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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 24, 2021 NJ A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
June 25, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
Jan. 21, 2021 DE SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 17, 2021 NC HB 172 Establishes Term Limits For Congressional Positions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
March 17, 2021 National H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
March 17, 2021 IA SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 18, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 18, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
March 19, 2021 MT HB 385 Increases the Number of Electors Needed to Sign a Constitutional Initiative Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
March 22, 2021 NV SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
March 23, 2021 MI SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 25, 2021 FL SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 29, 2021 CO HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 9, 2021 NH HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
April 12, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 15, 2021 OR SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Sept. 27, 2021 PA SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
March 2, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
March 3, 2021 National HR 1 For the People Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 210)
March 3, 2021 National HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
March 4, 2021 OK HB 1602 Establishes Computer Data Privacy Protections Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ AR 213 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Bill Passed - House (47 - 8)
March 16, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
June 29, 2021 National HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
Dec. 14, 2021 National HR 5665 Combating International Islamophobia Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
Jan. 22, 2021 KS HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (86 - 38)
Jan. 12, 2021 NY S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
Jan. 21, 2021 ID HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2021 National HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
Feb. 24, 2021 AZ HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 24, 2021 CT HB 6515 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hairstyle Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 2, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
Oct. 6, 2021 MI SJR G Amends State Constitution to Protect Certain Public Employees "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - House (65 - 38)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
April 7, 2021 NH CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/24 A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
6/25 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
1/21 SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/17 HB 172 Establishes Term Limits For Congressional Positions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
3/17 H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
3/17 SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/18 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/18 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
3/19 HB 385 Increases the Number of Electors Needed to Sign a Constitutional Initiative Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
3/22 SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
3/23 SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/25 SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/29 HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/09 HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
4/12 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/13 SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/15 SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
9/27 SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
3/02 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
3/03 HR 1 For the People Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 210)
3/03 HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
3/04 HB 1602 Establishes Computer Data Privacy Protections Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
1/11 AR 213 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Bill Passed - House (47 - 8)
3/16 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
6/29 HR 3005 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (285 - 120)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
12/14 HR 5665 Combating International Islamophobia Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
1/22 HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (86 - 38)
1/12 S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
1/21 HJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Authorize the Legislature to Reconvene Their Session Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/25 HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
2/24 HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/24 HB 6515 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hairstyle Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/02 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
10/06 SJR G Amends State Constitution to Protect Certain Public Employees "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - House (65 - 38)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
4/07 CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)

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