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 10, 2025 IL SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
April 10, 2025 AR SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 10, 2025 OR SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 10, 2025 National HR 22 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 208)
April 10, 2025 National HR 22 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 208)
April 9, 2025 WV HB 2013 Authorizes Transfer of Employees to Classified Exempt Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 27)
April 9, 2025 National PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
April 9, 2025 AZ HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 9, 2025 TX SB 14 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
April 9, 2025 ND HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
April 9, 2025 National PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
April 9, 2025 FL SB 7026 Establishes a Larger Centralized Agency to Oversee the State's Technology Projects Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
April 9, 2025 National H Res 313 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing 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, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 215)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 1607 Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
April 9, 2025 National HR 1526 No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
April 8, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
April 8, 2025 WV HB 2013 Authorizes Transfer of Employees to Classified Exempt Services Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 8, 2025 HI HB 300 Appropriates Funding for the $19.9 Billion State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 8, 2025 OR SB 951 Prohibits Management Services Organizations From Exerting Control Over Medical Practices and Restricts Certain Contractual Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 8, 2025 AR SB 520 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 7, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1424 Appropriates State Funding to Assist Laid-Off Federal Workers and Expands Attorney General Power to Pursue Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 7, 2025 IA HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 AR HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
April 7, 2025 AR HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
April 7, 2025 AR HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
April 7, 2025 IA SF 303 Prohibits County Boards of Supervisors and City Councils from Placing Additional Restrictions on Fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, and December 31st Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 6, 2025 CO SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
April 5, 2025 MT SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
April 4, 2025 GA HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 1)
April 4, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
April 4, 2025 GA HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 5)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
April 4, 2025 ND HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 3, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing 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 (52 - 48)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 3, 2025 AR HB 1365 Repeals Racial and Gender Quotas and Other DEI Qualifications of Membership for Certain Boards, Committees, Councils, and Commissions Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 3, 2025 MO HB 5 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - House (149 - 3)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 2, 2025 VA HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
April 2, 2025 VA HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 44)
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 PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 2, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
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 TX HB 13 Establishes the Texas Interoperability Council Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
April 2, 2025 TX HB 13 Establishes the Texas Interoperability Council Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
April 2, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
April 1, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
April 1, 2025 TX HJR 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Would Ban the Legislature from Imposing a Tax on Financial Trades Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
April 1, 2025 AR HB 1821 Establishes a More Sustainable System of Property Insurance for State Owned Property Bill Passed - House (89 - 5)
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 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
4/10 SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/10 SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/10 HR 22 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 208)
4/10 HR 22 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 208)
4/09 HB 2013 Authorizes Transfer of Employees to Classified Exempt Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 27)
4/09 PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
4/09 HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/09 SB 14 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
4/09 HB 1263 Amends State Criminal Records Sealing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
4/09 PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
4/09 SB 7026 Establishes a Larger Centralized Agency to Oversee the State's Technology Projects Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
4/09 H Res 313 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing 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, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 215)
4/09 SB 1607 Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
4/09 HR 1526 No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
4/09 SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
4/09 SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
4/08 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
4/08 HB 2013 Authorizes Transfer of Employees to Classified Exempt Services Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/08 HB 300 Appropriates Funding for the $19.9 Billion State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
4/08 PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/08 PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
4/08 PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/08 SB 951 Prohibits Management Services Organizations From Exerting Control Over Medical Practices and Restricts Certain Contractual Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/08 SB 520 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
4/07 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/07 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/07 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
4/07 HB 1259 Prohibits the Observation of Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 32)
4/07 HB 1424 Appropriates State Funding to Assist Laid-Off Federal Workers and Expands Attorney General Power to Pursue Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/07 HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
4/07 HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
4/07 HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
4/07 SF 303 Prohibits County Boards of Supervisors and City Councils from Placing Additional Restrictions on Fireworks on July 3rd, 4th, and December 31st Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/06 SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
4/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/05 HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
4/05 HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
4/05 SB 379 Requires All State Agencies to Have a Written Consultation Policy, a Definition of Consultation, and an Employee Designated as a Tribal Liaison Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/05 HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
4/05 HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
4/04 HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 1)
4/04 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
4/04 HB 68 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 5)
4/04 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
4/04 HB 1442 Establishes a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 4)
4/04 HB 1258 Amends the Authority for Large Energy Developments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/03 H Con Res 14 Establishing 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 (52 - 48)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/03 HB 1365 Repeals Racial and Gender Quotas and Other DEI Qualifications of Membership for Certain Boards, Committees, Councils, and Commissions Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
4/03 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/03 HB 5 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 State Budget Bill Passed - House (149 - 3)
4/03 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/02 HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
4/02 HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 44)
4/02 PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
4/02 PN 12-39 Nomination of Dean Sauer to be Solicitor General of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/02 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
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 HB 13 Establishes the Texas Interoperability Council Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
4/02 HB 13 Establishes the Texas Interoperability Council Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
4/02 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
4/01 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
4/01 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
4/01 HJR 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Would Ban the Legislature from Imposing a Tax on Financial Trades Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
4/01 HB 1821 Establishes a More Sustainable System of Property Insurance for State Owned Property Bill Passed - House (89 - 5)
4/01 SB 8 Requires Local Law Enforcement Assist the Federal Government in Deportation Efforts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)

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