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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 2, 2021 | National | PN 78-15 | Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15) |
Feb. 15, 2021 | IN | SB 164 | Establishes the Tourism Capital Development Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | S 2704 | Appropriates $30 Million to the EDA to Assist Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 2380 | Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 3971 | Authorizes the Issuance of "Coronavirus Relief Bonds" by Local Governments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
July 16, 2020 | NJ | A 4175 | Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
July 13, 2020 | PA | HB 732 | Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9) |
June 30, 2020 | OH | HB 606 | Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
June 19, 2020 | NM | SB 3 | Establishes the "Small Business Recovery Act of 2020" | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 2135 | Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
May 12, 2020 | SC | H 3411 | Establishes Allocations of Federal COVID-19 Appropriations to the State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
May 5, 2020 | MO | HB 2011 | Appropriates Funds for the Department of Social Services | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
March 25, 2020 | National | HR 748 | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0) |
March 23, 2020 | National | HR 748 | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 46) |
March 22, 2020 | National | HR 748 | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 47) |
March 19, 2020 | KS | SB 66 | Appropriates Funds for the 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Years | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
March 13, 2020 | MD | HB 932 | Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
March 3, 2020 | IN | HB 1222 | Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
March 2, 2020 | AZ | SB 1059 | Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
Feb. 13, 2020 | VT | S 23 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Jan. 17, 2020 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
Sept. 26, 2019 | National | PN 1099 | Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor | (53 - 44) |
Sept. 25, 2019 | National | PN 1099 | Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor | Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 35 | Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Aug. 13, 2019 | NC | SB 86 | Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
June 11, 2019 | PA | HB 800 | Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 1282 | Establishes a "Green New Deal" | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 5, 2019 | ME | LD 1524 | Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
May 27, 2019 | AZ | HB 2753 | Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 24, 2019 | NV | AB 132 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
May 20, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17) |
May 15, 2019 | NV | SB 312 | Requires Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0) |
May 13, 2019 | OR | HB 3427 | Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
April 1, 2019 | OR | HB 2975 | Reduces Oregon's "Kicker" Tax Rebate | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
Feb. 26, 2019 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
Feb. 6, 2019 | AR | SB 211 | Reduces Top Individual Income Tax Rate to 5.9 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 15 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Jan. 22, 2019 | CT | HB 5765 | Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
Dec. 20, 2018 | MI | HB 4991 | Appropriates $1.3 Billion to Fiscal Year 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Dec. 6, 2018 | National | PN 2170 | Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection | (50 - 49) |
Nov. 29, 2018 | National | PN 2170 | Nomination of Kathleen Laura Kraninger to be the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection | Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
Nov. 28, 2018 | MI | SB 1171 | Amends Minimum Wage Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Aug. 27, 2018 | NJ | S 2293 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0) |
Aug. 24, 2018 | CA | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4841 | Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
July 1, 2018 | DE | HB 360 | Requires Sexual Harassment Training for Supervisors of Large Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6) |
June 30, 2018 | DE | SB 170 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 255 | Increases Occupational Licensing Board Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
June 20, 2018 | RI | H 7200 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
June 7, 2018 | MA | H 4501 | Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
May 10, 2018 | LA | HB 206 | Authorizes Employment of Convicted Felons in Insurance Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
May 8, 2018 | VT | H 707 | Amends State Workplace Sexual Harassment Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
April 5, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1322 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1243 | Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
March 27, 2018 | CO | SB 18-200 | Amends Public Retirement System Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
March 26, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
March 22, 2018 | KY | HB 2 | Amends Workers' Compensation Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 1017 | Requires Equal Access to Collective Bargaining New Employee Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 12) |
March 1, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | WI | AB 1 | Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
Feb. 15, 2018 | VT | S 40 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
Feb. 10, 2018 | WA | SB 6199 | Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
Jan. 31, 2018 | MI | SB 660 | Extends the Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs to 2025 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
Oct. 25, 2017 | PA | SB 936 | Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
Oct. 5, 2017 | MI | SB 353 | Prohibits Local Rules Regarding Employer Interview Practices | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
July 4, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
June 30, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
June 21, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
June 4, 2017 | NV | SB 546 | Establishes 2-Year State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
May 17, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21) |
May 12, 2017 | NC | S 257 | Establishes State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
May 4, 2017 | AL | HB 155 | Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
April 27, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38) |
April 26, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39) |
April 24, 2017 | NC | S 68 | Establishes Bipartisan Elections and Ethics Board | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
April 20, 2017 | MN | HF 600 | Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31) |
April 20, 2017 | IA | SF 516 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
April 6, 2017 | KS | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
April 5, 2017 | WI | SB 76 | Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
April 4, 2017 | IN | HB 1384 | Expands Indiana's Voucher Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
March 30, 2017 | NC | HB 142 | Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
March 29, 2017 | OH | HB 26 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5) |
March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
March 23, 2017 | WA | SB 5048 | Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
March 13, 2017 | OK | SB 170 | Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6) |
March 2, 2017 | MO | SB 43 | Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
Feb. 27, 2017 | WV | SB 330 | Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act | (23 - 11) |
Feb. 13, 2017 | National | PN 26 | Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47) |