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
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 38)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 52)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
March 27, 2025 National HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 27, 2025 MO HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
March 27, 2025 MO HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
March 27, 2025 OK HB 2043 Amends the Energy Discrimination Act by Removing Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - House (60 - 30)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 21)
March 26, 2025 KS HB 2016 Requires an Obituary Notice from a Funeral Grounds to Remove an Individual from the Voter Rolls Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 26)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 26, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 26, 2025 KS HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
March 26, 2025 National PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
March 26, 2025 WV SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 26, 2025 OK SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - House (95 - 1)
March 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
March 25, 2025 KS HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
March 25, 2025 KS HB 2304 Requires Local Governments to Report Certain Local Economic Development Incentive Program Information to the Kansas Department of Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 37)
March 25, 2025 KS HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
March 25, 2025 National PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 44)
March 25, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
March 25, 2025 National PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 25)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
March 25, 2025 IA HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 25, 2025 IA HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 25, 2025 OR SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 25, 2025 IA SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 25, 2025 OK SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
March 25, 2025 IA HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/27 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
3/27 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 38)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
3/27 HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 52)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
3/27 HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
3/27 HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
3/27 SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/27 HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
3/27 HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
3/27 HB 2043 Amends the Energy Discrimination Act by Removing Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - House (60 - 30)
3/26 SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 21)
3/26 HB 2016 Requires an Obituary Notice from a Funeral Grounds to Remove an Individual from the Voter Rolls Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 26)
3/26 SB 44 Prohibits and Defines Antisemitism Into State Statute Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 1)
3/26 PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/26 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/26 HB 2228 Requires that Political Subdivisions Hold an Open Meeting to Discuss a Contingency Fee Contract for Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/26 PN 12-37 Nomination of Aaron Reitz to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
3/26 PN 12-15 Nomination of Michael Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
3/26 SB 705 Requires New Rules from the State Board of Education to be Submitted to the Legislative Rule Making Committee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/26 SB 995 Requires Legislative Approval for Final Rule Adoption Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/26 HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - House (95 - 1)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
3/25 HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
3/25 HB 2304 Requires Local Governments to Report Certain Local Economic Development Incentive Program Information to the Kansas Department of Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 37)
3/25 HB 2060 Reduces Ethics Laws Related to Travel Expense Transparency for State Politicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 47)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
3/25 PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
3/25 PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 44)
3/25 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
3/25 PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
3/25 PN 12-28 Nomination of Martin Makary to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs in the Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
3/25 PN 13-8 Nomination of Michael Kratsios to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (73 - 25)
3/25 PN 12-2 Nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
3/25 HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/25 HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/25 SB 1038 Establishes Year Round Standard Time in Oregon if California and Washington Also Agree Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/25 SF 507 Prohibits and Repeals County and City Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/25 SB 991 Requires the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism be Adopted into State Law Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
3/25 HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)

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