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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 21, 2023 | ME | LD 1783 | Requires the Implementation of Reccomendations of the Governor's Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
June 16, 2022 | NJ | A 3694 | Establishes the Purple Star Schools Program for Military Families | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
April 11, 2022 | AK | HB 53 | Expands School Accommodations for Military Children | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 0) |
Feb. 24, 2022 | WY | HB 16 | Expands Eligibility for the Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
Feb. 15, 2022 | AL | SB 116 | Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
Feb. 15, 2022 | AL | SB 119 | Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
June 16, 2021 | RI | H 6004 | Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically | Bill Passed - House (48 - 17) |
April 10, 2021 | MD | HB 156 | Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25) |
Feb. 24, 2021 | VA | HB 2020 | Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 45) |
Feb. 23, 2021 | VA | HB 2020 | Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Jan. 21, 2021 | MT | HB 111 | Exempts Military Pensions from the State Income Tax | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
Dec. 11, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 13) |
Dec. 8, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78) |
July 31, 2020 | National | HR 7617 | Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 197) |
July 23, 2020 | National | S 4049 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 14) |
July 21, 2020 | National | HR 6395 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 | Bill Passed - House (295 - 125) |
June 26, 2020 | GA | HB 914 | Authorizes Expedited Licensure Former or Current Military Service Members | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 10) |
Nov. 12, 2019 | National | HR 3224 | Deborah Sampson Act | Bill Passed - House (399 - 11) |
March 28, 2019 | ND | SB 2195 | Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans | Bill Passed - House (64 - 27) |
March 28, 2019 | National | H Res 124 | Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals | Bill Passed - House (238 - 185) |
Feb. 18, 2019 | ND | HB 1053 | Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans | Bill Passed - House (50 - 42) |
Dec. 13, 2018 | National | S J Res 54 | To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 41) |
May 17, 2018 | National | PN 1857 | Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency | (54 - 45) |
May 17, 2018 | National | PN 1857 | Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency | Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 44) |
March 20, 2018 | National | S J Res 54 | To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress | Bill Tabled - Senate (55 - 44) |
Sept. 13, 2017 | National | SA 871 | Repeal of Authorization for Use of Military Force and Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 | Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 36) |
July 27, 2017 | National | HR 3219 | Make America Secure Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 192) |
Oct. 7, 2015 | National | HR 1735 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27) |
Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 1735 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156) |
May 15, 2015 | National | HR 1735 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Bill Passed - House (269 - 151) |
May 14, 2014 | OK | HB 3143 | Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42) |
March 6, 2014 | National | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | S 1197 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44) |
Oct. 3, 2013 | National | HR 3230 | Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act | Bill Passed - House (265 - 160) |
July 24, 2013 | National | HR 2397 | Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 | Bill Passed - House (315 - 109) |
July 23, 2013 | National | H Amdt 375 | Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency | Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173) |
June 14, 2013 | National | HR 1960 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 | Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225) |
March 11, 2013 | KY | SB 1 | Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
Dec. 21, 2012 | National | HR 4310 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14) |
Dec. 20, 2012 | National | HR 4310 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107) |
Nov. 30, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3025 | Requires Sufficient Sizing of Civilian and Contract Services Workforces | Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 53) |
Nov. 29, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3058 | Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism | Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29) |
July 19, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1416 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166) |
May 18, 2012 | National | HR 4310 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 | Bill Passed - House (299 - 120) |
May 17, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1103 | Limits Funding for War in Afghanistan to the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces | Amendment Rejected - House (113 - 303) |
Dec. 15, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13) |
Dec. 14, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
June 8, 2011 | WI | SB 116 | Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 3, 2011 | National | H Con Res 51 | Removing Armed Forces from Libya | Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265) |
March 29, 2011 | National | HR 839 | Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program | Bill Passed - House (252 - 170) |
Dec. 21, 2010 | National | HR 3082 | Continuing Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165) |
Dec. 21, 2010 | National | HR 3082 | Continuing Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16) |
Dec. 18, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
Dec. 15, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175) |
Sept. 21, 2010 | National | S 3454 | 2010-2011 Defense Authorizations | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43) |
May 28, 2010 | National | HR 5136 | 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations | Bill Passed - House (229 - 186) |
May 27, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4204 | Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80) |
May 27, 2010 | National | H Amdt 672 | Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification | Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194) |
April 10, 2010 | MD | SB 778 | Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters | Bill Passed - House (95 - 42) |
March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 778 | Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
Jan. 26, 2010 | IA | HF 2110 | Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
Oct. 22, 2009 | National | HR 2647 | 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29) |
Oct. 8, 2009 | National | HR 2647 | 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146) |
Sept. 24, 2008 | National | S 3001 | Defense Authorizations Bill | Bill Passed - House (392 - 39) |
Sept. 17, 2008 | National | S 3001 | Defense Authorizations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 8) |
July 26, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13) |
July 23, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152) |
July 10, 2008 | National | PN 1641 | Nomination of General Petraeus as Military Leader of the Middle East | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2) |
June 26, 2008 | National | HR 2642 | Iraq and Afghanistan War Funding, Unemployment Benefits Extension, and GI Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
June 19, 2008 | National | HR 2642 | GI Bill, Funding for Midwest Flood Cleanup, Extension of Unemployment Benefits, and Other Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (268 - 155) |
May 22, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4803 | GI Bill and Other Domestic Provisions | Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 22) |
May 15, 2008 | National | HR 2642 | Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196) |
May 15, 2008 | National | HR 2642 | Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149) |
May 8, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments | Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94) |
May 8, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments | Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1180 | Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses | Bill Passed - House (60 - 5) |
Jan. 22, 2008 | National | HR 4986 | Defense Authorizations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3) |
Jan. 16, 2008 | National | HR 4986 | Defense Authorizations Bill | Bill Passed - House (369 - 46) |
Dec. 18, 2007 | National | S Amdt 3875 | Iraq Withdrawal Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 71) |
Dec. 12, 2007 | National | HR 1585 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49) |
Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 235 | 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 235 | 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 8) |
Oct. 18, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156) |
Oct. 2, 2007 | National | HR 3087 | Requiring Reports from the Defense Department to Congress Regarding Withdrawal from Iraq | Bill Passed - House (377 - 46) |
Oct. 1, 2007 | National | HR 1585 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
Sept. 27, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29) |
Sept. 25, 2007 | National | HR 976 | State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (265 - 159) |
Sept. 20, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2947 | Expressing Support for All Men and Women in the U.S. Armed Forces | Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 47) |
Sept. 20, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2934 | Expressing Support for General Petraeus and All Members of the Armed Forces | Amendment Adopted - Senate (72 - 25) |
Sept. 19, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2909 | Time Between Troop Deployments | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 44) |
Aug. 30, 2007 | CA | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Aug. 27, 2007 | CA | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Bill Passed - House (43 - 32) |
Aug. 4, 2007 | National | HR 3221 | Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 172) |
Aug. 2, 2007 | National | HR 3159 | Mandatory Troop Rest Periods Between Deployments to Iraq | Bill Passed - House (229 - 194) |
June 7, 2007 | NH | SB 223 | Funeral Protest Ban | Bill Passed - House (299 - 22) |
May 2, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
April 23, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Bill Passed - House (34 - 21) |
April 5, 2007 | CO | SJM | Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq | Bill Passed - House (38 - 26) |
April 5, 2007 | CO | SJM 2 | Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq | Joint Resolution Passed - House (38 - 26) |
March 29, 2007 | CO | SJM | Opposition to Troop Escalation in Iraq | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |