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
Nov. 5, 2025 National PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) (57 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2025 National PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
Nov. 5, 2025 MA H 4706 Establishes a State Caregiver Commission and Amends Regulations Regarding Home Care Bill Passed - House (153 - 1)
Oct. 30, 2025 IL SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 20)
Oct. 30, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - House (99 - 4)
Oct. 22, 2025 NC SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - House (104 - 7)
Oct. 22, 2025 NC SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
Oct. 22, 2025 MA H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
Oct. 21, 2025 MI SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 21, 2025 NC SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
Oct. 21, 2025 NC SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 168 Authorizes Felony Fraud Claims Related to Unemployment to be Prosecuted up to 8 Years After a Crime was Committed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 169 Authorizes an Employer to Report to the Department of Workforce Development an Unemployment Recipient who Declines or Fails to Show up to a Job Interview or Declines a Job Offer Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 8, 2025 MI HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 3, 2025 MI HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 1, 2025 MI HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
Sept. 19, 2025 National H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 713 Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget. Resolution Tabled - House (214 - 213)
Sept. 17, 2025 National HR 5125 District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 211)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 2721 Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (413 - 0)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Sept. 15, 2025 National HR 3400 Territorial Response and Access to Veterans' Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (371 - 21)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 53 Requires Artificial Intelligence Companies to Publish and Adhere to Safety Guidelines in Order to Mitigate Catastrophic Risks Associated with AI Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 703 Requires Trucking Companies to Provide Certain Information to Ports Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 500 Authorizes Utilities to Provide Energy Use Data Via an Approved Alternative System or Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 18)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 476 Requires Junk Dealers and Recyclers to Include Additional Written Information Relating the Sale and Purchase of Junk Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 703 Requires Trucking Companies to Provide Certain Information to Ports Bill Passed - House (66 - 10)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 53 Requires Artificial Intelligence Companies to Publish and Adhere to Safety Guidelines in Order to Mitigate Catastrophic Risks Associated with AI Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 361 Requires Data Brokers to Issue Data Collection Information to the California Privacy Protection Agency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 766 Prohibits Misleading Practices in the Auto Sale Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/05 PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) (57 - 43)
11/05 PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
11/05 H 4706 Establishes a State Caregiver Commission and Amends Regulations Regarding Home Care Bill Passed - House (153 - 1)
10/30 SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 20)
10/30 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - House (99 - 4)
10/22 SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - House (104 - 7)
10/22 SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - House (66 - 48)
10/22 H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
10/21 SB 596 Amends Requirements for Legislatively Directed Spending Items Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/21 SB 777 Establishes Appointments for Various Public Offices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
10/21 SB 249 Amends State Congressional Districts 1 and 3 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/16 S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/16 S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/16 S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/14 AB 168 Authorizes Felony Fraud Claims Related to Unemployment to be Prosecuted up to 8 Years After a Crime was Committed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/14 AB 169 Authorizes an Employer to Report to the Department of Workforce Development an Unemployment Recipient who Declines or Fails to Show up to a Job Interview or Declines a Job Offer Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/08 HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
10/08 S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
10/07 HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
10/07 HB 18 Establishes New Regulations Regarding Review Hearing for Incapacitated Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/03 HB 4181 Repeals the Sales Tax on Gas and Airline Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/01 HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
9/19 H Res 719 Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. Resolution Passed - House (310 - 58)
9/17 H Res 713 Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget. Resolution Tabled - House (214 - 213)
9/17 HR 5125 District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 211)
9/17 H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
9/16 HR 2721 Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (413 - 0)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
9/15 HR 3400 Territorial Response and Access to Veterans' Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (371 - 21)
9/13 SB 53 Requires Artificial Intelligence Companies to Publish and Adhere to Safety Guidelines in Order to Mitigate Catastrophic Risks Associated with AI Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/13 SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/13 SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/13 SB 703 Requires Trucking Companies to Provide Certain Information to Ports Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/12 SB 500 Authorizes Utilities to Provide Energy Use Data Via an Approved Alternative System or Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/12 AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 18)
9/12 AB 476 Requires Junk Dealers and Recyclers to Include Additional Written Information Relating the Sale and Purchase of Junk Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 0)
9/12 SB 703 Requires Trucking Companies to Provide Certain Information to Ports Bill Passed - House (66 - 10)
9/12 SB 53 Requires Artificial Intelligence Companies to Publish and Adhere to Safety Guidelines in Order to Mitigate Catastrophic Risks Associated with AI Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
9/12 SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
9/12 SB 294 Establishes Requirements Related to Paid Sick Time Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
9/11 SB 361 Requires Data Brokers to Issue Data Collection Information to the California Privacy Protection Agency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/11 SB 766 Prohibits Misleading Practices in the Auto Sale Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/11 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 20)

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