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
Dec. 19, 2019 National HR 1158 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 11)
Dec. 19, 2019 National HR 1865 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 23)
Nov. 21, 2019 National HR 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 20)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 31, 2019 NC SB 354 Increases Pay for Public School Teachers and Personnel Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
Oct. 31, 2019 NC SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 31, 2019 National HR 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 9)
Oct. 30, 2019 NC HB 398 Appropriates State Funding for a Cybersecurity Development Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Oct. 24, 2019 NC HB 231 Authorizes Pay Raises for UNC Systems and Community College Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Oct. 24, 2019 NC HB 377 Increases State Teacher Pay Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Oct. 23, 2019 OH SB 26 Repeals the Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 4378 Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2020, and for other purposes Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
Sept. 24, 2019 MI HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
Sept. 24, 2019 MI SB 149 Establishes a Transportation Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
Sept. 19, 2019 MI HB 4242 Establishes K-12 Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 468 Authorizes Evaluation of Tax Expenditures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2019 National HR 3877 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
June 27, 2019 NC HB 966 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 15)
June 27, 2019 PA HB 1615 Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 26, 2019 WI AB 56 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
June 25, 2019 DE HB 225 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
June 20, 2019 ME LD 1836 Establishes Ballot Measure for Infrastructure Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 14, 2019 ME LD 1001 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
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 6, 2019 NH HB 2 Appropriates Funds for Various Community Development Initiatives "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 6, 2019 NH HB 1 Appropriates $12.9 Billion to State Agencies "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 4, 2019 CT HB 7424 Authorizes State Budget for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
June 2, 2019 IL SB 689 Establishes a Tax Amnesty Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
June 1, 2019 IL SB 262 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
May 31, 2019 IL SB 687 Establishes a Graduated Tax Structure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 20)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2754 Appropriates Funds for Health-Related Costs and Areas for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2749 Appropriates Funds for K-12 Education for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2753 Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 27, 2019 AZ SB 1558 Increases Stipends for State Legislators Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
May 23, 2019 National HR 2157 Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 8)
May 23, 2019 OR SB 1049 Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 21, 2019 SC H 4000 Establishes a State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
May 21, 2019 OK HB 2765 Authorizes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
May 20, 2019 SC H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
May 20, 2019 CA AB 74 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 13, 2019 OR HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
May 13, 2019 OR HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
May 8, 2019 NY S 5072 Amends State Tax Laws Regarding Presidential Tax Return Requests Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
May 4, 2019 KS SB 25 Establishes a $7.7 Billion State Budget for FY 2020-2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
May 2, 2019 CO HB 19-1245 Reduces Sales Tax Vendor Fee Allowance and Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 2, 2019 NC SB 559 Authorizes Rate Changes to Public Electric Utilities for Storm Recovery Costs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
May 1, 2019 MN HF 2400 Appropriates Funds for Education Finance Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
May 1, 2019 IL SJRCA 1 Repeals the Non-Graduated Income Tax Rate Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
April 30, 2019 HI SB 1292 Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 12)
April 30, 2019 MN HF 2414 Appropriates Funds to Various State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
April 28, 2019 WA HB 2158 Establishes a Business Tax to Finance a Higher Education Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 28, 2019 WA HB 2167 Increases Business and Occupation Tax on Large Financial Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
April 27, 2019 CO HB 19-1239 Appropriates $12 Million for Census Outreach Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 26, 2019 IA HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
April 25, 2019 WA SB 5993 Increases the State Hazardous Substance Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 25, 2019 WA SB 5998 Establishes a Graduated Real Estate Excise Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 24, 2019 MN SF 2415 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
April 24, 2019 IA SF 634 Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 23, 2019 IN HB 1003 Establishes the Fiscal Year 2019 Public Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
April 11, 2019 CA SB 92 Amends Tax Policies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 8, 2019 MT HB 2 Establishes Budget for 2019-2021 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 2, 2019 OH HB 62 Increases Gas and Diesel Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 10)
April 2, 2019 TX SB 22 Prohibits Taxpayer Dollars for Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 1, 2019 OR HB 2975 Reduces Oregon's "Kicker" Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1507 Establishes a Healthcare Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 28, 2019 ID H 259 Establishes an Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 20, 2019 AR SB 571 Establishes a Tax for E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 14, 2019 KS SB 22 Amends State Tax Laws for Families and Small Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 12, 2019 WA SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 3142 Reduces Severance Tax on Steam Coal Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2019 NJ S 119 Requires Certain Candidates To Disclose Income Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2019 NH SB 241 Authorizes Funding for Capitol Corridor Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2019 National H J Res 31 Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 16)
Feb. 13, 2019 WI AB 4 Amends Individual Income Tax Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 7, 2019 AZ SB 1091 Increases State Rainy-Day Fund by 10 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Feb. 6, 2019 AR SB 211 Reduces Top Individual Income Tax Rate to 5.9 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
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 S 1073 Authorizes Local Government Units to Establish Storm Water Utilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Jan. 31, 2019 NH SB 2 Increases the Amount of Funds Allocated for Job Training Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
Jan. 22, 2019 CT HB 5765 Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Jan. 9, 2019 IL SB 3531 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Positions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/19 HR 1158 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 11)
12/19 HR 1865 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 23)
11/21 HR 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 20)
11/05 SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/31 SB 354 Increases Pay for Public School Teachers and Personnel Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
10/31 SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/31 HR 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 9)
10/30 HB 398 Appropriates State Funding for a Cybersecurity Development Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
10/24 HB 231 Authorizes Pay Raises for UNC Systems and Community College Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
10/24 HB 377 Increases State Teacher Pay Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
10/23 SB 26 Repeals the Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
9/26 HR 4378 Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2020, and for other purposes Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
9/24 HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
9/24 SB 149 Establishes a Transportation Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
9/19 HB 4242 Establishes K-12 Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
9/11 SB 468 Authorizes Evaluation of Tax Expenditures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/01 HR 3877 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
6/30 HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
6/27 HB 966 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 15)
6/27 HB 1615 Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/26 AB 56 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
6/25 HB 225 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
6/20 LD 1836 Establishes Ballot Measure for Infrastructure Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/19 LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/14 LD 1001 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/11 HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/06 HB 2 Appropriates Funds for Various Community Development Initiatives "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/06 HB 1 Appropriates $12.9 Billion to State Agencies "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/04 HB 7424 Authorizes State Budget for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
6/02 SB 689 Establishes a Tax Amnesty Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
6/01 SB 262 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
5/31 SB 687 Establishes a Graduated Tax Structure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 20)
5/27 HB 2754 Appropriates Funds for Health-Related Costs and Areas for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/27 HB 2749 Appropriates Funds for K-12 Education for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
5/27 HB 2753 Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/27 SB 1558 Increases Stipends for State Legislators Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
5/23 HR 2157 Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 8)
5/23 SB 1049 Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/21 H 4000 Establishes a State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
5/21 HB 2765 Authorizes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
5/20 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
5/20 AB 74 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/13 HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
5/13 HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
5/08 S 5072 Amends State Tax Laws Regarding Presidential Tax Return Requests Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
5/04 SB 25 Establishes a $7.7 Billion State Budget for FY 2020-2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
5/02 HB 19-1245 Reduces Sales Tax Vendor Fee Allowance and Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/02 SB 559 Authorizes Rate Changes to Public Electric Utilities for Storm Recovery Costs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
5/01 HF 2400 Appropriates Funds for Education Finance Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30)
5/01 SJRCA 1 Repeals the Non-Graduated Income Tax Rate Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
4/30 SB 1292 Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 12)
4/30 HF 2414 Appropriates Funds to Various State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
4/28 HB 2158 Establishes a Business Tax to Finance a Higher Education Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/28 HB 2167 Increases Business and Occupation Tax on Large Financial Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
4/27 HB 19-1239 Appropriates $12 Million for Census Outreach Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/26 HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/25 SB 5993 Increases the State Hazardous Substance Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/25 SB 5998 Establishes a Graduated Real Estate Excise Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/24 SF 2415 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
4/24 SF 634 Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/23 HB 1003 Establishes the Fiscal Year 2019 Public Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/11 SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
4/11 SB 92 Amends Tax Policies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/08 HB 2 Establishes Budget for 2019-2021 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/02 HB 62 Increases Gas and Diesel Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 10)
4/02 SB 22 Prohibits Taxpayer Dollars for Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/01 HB 2975 Reduces Oregon's "Kicker" Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/31 A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/31 S 1507 Establishes a Healthcare Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/28 H 259 Establishes an Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/20 SB 571 Establishes a Tax for E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/14 SB 22 Amends State Tax Laws for Families and Small Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/12 SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/08 HB 3142 Reduces Severance Tax on Steam Coal Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/21 S 119 Requires Certain Candidates To Disclose Income Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/21 SB 241 Authorizes Funding for Capitol Corridor Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
2/14 H J Res 31 Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 16)
2/13 AB 4 Amends Individual Income Tax Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/07 SB 1091 Increases State Rainy-Day Fund by 10 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
2/06 SB 211 Reduces Top Individual Income Tax Rate to 5.9 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
2/06 SB 211 Reduces Top Individual Income Tax Rate to 5.9 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
1/31 S 1073 Authorizes Local Government Units to Establish Storm Water Utilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
1/31 SB 2 Increases the Amount of Funds Allocated for Job Training Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
1/22 HB 5765 Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
1/09 SB 3531 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Positions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 21)

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