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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
June 1, 2020 | LA | HB 826 | Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
March 28, 2020 | AK | HB 205 | Appropriate Funds to Various Government Agencies, Including for COVID-19 | Conference Report Adopted - House (23 - 13) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
March 26, 2020 | KY | SB 150 | Establishes Emergency Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 0) |
March 28, 2020 | AK | SB 241 | Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1) |
March 27, 2020 | National | HR 748 | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House |
April 15, 2020 | PA | SB 613 | Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
Dec. 21, 2020 | National | HR 133 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
March 12, 2020 | GA | HB 792 | Amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget to Appropriate Funds to Combat COVID-19 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 1) |
Dec. 11, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 13) |
Dec. 11, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 13) |
March 19, 2020 | FL | H 5001 | Appropriates Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and Related COVID-19 Containment Efforts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 0) |
Dec. 21, 2020 | MI | SB 604 | Extends Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 4) |
May 12, 2020 | SC | H 3411 | Establishes Allocations of Federal COVID-19 Appropriations to the State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | National | HR 550 | No War Against Iran Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | National | HR 550 | No War Against Iran Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (236 - 166) |
Dec. 21, 2020 | National | HR 133 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (359 - 53) |
April 14, 2020 | PA | SB 613 | Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 | Bill Passed - House (107 - 95) |
March 25, 2020 | National | HR 748 | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 0) |
Jan. 17, 2020 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
Dec. 8, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78) |
Dec. 8, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78) |
March 25, 2020 | PA | SB 751 | Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
March 17, 2020 | MI | HB 4729 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 0) |
June 13, 2020 | CO | SB 20-224 | Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1663 | Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3) |
June 30, 2020 | NH | HB 1166 | Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (178 - 154) |
July 1, 2020 | NH | HB 1672 | Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (195 - 130) |
July 1, 2020 | NH | HB 1246 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (194 - 132) |
March 25, 2020 | AK | HB 234 | Appropriates Supplemental Funds for COVID-19 Relief Efforts | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (27 - 11) |
Sept. 1, 2020 | OH | HB 272 | Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5047 | Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
April 8, 2020 | MO | HB 2014 | Establishes a Supplemental Budget to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (147 - 4) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | MI | HB 6030 | Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 15) |
Oct. 20, 2020 | LA | HB 4 | Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 30) |
Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 2536 | Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 92) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | HB 20B-1003 | Expands Food Pantry Programs for Pandemic Relief | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 5) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | SB 20B-001 | Appropriates $57 Million in Direct Aid, Grants, and Annual Fee Waivers to Small Businesses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | HB 20B-1002 | Appropriates $45 Million in Funds for Grants Programs to Assist Childcare Providers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
March 9, 2020 | WA | SB 6561 | Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
April 23, 2020 | National | HR 266 | Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5) |
April 30, 2020 | MI | SB 858 | Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
May 2, 2020 | NC | HB 1043 | Appropriates Funds from the CARES Act for COVID-19 Relief | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (120 - 0) |
May 9, 2020 | MN | HF 3429 | Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 10) |
May 14, 2020 | NJ | S 2332 | Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
May 15, 2020 | MO | HB 1682 | Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (127 - 21) |
May 17, 2020 | MN | HF 4415 | Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55) |
May 18, 2020 | AL | SB 161 | Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
March 12, 2020 | FL | SB 664 | Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
May 21, 2020 | HI | SB 75 | Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 2135 | Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
March 16, 2020 | CA | SB 89 | Amends 2019-2020 State Budget to Appropriate Funds for the COVID-19 Emergency | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
May 28, 2020 | NC | HB 536 | Authorizes the Reopening of Bars and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 53) |
March 16, 2020 | CA | SB 117 | Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
March 17, 2020 | KS | SB 102 | Expands Flexibility in Courts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
March 17, 2020 | KS | SB 142 | Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
June 10, 2020 | IA | SF 2338 | Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | National | HR 550 | No War Against Iran Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175) |
July 15, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | National | HR 550 | No War Against Iran Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 175) |
Oct. 1, 2020 | National | HR 925 | The Heroes Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (214 - 207) |
Dec. 21, 2020 | National | HR 133 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (327 - 85) |
March 17, 2020 | SC | H 4014 | Appropriates Funds for the COVID-19 Public Health Response | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0) |
June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1246 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1166 | Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
May 21, 2020 | National | PN 1615 | Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 826 | Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 2536 | Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 2135 | Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" | Bill Passed - House (66 - 44) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | SB 20B-001 | Appropriates $57 Million in Direct Aid, Grants, and Annual Fee Waivers to Small Businesses | Bill Passed - House (46 - 17) |
May 27, 2020 | OH | HB 272 | Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | SB 20B-002 | Authorizes Housing and Direct COVID Emergency Assistance | Bill Passed - House (48 - 16) |
July 14, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Bill Passed - House (115 - 86) |
July 6, 2020 | HI | HB 2738 | Prohibits Foreign Nationals and Foreign Corporations from Funding Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0) |
July 6, 2020 | HI | HB 2502 | Authorizes COVID-19 Health Screenings of Travelers At Ports of Entry | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
April 17, 2020 | UT | SB 3002 | Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients | Bill Passed - House (65 - 7) |
June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1672 | Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
March 11, 2020 | FL | SB 664 | Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment | Bill Passed - House (73 - 45) |
March 12, 2020 | WA | HB 2965 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
March 12, 2020 | AL | HB 186 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
April 30, 2020 | MI | SB 858 | Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
March 12, 2020 | UT | HB 494 | Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0) |
June 5, 2020 | IA | SF 2338 | Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
May 2, 2020 | NC | SB 704 | Establishes the COVID-19 Response Act | Bill Passed - House (119 - 0) |
May 7, 2020 | MN | HF 3429 | Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 1) |
June 9, 2020 | PA | HR 836 | Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
May 13, 2020 | PA | HB 2388 | Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
May 14, 2020 | MO | HB 1682 | Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
May 14, 2020 | National | HR 6172 | USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 16) |
May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 846 | Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
March 25, 2020 | PA | HB 1232 | Authorizes Emergency Finances and Tax Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
June 12, 2020 | CO | SB 20-224 | Prohibits Landlords from Asking Immigration Status Questions on Rental Applications | Bill Passed - House (41 - 23) |
March 5, 2020 | WA | SB 5164 | Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (89 - 8) |
July 16, 2020 | NJ | A 4175 | Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |