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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 2, 2026 | National | HR 3123 | Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act | Bill Passed - House (405 - 1) |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | National | HR 3492 | Protect Children's Innocence Act | Bill Passed - House (216 - 211) |
| Dec. 16, 2025 | National | HR 4371 | To amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance efforts to combat the trafficking of children | Bill Passed - House (225 - 201) |
| Dec. 15, 2025 | National | S 284 | Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act | Bill Passed - House (370 - 22) |
| Dec. 4, 2025 | National | HR 1069 | Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act | Bill Passed - House (247 - 164) |
| Dec. 1, 2025 | National | HR 5348 | Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 | Bill Passed - House (386 - 0) |
| Sept. 16, 2025 | National | HR 5140 | To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 203) |
| April 29, 2025 | National | HR 1442 | Youth Poisoning Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (378 - 42) |
| March 3, 2025 | National | S 9 | Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | National | HR 28 | Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act | Bill Passed - House (218 - 206) |
| Dec. 18, 2024 | National | S 1351 | Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act | Bill Passed - House (373 - 33) |
| Nov. 21, 2024 | National | H Res 915 | Urging the Government of Ukraine to review and modify its decision to suspend adoption by foreign nationals with a view to resuming such adoptions, particularly in cases where the mutual concerns of the Governments of Ukraine and of the United States can be substantially addressed. | Resolution Passed - House (372 - 6) |
| Sept. 18, 2024 | National | S 1146 | Find and Protect Foster Youth Act | Bill Passed - House (408 - 7) |
| Sept. 18, 2024 | National | HR 9076 | Supporting America's Children and Families Act | Bill Passed - House (405 - 10) |
| Sept. 18, 2024 | National | HR 9076 | Supporting America's Children and Families Act | Bill Passed - House (405 - 10) |
| Sept. 17, 2024 | National | S 4445 | A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44) |
| Aug. 1, 2024 | National | HR 7024 | Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 44) |
| July 30, 2024 | National | S 2073 | Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (91 - 3) |
| July 25, 2024 | National | S 2073 | Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act | Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 1) |
| June 25, 2024 | National | HR 7152 | Divided Families National Registry Act | Bill Passed - House (375 - 8) |
| June 13, 2024 | National | S 4445 | A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 47) |
| May 15, 2024 | National | HR 6960 | Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act | Bill Passed - House (399 - 13) |
| May 15, 2024 | National | HR 4581 | Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2023 | Bill Passed - House (408 - 3) |
| May 15, 2024 | National | HR 4310 | Youth Poisoning Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (376 - 33) |
| Jan. 31, 2024 | National | HR 7024 | Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 | Bill Passed - House (357 - 70) |
| Jan. 18, 2024 | National | HR 6918 | Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act | Bill Passed - House (214 - 208) |
| March 24, 2023 | National | HR 5 | Parents Bill of Rights Act | Bill Passed - House (213 - 208) |
| Dec. 2, 2022 | National | HR 8876 | Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (390 - 26) |
| July 15, 2022 | National | HR 8351 | Formula Act | Bill Passed - House (421 - 2) |
| June 8, 2022 | National | HR 7910 | Protecting Our Kids Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| May 18, 2022 | National | HR 7790 | Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 192) |
| May 18, 2022 | National | HR 7791 | Access to Baby Formula Act | Bill Passed - House (414 - 9) |
| July 29, 2020 | National | HR 7027 | Child Care Is Essential Act | Bill Passed - House (249 - 163) |
| July 29, 2020 | National | HR 7327 | Child Care for Economic Recovery Act | Bill Passed - House (250 - 161) |
| March 18, 2020 | National | HR 6201 | Families First Coronavirus Response Act | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8) |
| March 14, 2020 | National | HR 6201 | Families First Coronavirus Response Act | Bill Passed - House (363 - 40) |
| June 4, 2019 | National | HR 6 | American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 187) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Nov. 3, 2017 | National | HR 3922 | Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 (CHAMPION Act) | Bill Passed - House (242 - 174) |
| Sept. 26, 2017 | National | HR 2824 | Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence Based Home Visiting Act | Bill Passed - House (214 - 209) |
| May 25, 2017 | National | HR 1761 | Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (368 - 51) |
| Dec. 11, 2013 | National | HR 2019 | Kids First Research Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (295 - 103) |
| March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
| July 19, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1416 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166) |
| May 9, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1096 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171) |
| Dec. 15, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13) |
| Dec. 14, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
| Dec. 18, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
| Dec. 15, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175) |
| Sept. 22, 2010 | National | HR 3470 | Infant Mortality Pilot Programs | Bill Passed - House (324 - 64) |
| Dec. 3, 2009 | National | S Amdt 2791 | Preventive Services Coverage Requirements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39) |
| March 31, 2009 | National | HR 1388 | National Volunteer Program Expansion | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (275 - 149) |
| March 26, 2009 | National | HR 1388 | National Volunteer Program Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 19) |
| March 18, 2009 | National | HR 1388 | National Volunteer Program Expansion | Bill Passed - House (321 - 105) |
| Jan. 29, 2009 | National | HR 2 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32) |
| Jan. 14, 2009 | National | HR 2 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion | Bill Passed - House (289 - 139) |
| March 14, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4233 | Codifying the Definition of a Child Eligible for SCHIP | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52) |
| Jan. 23, 2008 | National | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Veto Override Failed - House (260 - 152) |
| Nov. 14, 2007 | National | HR 1429 | Head Start Act of 2007 | Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 36) |
| Nov. 1, 2007 | National | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 30) |
| Oct. 25, 2007 | National | HR 3963 | Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP) | Bill Passed - House (265 - 142) |
| Oct. 18, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156) |
| Sept. 27, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29) |
| Sept. 25, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (265 - 159) |
| Aug. 2, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31) |
| Aug. 1, 2007 | National | HR 3162 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization | Bill Passed - House (225 - 204) |
| July 19, 2007 | National | HR 3043 | Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies | Bill Passed - House (276 - 140) |
| Sept. 26, 2006 | National | S 403 | Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act | Bill Passed - House (264 - 153) |
| July 25, 2006 | National | S 403 | Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| July 18, 2006 | National | H J Res 88 | Same-Sex Marriage Resolution | Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187) |
| June 7, 2006 | National | S J Res 1 | Same Sex Marriage Resolution | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48) |
| Dec. 19, 2005 | National | S 1932 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206) |
| Dec. 14, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213) |
| Nov. 17, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224) |
| Oct. 27, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3) |
| April 27, 2005 | National | HR 748 | Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act | Bill Passed - House (270 - 157) |
| April 14, 2005 | National | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (302 - 126) |
| March 17, 2005 | National | S Amdt 244 | Unintended Pregnancy Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53) |
| March 10, 2005 | National | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
| Sept. 23, 2004 | National | HR 1308 | Child Tax Credit Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3) |
| Sept. 23, 2004 | National | HR 1308 | Child Tax Credit Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 65) |
| July 14, 2004 | National | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| May 20, 2004 | National | HR 4359 | Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - House (271 - 139) |
| April 28, 2004 | National | HR 4181 | Marriage Penalty Tax Bill | Bill Passed - House (323 - 95) |
| March 24, 2004 | National | HR 3873 | Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act | Bill Passed - House (419 - 5) |
| March 24, 2004 | National | HR 3873 | Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act | Bill Passed - House (419 - 5) |
| April 10, 2003 | National | S 151 | Enhance AMBER Alert bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25) |
| Feb. 13, 2003 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 192) |
| May 16, 2002 | National | HR 4737 | Temporary Aid to Needy Families | Bill Passed - House (229 - 197) |
| Sept. 13, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158) |
| July 21, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34) |
| July 20, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156) |
| March 2, 2000 | National | S 1134 | Education Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 10, 2000 | National | HR 6 | Changes in Income Tax Deductions for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (268 - 158) |
| Oct. 21, 1999 | National | S 1692 | Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34) |
| July 29, 1999 | National | H Amdt 356 | Adoption Restriction Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215) |
| June 30, 1999 | National | HR 1218 | Child Custody Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (270 - 159) |
| Oct. 8, 1998 | National | H Amdt 923 | Contraceptive Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200) |
| Oct. 8, 1998 | National | H Amdt 923 | Contraceptive Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200) |