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
Feb. 21, 2025 WV SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2025 GA SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Feb. 21, 2025 ND SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
Feb. 20, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 MO SB 167 Requires the Protection of the First Person to Call 911 in Incidents Involving Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 ND SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2025 IN SB 197 Establishes a Class C Misdemeanor to Use Public Land for Long-Term Shelter Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2025 NE LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2025 AL SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 CO SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2025 AZ SB 1256 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs for Purposes of Hiring, Training, or Promotion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2025 KS SB 197 Authorizes Redevelopment of Certain Mall Facilities with STAR bond. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2025 KS SB 67 Authorizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to Prescribe and Administer Drugs Consistent with Registered Nurse Anesthetist's Education and Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
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. 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 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2025 OH SB 6 Amends Code Related to Building Inspection Fees and Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
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 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 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 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 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 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 CO SB 25-005 Repeals the Requirement for a Second Election in the Collective Bargaining Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
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 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2025 AR SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
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. 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 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. 14, 2025 NM SB 3 Establishes the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act 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 GA SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
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 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 AL SB 55 Prohibits Use of Driver's Licenses Issued Without Proof of Legal Residency in the United States Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 3 Repeals Affirmative Action Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2025 National PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 12, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2025 MS SB 2267 Establishes a Centralized Database for the State of Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2025 NC SB 24 Requires Any New Benefits Mandated by State Law to Also Apply to the State Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2025 MT HB 121 Requires Individuals to Use Facilities that Correspond with Their Biological Sex at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2025 MS SB 2654 Authorizes Early Voting 15-Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2025 CO SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2025 ID SCR 103 Establishes Bipartisan Working Group to Study Housing Availability and Affordability Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2025 ID SCR 103 Establishes Bipartisan Working Group to Study Housing Availability and Affordability Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2025 WY HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 6, 2025 MS SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2025 IN SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 6, 2025 AL SB 79 Defines "Gender" to be Based on Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2025 MS SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2025 National PN 11-14 Nomination of Eric Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
Feb. 5, 2025 TX SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2025 WA SB 5181 Amends Parental Bill of Rights to be in Alignment with State Law Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 5, 2025 AR SB 182 Requires Local Governments to Continue Operating Under Annual Appropriation Ordinances Until a New Ordinance is Adopted Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Feb. 4, 2025 National PN 11-14 Nomination of Eric Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 4, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2025 MT SB 164 Establishes a Felony Charge for a Parent to Seek Care or for Their Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 4, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2025 WY SF 69 Establishes Property Tax Exemption for Single Family Homes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/21 SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/21 SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
2/21 SB 2400 Authorizes Private School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/20 SB 167 Requires the Protection of the First Person to Call 911 in Incidents Involving Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/20 SB 2307 Requires Libraries Remove Explicit Materials from Main Areas Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/20 SB 197 Establishes a Class C Misdemeanor to Use Public Land for Long-Term Shelter Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
2/20 LB 34 Establishes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
2/20 LB 302 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
2/20 SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/20 SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/20 SB 1256 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs for Purposes of Hiring, Training, or Promotion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/19 HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 SB 197 Authorizes Redevelopment of Certain Mall Facilities with STAR bond. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/19 SB 67 Authorizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to Prescribe and Administer Drugs Consistent with Registered Nurse Anesthetist's Education and Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/19 SB 244 Requires Insurance Coverage for Standardized, Evidence-Based Behavioral and Mental Health Screenings and Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
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 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/19 SB 6 Amends Code Related to Building Inspection Fees and Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/18 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
2/18 H 7 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Fine of $300 for Anyone Convicted of Cannabis Possession Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
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 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 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 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 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 SB 25-005 Repeals the Requirement for a Second Election in the Collective Bargaining Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/18 SB 196 Requires the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings be Incorporated in School Curriculum Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
2/18 SB 219 Requires Schools to Take Cash as Payment for School Events Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/17 SB 184 Increases the Powers and Duties of the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
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)
2/14 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 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)
2/14 SB 3 Establishes the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act 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 SB 21 Repeals Sanctuary City Lawsuit Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
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 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 SB 55 Prohibits Use of Driver's Licenses Issued Without Proof of Legal Residency in the United States Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/12 SB 3 Repeals Affirmative Action Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/12 PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
2/12 HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/12 SB 2267 Establishes a Centralized Database for the State of Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
2/12 SB 24 Requires Any New Benefits Mandated by State Law to Also Apply to the State Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
2/11 HB 121 Requires Individuals to Use Facilities that Correspond with Their Biological Sex at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/11 SB 2654 Authorizes Early Voting 15-Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/11 SB 25-062 Prohibits Failure to Appear in Court from Being Charged as a Separate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/10 SCR 103 Establishes Bipartisan Working Group to Study Housing Availability and Affordability Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/10 SCR 103 Establishes Bipartisan Working Group to Study Housing Availability and Affordability Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/06 HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/06 PN 11-8 Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/06 PN 11-9 Nomination of Howard Lutnick to be Secretary of Commerce Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/06 SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/06 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
2/06 SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/06 SB 79 Defines "Gender" to be Based on Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
2/06 SB 2515 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/05 PN 11-14 Nomination of Eric Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
2/05 SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/05 SB 5181 Amends Parental Bill of Rights to be in Alignment with State Law Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/05 SB 182 Requires Local Governments to Continue Operating Under Annual Appropriation Ordinances Until a New Ordinance is Adopted Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
2/04 PN 11-14 Nomination of Eric Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
2/04 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/04 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
2/04 SB 164 Establishes a Felony Charge for a Parent to Seek Care or for Their Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/04 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/04 SF 69 Establishes Property Tax Exemption for Single Family Homes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)

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