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 3, 2025 AR SB 444 Amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 3, 2025 IL SB 1441 Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 6)
April 3, 2025 ID S 1211 Authorizes Ivermectin to Be Sold Over the Counter Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 2, 2025 MS HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 13)
April 2, 2025 ND HB 1022 Appropriates Infrastructure Loan Investments under the Legacy Fund Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 3)
April 2, 2025 MD HB 930 Appropriates $25 Million for State Abortion Grants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
April 2, 2025 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
April 2, 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 - Senate (26 - 2)
April 2, 2025 AR SB 544 Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from Owning Pharmacies and Selling Drugs on Retail Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 2, 2025 PA SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
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 AR SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
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 ND HB 1511 Requires Doctors Who Perform Abortion to Complete Additional Education on State Abortion Bans Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
April 1, 2025 ID H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
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 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
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)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
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 TX SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 31, 2025 PA SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
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 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 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 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 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 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 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
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 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 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 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 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 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 MO SB 79 Exempts Certain Health Insurance Plans From Federal Protections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
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 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 OK SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
March 26, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 227 Increases the Tax Credit for the Redevelopment of Historic Structures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
March 26, 2025 OK SB 215 Establishes the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
March 26, 2025 OK SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 26, 2025 OK SB 672 Prohibits the Governor from Closing Any Business During a Pandemic Without Documented Scientific Evidence that the Nature of the Business Contributes to the Spread of the Disease Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
March 25, 2025 ND HB 1114 Limits Out-of-Pocket Costs for a Monthly Supply of Insulin to $25 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
March 25, 2025 GA HB 340 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Schools from Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 2)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
March 25, 2025 OK SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
March 25, 2025 IA SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 25, 2025 OK SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 25, 2025 OK SB 942 Requires Public Schools and Higher Education Institutions to Integrate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism into Their Codes of Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
March 24, 2025 IN HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
March 24, 2025 NJ A 3361 Establishes a Limit on Rent Increases for Certain Dwelling Sites for Modular or Industrialized Buildings or Manufactured Homes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 24, 2025 IN HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
March 24, 2025 ID H 380 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 24, 2025 ID H 270 Increases Indecent Exposure Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
March 24, 2025 OR SB 868 Requires the Department of Education to Develop a Formula to Calculate the Cost of Special Education Programs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 SB 444 Amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 SB 220 Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/03 SB 1441 Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 6)
4/03 S 1211 Authorizes Ivermectin to Be Sold Over the Counter Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/02 HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 13)
4/02 HB 1022 Appropriates Infrastructure Loan Investments under the Legacy Fund Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 3)
4/02 HB 930 Appropriates $25 Million for State Abortion Grants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/02 PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
4/02 S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
4/02 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 - Senate (26 - 2)
4/02 SB 544 Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from Owning Pharmacies and Selling Drugs on Retail Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/02 SB 475 Establishes Reforms Intended to Modernize and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Problem Solving Courts Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/02 SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/02 SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
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 HB 1511 Requires Doctors Who Perform Abortion to Complete Additional Education on State Abortion Bans Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
4/01 H 135 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants From Accessing Publicly Funded Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
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 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
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)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
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 SB 379 Limits SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/31 SB 490 Prohibits Monetary Bail Release for Individuals With Prior Violent Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
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)
3/28 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 LB 415 Exempts Small Businesses, Minors, and Temporary Agriculture Workers from Receiving Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
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 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 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 695 Authorizes Medicaid Oversight and Work Requirements Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding 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 - Senate (36 - 2)
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 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 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 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 79 Exempts Certain Health Insurance Plans From Federal Protections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
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 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 SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
3/26 SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
3/26 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/26 SB 227 Increases the Tax Credit for the Redevelopment of Historic Structures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
3/26 SB 215 Establishes the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/26 SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
3/26 SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/26 SB 672 Prohibits the Governor from Closing Any Business During a Pandemic Without Documented Scientific Evidence that the Nature of the Business Contributes to the Spread of the Disease Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
3/25 HB 1114 Limits Out-of-Pocket Costs for a Monthly Supply of Insulin to $25 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
3/25 HB 340 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Schools from Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 2)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
3/25 PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
3/25 SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
3/25 SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/25 SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/25 SB 942 Requires Public Schools and Higher Education Institutions to Integrate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism into Their Codes of Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
3/24 PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
3/24 HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
3/24 A 3361 Establishes a Limit on Rent Increases for Certain Dwelling Sites for Modular or Industrialized Buildings or Manufactured Homes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/24 HB 1393 Requires Law Enforcement to Report Arrestees for Suspected Illegal Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
3/24 H 380 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/24 H 270 Increases Indecent Exposure Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
3/24 SB 868 Requires the Department of Education to Develop a Formula to Calculate the Cost of Special Education Programs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)

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