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 25, 2021 NY A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
May 25, 2021 MI SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 25, 2021 MI HB 4501 Prohibits Levying Fines Towards Businesses for Violations of COVID-19 Emergency Orders Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 24, 2021 TX SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - House (81 - 62)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 24, 2021 OR SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
May 23, 2021 TX HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 62)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 21, 2021 NV AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 20, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
May 20, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 20, 2021 NJ A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
May 20, 2021 DE HB 125 Amends Various Firearm Regulations and Outlaws Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
May 19, 2021 National HR 3233 National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 175)
May 18, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
May 18, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
May 18, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
May 18, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
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 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 17, 2021 IA SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
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 CA AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
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 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 12, 2021 OH HB 229 Establishes Qualified Immunity for Camp Counselors Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
May 12, 2021 IL HB 1092 Establishes Restraining Orders for Firearms Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
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 SC H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
May 6, 2021 MN HF 2539 Establishes a "Sign and Release Warrant" Bill Passed - House (73 - 59)
May 6, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
May 5, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
May 5, 2021 SC S 200 Establishes the Firing Squad as an Alternative Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 5, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 5, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/25 A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
5/25 SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/25 HB 4501 Prohibits Levying Fines Towards Businesses for Violations of COVID-19 Emergency Orders Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
5/24 HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/24 SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - House (81 - 62)
5/24 HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/24 SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
5/23 HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 62)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/21 AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/20 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
5/20 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/20 A 4681 Amends Sentencing Laws to Allow Individuals to Join Community Release Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 11)
5/20 HB 125 Amends Various Firearm Regulations and Outlaws Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
5/19 HR 3233 National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 175)
5/18 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
5/18 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
5/18 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
5/18 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
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)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/17 SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
5/14 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
5/14 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (97 - 57)
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 AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/12 HB 229 Establishes Qualified Immunity for Camp Counselors Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
5/12 HB 1092 Establishes Restraining Orders for Firearms Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
5/11 SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/11 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
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 H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
5/06 HF 2539 Establishes a "Sign and Release Warrant" Bill Passed - House (73 - 59)
5/06 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
5/05 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
5/05 S 200 Establishes the Firing Squad as an Alternative Method of Execution Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/05 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/05 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)

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