Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Aug. 25, 2021 NC HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Aug. 19, 2021 NC SB 688 Authorizes Sports Betting in North Carolina Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
Aug. 18, 2021 NC HB 398 Repeals Previous State Handgun Buying Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
July 22, 2021 National HR 3985 Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
July 22, 2021 MA H 3977 Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (156 - 3)
July 21, 2021 LA SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 30)
July 21, 2021 LA SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 30)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 118 Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 14, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
July 1, 2021 RI H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 30, 2021 ME LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Veto Override Failed - House (76 - 70)
June 30, 2021 WI SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 NJ S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 29, 2021 AZ SB 1082 Authorizes Certain Contraceptive Products to be Dispensed Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
June 29, 2021 DE SB 111 Specifies Automatic Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (36 - 5)
June 29, 2021 DE SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
June 29, 2021 DE SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5929 Requires Health Insurers Cover Cost of Doula Services for Expectant Mothers Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
June 29, 2021 National HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)
June 29, 2021 National HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
June 28, 2021 AZ SB 1082 Authorizes Certain Contraceptive Products to be Dispensed Without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
June 26, 2021 OR HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
June 25, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
June 25, 2021 OH HB 22 Amends the Definition of Obstruction of Justice to Include Distracting a Police Officer Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
June 24, 2021 PA SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 24, 2021 OH SB 113 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Fireworks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
June 24, 2021 OH SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
June 24, 2021 OH SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
June 24, 2021 OH SB 113 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Fireworks Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 24, 2021 National HR 1443 LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 176)
June 24, 2021 NJ S 3780 Permits Prosecutors to Enroll in the Prosecutors Part of Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
June 24, 2021 NJ S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 21)
June 24, 2021 DE SB 7 Requires Bond and Weapons Seizure for Those Facing Violent Crime Charges Bill Passed - House (32 - 8)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
June 24, 2021 OR HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
June 24, 2021 RI S 190 Authorizes DMV to Issue Driving Privileges to Undocumented Residents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 24, 2021 National HR 239 Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
June 23, 2021 PA SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Bill Passed - House (112 - 89)
June 23, 2021 OR HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 23, 2021 OR HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
June 23, 2021 RI H 6438 Establishes a Statewide Program for Police Body-Warn Cameras Bill Passed - House (70 - 0)
June 23, 2021 National HR 2062 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
June 22, 2021 WI AB 391 Requires Reopening Historic Sites Using American Rescue Plan Act Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 21, 2021 CA AB 439 Requires Listing the Gender Identity of a Deceased Individual on their Death Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
June 21, 2021 NJ S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
June 21, 2021 NJ A 5756 Prohibits Removing "Commutation Credits" for Inmates After Certain Infractions Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
June 21, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
June 21, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
June 17, 2021 OR HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
June 17, 2021 DE HB 195 Requires Body Cameras to be Worn by Police Officers Bill Passed - House (41 - 0)
June 17, 2021 OR HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - House (36 - 16)
June 16, 2021 ME LD 1675 Amends Various State Drug Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 16, 2021 National S 475 Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 14)
June 16, 2021 National S 475 Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 14)
June 16, 2021 ME LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/25 HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
8/19 SB 688 Authorizes Sports Betting in North Carolina Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
8/18 HB 398 Repeals Previous State Handgun Buying Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
8/11 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
7/22 HR 3985 Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
7/22 H 3977 Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (156 - 3)
7/21 SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 30)
7/21 SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 30)
7/20 SB 118 Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/20 SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
7/20 SB 156 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating Against Sports Teams that do Not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/14 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
7/01 H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/30 LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Veto Override Failed - House (76 - 70)
6/30 SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
6/30 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/29 SB 1082 Authorizes Certain Contraceptive Products to be Dispensed Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
6/29 SB 111 Specifies Automatic Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (36 - 5)
6/29 SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
6/29 SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
6/29 H 5929 Requires Health Insurers Cover Cost of Doula Services for Expectant Mothers Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
6/29 HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
6/29 H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)
6/29 HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
6/28 SB 1082 Authorizes Certain Contraceptive Products to be Dispensed Without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
6/26 HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
6/25 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
6/25 HB 22 Amends the Definition of Obstruction of Justice to Include Distracting a Police Officer Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
6/24 SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/24 SB 113 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Fireworks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
6/24 SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
6/24 SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
6/24 SB 113 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Fireworks Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
6/24 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/24 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/24 HR 1443 LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 176)
6/24 S 3780 Permits Prosecutors to Enroll in the Prosecutors Part of Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
6/24 S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 21)
6/24 SB 7 Requires Bond and Weapons Seizure for Those Facing Violent Crime Charges Bill Passed - House (32 - 8)
6/24 A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
6/24 HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
6/24 S 190 Authorizes DMV to Issue Driving Privileges to Undocumented Residents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/24 HR 239 Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
6/24 A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
6/23 SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Bill Passed - House (112 - 89)
6/23 HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/23 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/23 HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
6/23 H 6438 Establishes a Statewide Program for Police Body-Warn Cameras Bill Passed - House (70 - 0)
6/23 HR 2062 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
6/22 SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
6/22 SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
6/22 AB 391 Requires Reopening Historic Sites Using American Rescue Plan Act Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/21 AB 439 Requires Listing the Gender Identity of a Deceased Individual on their Death Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
6/21 S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
6/21 A 5756 Prohibits Removing "Commutation Credits" for Inmates After Certain Infractions Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
6/21 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
6/21 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
6/17 HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
6/17 HB 195 Requires Body Cameras to be Worn by Police Officers Bill Passed - House (41 - 0)
6/17 HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - House (36 - 16)
6/16 LD 1675 Amends Various State Drug Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/16 S 475 Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 14)
6/16 S 475 Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 14)
6/16 LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)

arrow_upward