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
May 20, 2021 NJ A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 19, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 65)
May 18, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
May 18, 2021 VT S 101 Expands Affordable Housing Access within Vermont Bill Passed - House (93 - 56)
May 18, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
May 18, 2021 TX SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 18, 2021 RI S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 18, 2021 MI HB 4485 Establishes a Sunset Cap for Taxes on Cigars and Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 17, 2021 IA SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
May 17, 2021 MN HF 2128 Specifies Health and Human Services Policy Bill Passed - House (77 - 57)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
May 13, 2021 NH HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 TX SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
May 13, 2021 TX HB 1838 Increases Oversight of Law Enforcement Intelligence Activities (121 - 22)
May 13, 2021 DE SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
May 13, 2021 CA AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 OH SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
May 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 12, 2021 NC HB 729 Amends the State's Charter School Law Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
May 12, 2021 OH HB 229 Establishes Qualified Immunity for Camp Counselors Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 12, 2021 CO SB 21-246 Extends Assistance to Aid in the Transition to "Healthier" Homes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 11, 2021 MO HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3485 Amends Law Regarding Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
May 11, 2021 MO SB 63 Establishes a Statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Bill Passed - House (91 - 64)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 142 Expands Immunity for Individuals Reporting or Investigating Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
May 11, 2021 WI AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 10, 2021 AK HB 71 Appropriates Funds for the State's Mental Health Budget Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
May 10, 2021 NC HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - House (88 - 25)
May 7, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
May 6, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
May 6, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
May 6, 2021 OH HB 201 Prohibits Local Governments from limiting use of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/19 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/19 LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 65)
5/18 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
5/18 S 101 Expands Affordable Housing Access within Vermont Bill Passed - House (93 - 56)
5/18 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
5/18 SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/18 S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/18 HB 4485 Establishes a Sunset Cap for Taxes on Cigars and Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
5/18 SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/17 SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
5/17 HF 2128 Specifies Health and Human Services Policy Bill Passed - House (77 - 57)
5/14 SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
5/14 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
5/14 HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
5/13 HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
5/13 HB 1838 Increases Oversight of Law Enforcement Intelligence Activities (121 - 22)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/13 AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/12 HB 729 Amends the State's Charter School Law Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
5/12 HB 229 Establishes Qualified Immunity for Camp Counselors Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/12 SB 21-246 Extends Assistance to Aid in the Transition to "Healthier" Homes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/11 HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/11 HB 3485 Amends Law Regarding Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
5/11 SB 63 Establishes a Statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Bill Passed - House (91 - 64)
5/11 AB 142 Expands Immunity for Individuals Reporting or Investigating Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
5/11 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
5/11 AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
5/11 SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/10 HB 71 Appropriates Funds for the State's Mental Health Budget Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
5/10 HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - House (88 - 25)
5/07 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
5/06 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
5/06 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
5/06 HB 201 Prohibits Local Governments from limiting use of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)

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