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 27, 2025 MO HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
March 27, 2025 National HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
March 27, 2025 National HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/02 SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/02 SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/01 HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 40)
4/01 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
4/01 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
4/01 SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - House (93 - 1)
4/01 HB 1511 Requires Doctors Who Perform Abortion to Complete Additional Education on State Abortion Bans Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
4/01 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
4/01 HB 366 Establishes the Strengthen Arkansas Homes Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 25)
4/01 H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/01 HB 1821 Establishes a More Sustainable System of Property Insurance for State Owned Property Bill Passed - House (89 - 5)
4/01 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 SB 1176 Requires that the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Conduct an Education Effort to Ensure Businesses Accept Cash Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
4/01 SB 85 Prohibits Prescribing Abortion Medication Unless the Abortion is Legal Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/01 SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
3/31 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
3/31 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
3/31 SB 5106 Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as State-Recognized Holidays Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
3/31 SB 25-077 Increases Time for Local Governments to Respond to Records Requests from the Public and Businesses While Exempting Journalists from the Delays Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
3/31 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
3/31 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
3/31 SB 1098 Prohibits Schools and Library districts from Removing Books with Stories about Religion, Disability, LGBTQ+ Issues, or Other Characteristics of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/31 HB 25-1272 Reduces Lawsuits Against Condo Builders Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
3/31 SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/31 SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/31 HB 3144 Prohibits New Planned Communities from Banning Manufactured and Modular Homes Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
3/28 HB 25-1090 Prohibits Landlords from Charging Renters Hidden Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 21)
3/28 HB 569 Specifies New Conditions for Long-Term Care Hospitals in Harrison County to Allow Participation in Medicaid Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 3)
3/28 HB 25-1090 Prohibits Landlords from Charging Renters Hidden Fees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/28 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
3/28 SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
3/28 LB 415 Exempts Small Businesses, Minors, and Temporary Agriculture Workers from Receiving Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/27 SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/27 SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
3/27 SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 HB 90 Establishes Free-Standing Birthing Centers Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 HB 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
3/27 HCR 5011 Requires Property Values be Based on the Lesser of the Fair Market Value or the Average Fair Market Value Conference Report Rejected - House (37 - 88)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
3/27 HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/27 SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 17)
3/27 HB 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
3/27 SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 19)
3/27 SB 25 Establishes a Medicaid Oversight Board Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 19)
3/27 HB 90 Establishes Free-Standing Birthing Centers Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 20)
3/27 HCR 5011 Requires Property Values be Based on the Lesser of the Fair Market Value or the Average Fair Market Value Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/27 SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
3/27 SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
3/27 SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
3/27 SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 3)
3/27 SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 3)
3/27 HB 2164 Authorizes Individuals Who Are 20 Years of Age or Older to Apply for Certification as a Police Officer Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
3/27 HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
3/27 HB 357 Prohibits the State's Commissioner of Health and Human Services from Choosing Which Vaccines Children in New Hampshire are Required to Receive "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 174)
3/27 HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/27 SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/27 HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
3/27 HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
3/27 HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
3/27 HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
3/27 SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)

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