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
March 8, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 5, 2021 GA SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 5, 2021 NY S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
March 4, 2021 WA SB 5203 Authorizes the State Health Care Authority to Purchase Generic Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 2, 2021 ID H 5 Requires the Hands-Free Use of Certain Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 2, 2021 AL SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
March 1, 2021 CT HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2021 National PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 MN SF 1 Requires Businesses Design and Implement a Safety Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
Feb. 25, 2021 MI SB 114 Appropriates $2 Billion in COVID-19 Related Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2021 SC S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2021 VA SB 1182 Increases Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2021 VA SB 1182 Increases Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2021 AK SB 70 Extends Access to Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
Feb. 24, 2021 OH SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2021 National PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2021 IA SF 356 Establishes Liability Protections for Agritourism Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 141 Requires the Budget Agency to Withhold Income Tax Revenue from an Eligible County Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA HB 1889 Extends Eviction Protections for Renters Experiencing Financial Hardship Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA SB 1392 Establishes a Framework for Controlling and Processing Personal Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2021 MN SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
Feb. 18, 2021 GA SB 46 Specifies Who is Able to Administer a COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
Feb. 17, 2021 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 AZ SB 1327 Amends Tax Credit Laws for Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 17, 2021 WA SB 5140 Prohibits Hospital Policies that Restrict Necessary Miscarriage Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 8 Prohibits the State from Prioritizing Prisoners in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2021 IN SB 386 Establishes Refinancing Plans to Retire Coal Plants Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2021 MT SB 126 Amends Laws Related to the Property Valuation Appeal Process Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2021 AK SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/05 SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/05 S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
3/04 SB 5203 Authorizes the State Health Care Authority to Purchase Generic Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/02 H 5 Requires the Hands-Free Use of Certain Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/02 SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/02 SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/01 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
3/01 HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/27 SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/25 PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/25 SF 1 Requires Businesses Design and Implement a Safety Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
2/25 SB 114 Appropriates $2 Billion in COVID-19 Related Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/25 S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
2/24 SB 1182 Increases Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/24 SB 1182 Increases Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/24 SB 70 Extends Access to Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
2/24 SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/23 PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
2/23 SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/23 SF 356 Establishes Liability Protections for Agritourism Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/23 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/23 SB 141 Requires the Budget Agency to Withhold Income Tax Revenue from an Eligible County Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/22 HB 1889 Extends Eviction Protections for Renters Experiencing Financial Hardship Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/22 SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/19 SB 1392 Establishes a Framework for Controlling and Processing Personal Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/19 S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/19 S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/19 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/19 S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/19 S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/18 SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
2/18 SB 46 Specifies Who is Able to Administer a COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
2/17 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/17 SB 1327 Amends Tax Credit Laws for Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/17 SB 5140 Prohibits Hospital Policies that Restrict Necessary Miscarriage Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/16 SB 8 Prohibits the State from Prioritizing Prisoners in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/15 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
2/15 SB 386 Establishes Refinancing Plans to Retire Coal Plants Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
2/15 SB 126 Amends Laws Related to the Property Valuation Appeal Process Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/12 SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)

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