Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 2 Requires School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Ban Policies Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
Feb. 19, 2025 OH SB 6 Amends Code Related to Building Inspection Fees and Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
Feb. 19, 2025 WI AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2025 MT SB 244 Requires Insurance Coverage for Standardized, Evidence-Based Behavioral and Mental Health Screenings and Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
Feb. 18, 2025 AR HB 1181 Amends the Full Practice Authority of a Certified Nurse Midwife to Allow Admitting Privileges Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Feb. 18, 2025 AR HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 ID H 7 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Fine of $300 for Anyone Convicted of Cannabis Possession Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2025 National S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2025 IA SF 175 Requires Incorporating Provisions Related to Pregnancy and Fetal Development into the Human Growth and Development and Health Curricula Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO SB 25-005 Repeals the Requirement for a Second Election in the Collective Bargaining Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2025 KY SB 2 Prohibits Public Funds from Being Spent on Gender-Affirming Care in Kentucky Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 18, 2025 IN SB 2 Establishes State Medicaid Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - House (64 - 5)
Feb. 17, 2025 MT HB 245 Expands State Medicaid Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 37)
Feb. 17, 2025 ND HB 1022 Appropriates Infrastructure Loan Investments under the Legacy Fund Bill Passed - House (73 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
Feb. 17, 2025 AR SB 17 Prohibits the Selling of a Human Corpse or Body Parts Set to be Cremated or Buried Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 17, 2025 AR SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2025 NM HB 8 Establishes Enhanced Penalties for Several Crimes and Criminal Competency Provisions Bill Passed - House (48 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
Feb. 14, 2025 ND HB 1038 Prohibits and Replaces Chinese-Made Drones in the State Fleet Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 NM SB 3 Establishes the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2025 NM SB 2 Appropriates $200 Million to Expand Regional Behavioral Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
Feb. 14, 2025 NM SB 1 Establishes a Trust Fund for Behavioral Health Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2025 MO HB 595 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring Landlords to Accept Section 8 Vouchers Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
Feb. 13, 2025 MT SB 221 Establishes Structured Guidance for Environmental Reviews Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2025 AL SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2025 ND HB 1607 Authorizes Educational Spending Debit Cards to Parents of Public, Private and Homeschooled Students Bill Failed - House (16 - 71)
Feb. 13, 2025 GA SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2025 AL SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2025 National HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)
Feb. 13, 2025 National HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/19 AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/19 AB 4 Requires Civics Instruction in Grades K-12 Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/19 AB 3 Requires Cursive Instruction be Taught in State School Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/19 AB 2 Requires School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Ban Policies Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
2/19 SB 6 Amends Code Related to Building Inspection Fees and Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/19 HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
2/19 AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/19 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/19 SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
2/19 SB 244 Requires Insurance Coverage for Standardized, Evidence-Based Behavioral and Mental Health Screenings and Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
2/18 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
2/18 HB 1181 Amends the Full Practice Authority of a Certified Nurse Midwife to Allow Admitting Privileges Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/18 HB 1060 Amends and Revises the Educational Instruction Provided on the Failure of Communism and Autocratic Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 SF 40 Increases Petition Threshold to Trigger City Council Votes Bill Passed - House (52 - 9)
2/18 H 7 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Fine of $300 for Anyone Convicted of Cannabis Possession Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/18 S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
2/18 SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
2/18 HB 1180 Requires School Board Candidates Disclose Their Party Affiliation When They Declare Candidacy Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
2/18 HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
2/18 SF 175 Requires Incorporating Provisions Related to Pregnancy and Fetal Development into the Human Growth and Development and Health Curricula Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
2/18 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/18 SB 25-005 Repeals the Requirement for a Second Election in the Collective Bargaining Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/18 SB 2 Prohibits Public Funds from Being Spent on Gender-Affirming Care in Kentucky Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/18 SB 2 Establishes State Medicaid Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
2/18 HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - House (64 - 5)
2/17 HB 245 Expands State Medicaid Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 37)
2/17 HB 1022 Appropriates Infrastructure Loan Investments under the Legacy Fund Bill Passed - House (73 - 16)
2/17 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - House (88 - 2)
2/17 SB 17 Prohibits the Selling of a Human Corpse or Body Parts Set to be Cremated or Buried Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/17 SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/15 HB 8 Establishes Enhanced Penalties for Several Crimes and Criminal Competency Provisions Bill Passed - House (48 - 20)
2/14 HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
2/14 HB 1038 Prohibits and Replaces Chinese-Made Drones in the State Fleet Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
2/14 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 SB 3 Establishes the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
2/14 SB 2 Appropriates $200 Million to Expand Regional Behavioral Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
2/14 SB 1 Establishes a Trust Fund for Behavioral Health Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
2/13 PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/13 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
2/13 HB 270 Limits State Agency Overreach by Focusing Reviews on Measurable, Localized Impacts Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
2/13 HB 595 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring Landlords to Accept Section 8 Vouchers Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
2/13 SB 221 Establishes Structured Guidance for Environmental Reviews Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
2/13 SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/13 HB 1607 Authorizes Educational Spending Debit Cards to Parents of Public, Private and Homeschooled Students Bill Failed - House (16 - 71)
2/13 SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
2/13 SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/13 HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)
2/13 HR 35 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 155)

arrow_upward