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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 4, 2021 National H Res 72 Removing a certain Member from certain standing committees of the House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (230 - 199)
Feb. 3, 2021 National H Con Res 11 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 212)
Feb. 3, 2021 UT HB 17 Prohibits Restricting Energy Utility Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 22)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 22)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 AR HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
Feb. 1, 2021 VA HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Jan. 28, 2021 WI SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2021 KS HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2021 NJ S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2021 ID S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
Jan. 27, 2021 IA HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
Jan. 26, 2021 National PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
Jan. 26, 2021 SD SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2021 WI SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 26, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
Jan. 25, 2021 National PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Jan. 22, 2021 National PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
Jan. 22, 2021 KS HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (86 - 38)
Jan. 21, 2021 ID HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Jan. 21, 2021 ID HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Jan. 20, 2021 National PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
Jan. 15, 2021 TN SJR 25 Amends the State Medicaid Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 22)
Jan. 14, 2021 CO HB 21-003 Establishes Legislative Procedures for Disaster Emergencies Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
Jan. 14, 2021 DE SCR 3 Extends Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
Jan. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
Jan. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
Jan. 12, 2021 NY S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
Jan. 12, 2021 National H Res 21 Calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President Resolution Passed - House (223 - 205)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
Jan. 11, 2021 CA AR 7 Alleges that Donald Trump Should be Removed from Office Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 OR HCR 21 Establishes Deadlines for Completing Legislative Measures Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ AR 213 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Bill Passed - House (47 - 8)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Jan. 7, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/04 H Res 72 Removing a certain Member from certain standing committees of the House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (230 - 199)
2/03 H Con Res 11 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 212)
2/03 HB 17 Prohibits Restricting Energy Utility Services Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
2/02 SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 20)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/02 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
2/02 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 22)
2/02 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 22)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/02 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
2/02 PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/02 PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/02 HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
2/01 HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
1/28 SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 42)
1/28 HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/28 S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
1/28 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
1/28 S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/27 HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
1/27 HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
1/27 HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
1/26 PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
1/26 SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/26 SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
1/26 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/26 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
1/25 PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
1/25 HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
1/25 HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - House (53 - 47)
1/25 SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/25 SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
1/22 PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
1/22 HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (86 - 38)
1/21 HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
1/21 HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
1/20 PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
1/15 SJR 25 Amends the State Medicaid Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 22)
1/14 HB 21-003 Establishes Legislative Procedures for Disaster Emergencies Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
1/14 SCR 3 Extends Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
1/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
1/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
1/12 S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
1/12 H Res 21 Calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President Resolution Passed - House (223 - 205)
1/11 S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
1/11 AR 7 Alleges that Donald Trump Should be Removed from Office Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
1/11 S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 HCR 21 Establishes Deadlines for Completing Legislative Measures Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
1/11 AR 213 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Bill Passed - House (47 - 8)
1/11 S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
1/11 S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
1/11 S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
1/09 SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/09 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
1/07 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)

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