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
May 15, 2024 AK HB 155 Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 3)
May 10, 2024 AK SB 154 Establishes the Military and Veteran Family Help Desk in the Department of military and Veteran's Affairs Bill Passed - House (37 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2024 SD HB 1061 Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM HB 298 Establishes a Service Members Suicide Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SB 166 Amends Punitive Articles for the Wisconsin Code of Military Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 5)
Feb. 24, 2022 WY HB 16 Expands Eligibility for the Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
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)
Jan. 21, 2021 MT HB 111 Exempts Military Pensions from the State Income Tax Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
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 21, 2020 National HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
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)
July 27, 2017 National HR 3219 Make America Secure Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 192)
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)
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. 20, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
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. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
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. 15, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
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)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
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)
July 23, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
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 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 (266 - 154)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Jan. 16, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
Dec. 12, 2007 National HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/15 HB 155 Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 3)
5/10 SB 154 Establishes the Military and Veteran Family Help Desk in the Department of military and Veteran's Affairs Bill Passed - House (37 - 3)
2/26 HB 1061 Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
2/10 HB 298 Establishes a Service Members Suicide Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
11/09 SB 166 Amends Punitive Articles for the Wisconsin Code of Military Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 5)
2/24 HB 16 Expands Eligibility for the Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
6/16 H 6004 Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
2/24 HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 45)
1/21 HB 111 Exempts Military Pensions from the State Income Tax Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
12/08 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - House (335 - 78)
7/31 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)
7/21 HR 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (295 - 125)
11/12 HR 3224 Deborah Sampson Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 11)
3/28 SB 2195 Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
3/28 H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
2/18 HB 1053 Reduces Income Tax for Military Veterans Bill Passed - House (50 - 42)
7/27 HR 3219 Make America Secure Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 192)
10/01 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156)
5/15 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (269 - 151)
5/14 HB 3143 Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42)
10/03 HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
7/24 HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
7/23 H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
3/11 SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
12/20 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
7/19 H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
5/18 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Bill Passed - House (299 - 120)
5/17 H Amdt 1103 Limits Funding for War in Afghanistan to the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Amendment Rejected - House (113 - 303)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/15 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
4/10 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
10/08 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146)
9/24 S 3001 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (392 - 39)
7/23 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
6/19 HR 2642 GI Bill, Funding for Midwest Flood Cleanup, Extension of Unemployment Benefits, and Other Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (268 - 155)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
12/12 HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)

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