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. 25, 2025 ID H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 ID H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 NC HB 47 Appropriates $500 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 NM HB 12 Reduces Requirements for Law Enforcement to Temporarily Suspend Access to Firearms Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2025 NM HB 12 Reduces Requirements for Law Enforcement to Temporarily Suspend Access to Firearms Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2025 WA SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Feb. 25, 2025 AL SB 118 Amends Judges' Authority to Deny Bail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 CO HB 25-1133 Requires Individuals Delivering Ammunition to Confirm Age of Purchaser Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2025 ND SB 2128 Increases State Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2025 NJ S 2886 Requires Pharmacies to Share Information on Insulin Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2025 National HR 804 Rural Small Business Resilience Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2025 MO SB 3 Increases Certain Service Fees at License Offices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2025 WY HB 234 Increases Sportsmen's Credit Card Purchase Privacy Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 17)
Feb. 21, 2025 NM HB 8 Establishes Enhanced Penalties for Several Crimes and Criminal Competency Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2025 GA SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Feb. 21, 2025 SD HB 1116 Repeals a Reporting Requirement Regarding Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - House (66 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2025 GA SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 20, 2025 NH HB 207 Reduces Certain Weapon Restrictions and Bans "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (207 - 162)
Feb. 20, 2025 NH HB 53 Authorizes Approved Medical Cannabis Patients and Caregivers to Grow up to 3 Mature Cannabis Plants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (328 - 42)
Feb. 20, 2025 MO SB 60 Amends Existing Law Making Manufacturing or Possessing Meth an Act of Child Endangerment Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2164 Authorizes Individuals Who Are 20 Years of Age or Older to Apply for Certification as a Police Officer Bill Passed - House (97 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2025 SD HB 1174 Amends Certain Provisions Related to the Rights and Obligations of a Father of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2025 KS HB 2359 Establishes the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 34)
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 WA HB 1130 Requires the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration Prioritize Specified Populations when Enrolling Eligible Clients Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2025 WA HB 1484 Increases Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Rape Resulting in a Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 WA HB 1484 Increases Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Rape Resulting in a Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 WA HB 1720 Expands Medication Assistance to Residents in Community-Based Settings Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 SD HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
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 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 MO HB 495 Transfers State Control of the St. Louis Police Department to a Governor Appointed Board Bill Passed - House (106 - 47)
Feb. 20, 2025 IA HF 180 Requires Individuals Convicted of Grooming to Register as Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (87 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2025 AL SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 OR HB 2933 Authorizes Amendments Made by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Relating to Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (33 - 18)
Feb. 20, 2025 NM HB 10 Establishes a Law Enforcement Bureau in New Mexico to Regulate Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
Feb. 20, 2025 NM HB 10 Establishes a Law Enforcement Bureau in New Mexico to Regulate Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
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 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/25 H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
2/25 H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
2/25 HB 47 Appropriates $500 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
2/25 HB 12 Reduces Requirements for Law Enforcement to Temporarily Suspend Access to Firearms Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
2/25 HB 12 Reduces Requirements for Law Enforcement to Temporarily Suspend Access to Firearms Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
2/25 SB 5128 Amends Medical Services for Individuals in Juvenile Detention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
2/25 SB 118 Amends Judges' Authority to Deny Bail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
2/25 HB 25-1133 Requires Individuals Delivering Ammunition to Confirm Age of Purchaser Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
2/25 SB 2128 Increases State Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
2/25 S 2886 Requires Pharmacies to Share Information on Insulin Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/25 HR 804 Rural Small Business Resilience Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 8)
2/24 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
2/24 SB 3 Increases Certain Service Fees at License Offices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/21 HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
2/21 HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
2/21 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
2/21 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
2/21 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 2)
2/21 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 2)
2/21 HB 234 Increases Sportsmen's Credit Card Purchase Privacy Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 17)
2/21 HB 8 Establishes Enhanced Penalties for Several Crimes and Criminal Competency Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 3)
2/21 SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
2/21 HB 1116 Repeals a Reporting Requirement Regarding Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - House (66 - 3)
2/21 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/21 SB 68 Establishes New Guidelines for Personal Injury Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
2/20 HB 207 Reduces Certain Weapon Restrictions and Bans "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (207 - 162)
2/20 HB 53 Authorizes Approved Medical Cannabis Patients and Caregivers to Grow up to 3 Mature Cannabis Plants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (328 - 42)
2/20 SB 60 Amends Existing Law Making Manufacturing or Possessing Meth an Act of Child Endangerment Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
2/20 HB 2164 Authorizes Individuals Who Are 20 Years of Age or Older to Apply for Certification as a Police Officer Bill Passed - House (97 - 4)
2/20 HB 1174 Amends Certain Provisions Related to the Rights and Obligations of a Father of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
2/20 HB 2359 Establishes the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 34)
2/20 SB 197 Establishes a Class C Misdemeanor to Use Public Land for Long-Term Shelter Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
2/20 HB 1130 Requires the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration Prioritize Specified Populations when Enrolling Eligible Clients Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
2/20 HB 1484 Increases Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Rape Resulting in a Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
2/20 HB 1484 Increases Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Rape Resulting in a Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
2/20 HB 1720 Expands Medication Assistance to Residents in Community-Based Settings Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
2/20 HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
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 HB 495 Transfers State Control of the St. Louis Police Department to a Governor Appointed Board Bill Passed - House (106 - 47)
2/20 HF 180 Requires Individuals Convicted of Grooming to Register as Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (87 - 5)
2/20 SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/20 HB 2933 Authorizes Amendments Made by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Relating to Sentencing Guidelines Bill Passed - House (33 - 18)
2/20 HB 10 Establishes a Law Enforcement Bureau in New Mexico to Regulate Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
2/20 HB 10 Establishes a Law Enforcement Bureau in New Mexico to Regulate Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
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 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)

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