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
Sept. 29, 2025 PA HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC HB 358 Appropriates Funds for Disaster Relief and Extends Other Funds to Future Fiscal Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 4)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC SB 13 Increases the Penalty for Acts of Violence that are Politically Motivated Bill Passed - House (105 - 6)
Sept. 23, 2025 SD SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Sept. 23, 2025 SD SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 22, 2025 NC HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 22, 2025 NC HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 18, 2025 MI SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Sept. 17, 2025 National HR 5143 District of Columbia Policing Protection Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
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 MI HB 4717 Establishes Another Tool or Option for Law Enforcement to Penalize Those Involved in Insurance Fraud Schemes Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4714 Authorizes New Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4718 Requires Insurers to Report Likely Fraud to DIFS Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4716 Authorizes a Wider Range of Offenses to Allow Increased Punishment for Fraud Offenders Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 4922 DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 179)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4664 Increases the Penalty for Blocking a Highway During a Protest Bill Passed - House (61 - 42)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4719 Authorizes Civil Fines in Addition to Criminal Penalties to Deter Fraud Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1108 Requires 3rd Party Medical Examiners to Determine Cause of Death for Police Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1108 Requires 3rd Party Medical Examiners to Determine Cause of Death for Police Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 0)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 418 Prohibits Discrimination in Health Insurance Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 805 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to be Readily Identifiable Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2025 National HR 3486 Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
Sept. 11, 2025 MI HB 4598 Establishes Gift Card Fraud as an Offense in the Organized Retail Crime Act Bill Passed - House (103 - 1)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 524 Establishes Restrictions on the Use of Artificial Intelligence by Law Enforcement Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 41 Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers from Requiring Use of Only an Affiliated Pharmacy and from Discriminating Against Non-Affiliated Pharmacies in Connection with Dispensing Drugs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 497 Prohibits Information Sharing Regarding Individuals Seeking Gender-Affirming Care or With Controlled Substance History Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 260 Establishes Protections for Pharmacists, Doctors and Hospitals from Penalties for Dispensing the Abortion Pill Mifepristone to Out-of-State Patients, and Removes the Names of Patients and Providers from Abortion Medication Prescriptions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 12)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 312 Requires Dog Importers to Submit Health Certifications to the CDFA Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 247 Increases the Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Firefighters Fighting Active Wildfires to $7.25 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 418 Prohibits Discrimination in Health Insurance Enrollment Bill Passed - House (60 - 18)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 15 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Review the Casefile of an Open Unsolved Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA SB 642 Establishes the State Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions Brought Under Section 1197.5 of the California Labor Code at 3 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/29 HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
9/23 HB 358 Appropriates Funds for Disaster Relief and Extends Other Funds to Future Fiscal Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 4)
9/23 HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
9/23 HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 31)
9/23 SB 13 Increases the Penalty for Acts of Violence that are Politically Motivated Bill Passed - House (105 - 6)
9/23 SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
9/23 SB 2 (Special Session) Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Construct a Prison Facility in Minnehaha County Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/22 HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/22 HB 307 Amends Various Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/18 SB 294 Increases Penalties and Authorizes Restitution in Animal Abuse Cases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
9/17 HR 5143 District of Columbia Policing Protection Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
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 HB 4717 Establishes Another Tool or Option for Law Enforcement to Penalize Those Involved in Insurance Fraud Schemes Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4714 Authorizes New Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4718 Requires Insurers to Report Likely Fraud to DIFS Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
9/16 HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HB 4716 Authorizes a Wider Range of Offenses to Allow Increased Punishment for Fraud Offenders Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/16 HR 4922 DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 179)
9/16 HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
9/16 HB 4664 Increases the Penalty for Blocking a Highway During a Protest Bill Passed - House (61 - 42)
9/16 HB 4719 Authorizes Civil Fines in Addition to Criminal Penalties to Deter Fraud Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
9/13 AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
9/13 SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
9/13 AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 17)
9/12 SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/12 SB 258 Expands the Scope of Crime for Rape and Removes the Spousal Clause Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/12 SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
9/12 AB 1108 Requires 3rd Party Medical Examiners to Determine Cause of Death for Police Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/12 AB 1108 Requires 3rd Party Medical Examiners to Determine Cause of Death for Police Custody Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/12 AB 1127 Prohibits the Sale of Pistols that can be Converted to Fully Automatic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/12 AB 1079 Repeals the Automatic Stay of Judgment in Voting Rights and Fair Maps Cases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
9/11 AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 0)
9/11 SB 418 Prohibits Discrimination in Health Insurance Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/11 SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
9/11 SB 805 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to be Readily Identifiable Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/11 HR 3486 Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
9/11 HB 4598 Establishes Gift Card Fraud as an Offense in the Organized Retail Crime Act Bill Passed - House (103 - 1)
9/10 SB 524 Establishes Restrictions on the Use of Artificial Intelligence by Law Enforcement Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
9/10 SB 41 Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers from Requiring Use of Only an Affiliated Pharmacy and from Discriminating Against Non-Affiliated Pharmacies in Connection with Dispensing Drugs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/10 SB 497 Prohibits Information Sharing Regarding Individuals Seeking Gender-Affirming Care or With Controlled Substance History Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/10 AB 260 Establishes Protections for Pharmacists, Doctors and Hospitals from Penalties for Dispensing the Abortion Pill Mifepristone to Out-of-State Patients, and Removes the Names of Patients and Providers from Abortion Medication Prescriptions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 12)
9/10 AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
9/10 AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
9/10 SB 312 Requires Dog Importers to Submit Health Certifications to the CDFA Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/10 AB 247 Increases the Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Firefighters Fighting Active Wildfires to $7.25 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/10 SB 418 Prohibits Discrimination in Health Insurance Enrollment Bill Passed - House (60 - 18)
9/09 AB 15 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Review the Casefile of an Open Unsolved Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
9/09 SB 642 Establishes the State Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions Brought Under Section 1197.5 of the California Labor Code at 3 Years Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)

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