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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1678 | Hurricane Katrina Relief Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 52) |
July 1, 1994 | National | HR 4454 | Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (73 - 27) |
July 29, 2005 | National | HR 2985 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 4) |
Aug. 2, 2007 | National | S 1 | Lobbying and Donation Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14) |
June 16, 1999 | National | HR 1905 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4) |
July 25, 2002 | National | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14) |
July 11, 2003 | National | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
July 23, 1993 | National | HR 2348 | Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
Sept. 21, 2004 | National | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
July 21, 1998 | National | HR 4112 | Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
Feb. 5, 2020 | National | H Res 755 | Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors | Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53) |
Sept. 30, 2009 | National | HR 2918 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38) |
Feb. 5, 2020 | National | H Res 755 | Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors | Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52) |
July 27, 2022 | National | HR 4346 | Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022 (CHIPS and Science Act of 2022) | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 33) |
Sept. 27, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | National | HR 325 | No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 34) |
Feb. 13, 2021 | National | H Res 24 | Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors | Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43) |
May 19, 2021 | National | S J Res 13 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48) |
April 21, 2021 | National | PN 79-4 | Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49) |
March 14, 2016 | National | PN 1152 | Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40) |
Jan. 31, 2020 | National | S Amdt 1298 | Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege | Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47) |
Jan. 26, 2012 | National | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
Feb. 2, 2012 | National | S Amdt 1472 | Prohibits Consideration of Bills Containing Earmarks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
July 19, 2018 | National | S Res 584 | A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
Aug. 11, 2021 | National | S Con Res 14 | A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49) |
Feb. 5, 2021 | National | S Con Res 5 | A concurrent resolution setting forth 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 - Senate (51 - 50) |
Feb. 2, 2012 | National | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3) |
Sept. 26, 2019 | National | SJ Res 54 | Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41) |
Sept. 22, 2012 | National | H J Res 117 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30) |
Jan. 31, 2020 | National | S Res 488 | A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
Jan. 22, 2020 | National | S Res 483 | A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 23, 2011 | National | S Amdt 499 | Prohibits the Appointment of Presidential "Czars" Without Senate Approval | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
Jan. 26, 2010 | National | S Amdt 3302 | Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission | Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46) |
Feb. 19, 2009 | NC | SB 15 | Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators | Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11) |
Aug. 16, 2023 | NC | SB 512 | Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
June 14, 2021 | NC | SB 722 | Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
July 27, 2011 | NC | SB 453 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
June 27, 2018 | NC | HB 913 | Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
July 27, 2011 | NC | HB 937 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | HB 777 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
Nov. 2, 2021 | NC | SB 740 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
April 27, 2021 | NC | SB 360 | Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
July 25, 2011 | NC | SB 455 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 283 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 689 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
April 20, 2021 | ND | SB 2271 | Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8) |
March 22, 2021 | ND | HB 1378 | Authorizes the State Assembly to Vote in December | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
April 7, 2011 | ND | HB 1267 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
Nov. 9, 2011 | ND | HB 1473 | New Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
March 29, 2022 | NE | LB 1011 | Appropriates Funds for Upcoming Fiscal Years | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
April 13, 2022 | NE | LB 686 | Expands Membership of Executive Board of Legislative Council | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5) |
May 26, 2011 | NE | LB 704 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
May 26, 2011 | NE | LB 703 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
March 28, 2012 | NH | HB 592 | State House Redistricting | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
March 17, 2022 | NH | HB 52 | Establishes New US House Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |
May 16, 2012 | NH | CACR 26 | Authorizes the Legislature to Amend Supreme Court Rules | Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | NH | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
July 30, 2020 | NJ | ACR 188 | Establishes Referendum to Delay Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
March 18, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Jan. 8, 2024 | NJ | A 5910 | Increases Annual Legislature Salaries Starting in 2026 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | SCR 125 | Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Jan. 11, 2010 | NJ | A 4378 | Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
Jan. 11, 2021 | NJ | SR 106 | Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
Feb. 25, 2009 | NM | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
Feb. 8, 2010 | NM | SB 531 | Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
Jan. 19, 2023 | NM | HB 1 | Appropriates Funds for Legislature | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
March 19, 2009 | NM | HB 393 | Opening Conference Committees to the Public | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
Sept. 23, 2011 | NM | HB 39 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Sept. 19, 2011 | NM | SB 22 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
Sept. 21, 2011 | NM | SB 33 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
March 16, 2021 | NV | AB 110 | Requires Lobbyists to Register with the Legislature | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
April 6, 2021 | NV | SB 47 | Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7) |
May 25, 2011 | NV | AB 566 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | SB 497 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
March 13, 2014 | NY | S 2031A | Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
June 9, 2021 | NY | S 7150 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
March 14, 2012 | NY | A 9525 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
April 25, 2017 | NY | S 1229 | Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
Feb. 9, 2010 | NY | R 3904 | Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
March 14, 2011 | NY | S 3331 | Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24) |
Dec. 17, 2009 | OH | HB 318 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
Sept. 23, 2009 | OH | SJR 5 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
Sept. 21, 2011 | OH | HB 319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
Nov. 16, 2021 | OH | SB 258 | Establishes Congressional District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
Feb. 17, 2021 | OH | SB 22 | Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Dec. 14, 2011 | OH | HB 369 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
May 16, 2011 | OK | HB 2145 | State House Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4) |
May 25, 2021 | OK | SB 959 | Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10) |
May 3, 2011 | OK | HB 1527 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5) |
April 12, 2011 | OK | S Amdt 1 | Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
June 10, 2011 | OR | SB 989 | State Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
June 25, 2021 | PA | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
July 15, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
Oct. 9, 2009 | PA | HB 1614 | Fiscal Code Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |