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. 10, 2025 CA SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
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 268 Establishes Diwali as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 268 Establishes Diwali as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
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 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 14 Establishes a New Program that Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 9, 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 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 831 Prohibits the Facilitation or Usage of Online Sweepstakes Games that Utilize a Dual-Currency System Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 764 Authorizes Hunters and Landowners to Kill Invasive Species Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 764 Authorizes Hunters and Landowners to Kill Invasive Species Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 1269 Requires County and City Jails to Ask Inmates to Provide Emergency Contact Information Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 1269 Requires County and City Jails to Ask Inmates to Provide Emergency Contact Information Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 506 Expands Requirements for Disclosures Included in Pet Sales Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 15 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Review the Casefile of an Open Unsolved Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Sept. 3, 2025 TX SB 8 (2nd Special Session) Limits the Use of Restrooms in Certain Public Buildings Based on Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
Sept. 3, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Sept. 3, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Sept. 3, 2025 CA AB 1042 Authorizes the Department of Food and Agriculture to Establish and Oversee the Managed Honeybee Health Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 3, 2025 CA AB 309 Extends the Authorization for Physicians and Pharmacists to Provide Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Without Prescription or Permit Indefinitely Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA AB 516 Authorizes Registered Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants to Perform Certain Animal Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Aug. 26, 2025 MI SB 360 Reduces Data Breaches Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2025 MI SB 361 Amends References to Identity Theft Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2025 MI SB 364 Amends References to Identity Theft Protection Act in the Code of Criminal Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2025 MI SB 362 Reduces Data Breaches by Requiring Companies that Collect, Store, or Access Personal Information to Implement Stronger Security Measures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2025 MI SB 363 Amends References to Identity Theft and Consumer Protections Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 14 (Special Session) Prohibits the Release of Police Personnel Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 6 (Special Session) Prohibits the Manufacture, Distribution, Mailing, Transport, Delivery, and Prescribing of Abortion-Inducing Pills Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 10 (Special Session) Establishes Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Aug. 6, 2025 TX SB 7 (Special Session) Limits the Designation and Use of Certain Public Spaces and Facilities According to Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
Aug. 6, 2025 TX SB 15 (Special Session) Prohibits Title Theft and Deed Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
Aug. 1, 2025 TX SB 11 (Special Session) Authorizes the State Attorney General the Power to Prosecute Election Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
July 31, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
July 29, 2025 NC HB 805 Defines Sex in North Carolina State Law Based on Biological Attributes and Amends Relevant Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 NC HB 805 Defines Sex in North Carolina State Law Based on Biological Attributes and Amends Relevant Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/10 SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/10 SB 312 Requires Dog Importers to Submit Health Certifications to the CDFA Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/10 AB 268 Establishes Diwali as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/10 AB 268 Establishes Diwali as a State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/10 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/10 AB 247 Increases the Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Firefighters Fighting Active Wildfires to $7.25 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/10 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/10 AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/09 AB 14 Establishes a New Program that Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/09 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 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/09 AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/08 AB 831 Prohibits the Facilitation or Usage of Online Sweepstakes Games that Utilize a Dual-Currency System Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/08 AB 764 Authorizes Hunters and Landowners to Kill Invasive Species Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/08 AB 764 Authorizes Hunters and Landowners to Kill Invasive Species Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/08 AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/08 AB 1269 Requires County and City Jails to Ask Inmates to Provide Emergency Contact Information Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/08 AB 1269 Requires County and City Jails to Ask Inmates to Provide Emergency Contact Information Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/08 AB 506 Expands Requirements for Disclosures Included in Pet Sales Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
9/08 AB 15 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Review the Casefile of an Open Unsolved Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
9/03 SB 8 (2nd Special Session) Limits the Use of Restrooms in Certain Public Buildings Based on Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
9/03 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
9/03 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
9/03 AB 1042 Authorizes the Department of Food and Agriculture to Establish and Oversee the Managed Honeybee Health Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/03 AB 309 Extends the Authorization for Physicians and Pharmacists to Provide Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Without Prescription or Permit Indefinitely Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/02 SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/02 SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/02 AB 516 Authorizes Registered Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants to Perform Certain Animal Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/27 HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
8/26 SB 360 Reduces Data Breaches Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/26 SB 361 Amends References to Identity Theft Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/26 SB 364 Amends References to Identity Theft Protection Act in the Code of Criminal Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/26 SB 362 Reduces Data Breaches by Requiring Companies that Collect, Store, or Access Personal Information to Implement Stronger Security Measures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/26 SB 363 Amends References to Identity Theft and Consumer Protections Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
8/12 HB 257 Establishes Regulations for Public Transportation Authorities and Appropriates or Transfers Funds From the Interactive Gaming Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
8/12 SB 14 (Special Session) Prohibits the Release of Police Personnel Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
8/12 SB 6 (Special Session) Prohibits the Manufacture, Distribution, Mailing, Transport, Delivery, and Prescribing of Abortion-Inducing Pills Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
8/12 SB 10 (Special Session) Establishes Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
8/06 SB 7 (Special Session) Limits the Designation and Use of Certain Public Spaces and Facilities According to Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
8/06 SB 15 (Special Session) Prohibits Title Theft and Deed Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
8/02 PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
8/02 PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
8/01 PN 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
8/01 SB 11 (Special Session) Authorizes the State Attorney General the Power to Prosecute Election Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
7/31 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
7/30 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
7/29 HB 805 Defines Sex in North Carolina State Law Based on Biological Attributes and Amends Relevant Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 HB 805 Defines Sex in North Carolina State Law Based on Biological Attributes and Amends Relevant Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)

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