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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 7, 2024 | MN | HF 3431 | Appropriates Funding for Veterans State Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (69 - 60) |
April 30, 2024 | National | HR 1767 | Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act | Bill Passed - House (406 - 6) |
April 30, 2024 | National | HR 3738 | Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act | Bill Passed - House (403 - 10) |
March 9, 2024 | WV | SB 681 | Repeals 10-Year Work Requirement for Members of the Army or Air National Guard Who Receive State Tuition Funding | (88 - 7) |
Feb. 12, 2024 | CO | HB 24-1093 | Authorizes Provisional Peace Officer Certification for Former Military Members | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
Feb. 10, 2024 | NM | HB 298 | Establishes a Service Members Suicide Prevention Program | Bill Passed - House (63 - 1) |
March 8, 2023 | ID | H 219 | Amends Laws Regarding Eligibility for Armed Forces and Police Officer Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
Dec. 15, 2022 | National | HR 1948 | VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (219 - 201) |
Dec. 6, 2022 | National | HR 7946 | Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (220 - 208) |
Dec. 1, 2022 | National | HR 2521 | Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2022 (DOULA for VA Act of 2022) | Bill Passed - House (376 - 44) |
Sept. 28, 2022 | MI | SB 311 | Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
Sept. 28, 2022 | MI | SB 311 | Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically | Bill Passed - House (98 - 6) |
Aug. 2, 2022 | National | S 3373 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 11) |
July 28, 2022 | MA | H 5106 | Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth | (40 - 0) |
July 27, 2022 | National | S 3373 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
July 13, 2022 | National | S 3373 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (342 - 88) |
June 22, 2022 | AZ | HB 2664 | Appropriates Funding for Military Transitional Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
June 16, 2022 | National | HR 3967 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14) |
June 2, 2022 | NY | A 5278 | Amends Retirement and Social Security Laws for Discharged LGBT Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0) |
March 5, 2022 | FL | HB 45 | Rescinds Tuition Fees for Disabled Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
March 3, 2022 | National | HR 3967 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 174) |
March 2, 2022 | FL | SB 1712 | Establishes the Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Pilot Program | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Feb. 23, 2022 | FL | SB 896 | Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Feb. 10, 2022 | MA | H 4441 | Expands Protections for Veterans | Bill Passed - House (156 - 1) |
Jan. 20, 2022 | National | HR 4673 | EVEST Act | Bill Passed - House (265 - 163) |
June 24, 2021 | National | HR 239 | Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act | Bill Passed - House (245 - 181) |
June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 519 | Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
Feb. 8, 2021 | National | PN 78-14 | Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7) |
June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1582 | Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0) |
Nov. 12, 2019 | National | HR 3224 | Deborah Sampson Act | Bill Passed - House (399 - 11) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 45 | Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
April 3, 2019 | SC | H 3438 | Establishes State Department of Veterans Affairs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 29) |
March 28, 2019 | ND | SB 2195 | Exempts Burial Fees and Costs for the Spouses and Dependents of Veterans | Bill Passed - House (64 - 27) |
May 16, 2018 | NY | A 3557 | Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health | Bill Passed - House (137 - 0) |
March 29, 2018 | ME | LD 521 | Establishes Alignment in Disability Claims with Department of Veteran Affairs | Bill Passed - House (91 - 48) |
June 26, 2017 | RI | H 5280A | Requires More State Contracts for Veteran-Owned Businesses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 0) |
June 13, 2017 | National | S 1094 | Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (368 - 55) |
March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1259 | VA Accountability First Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 178) |
March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1181 | Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (240 - 175) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | National | HR 5620 | VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (310 - 116) |
June 23, 2016 | National | HR 2577 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171) |
July 29, 2015 | National | HR 1994 | VA Accountability Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 170) |
April 10, 2015 | ND | SB 2242 | Appropriates Funds for Burial of Veterans' Families | Bill Failed - House (32 - 58) |
Oct. 1, 2013 | National | H J Res 72 | Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Failed - House (264 - 164) |
May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
April 16, 2013 | MN | SF 1589 | Increases Legislator Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32) |
March 21, 2013 | National | HR 933 | Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (318 - 109) |
March 20, 2013 | National | HR 933 | Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 26) |
March 6, 2013 | National | HR 933 | Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 | Bill Passed - House (267 - 151) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | ID | H 88 | Expands Tax Credit for New Employees | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
Aug. 14, 2012 | MD | SB 1 | Expands Gambling | Bill Passed - House (71 - 59) |
March 29, 2012 | IL | HB 5531 | Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees | Bill Failed - House (26 - 75) |
Feb. 24, 2012 | UT | SB 44 | Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14) |
Oct. 11, 2011 | National | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
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. 8, 2010 | National | HR 5987 | Seniors Protection Act | Bill Failed - House (254 - 153) |
July 27, 2010 | National | HR 4899 | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114) |
July 1, 2010 | National | H Res 1500 | Deeming Supplemental Military Appropriations Passed and Allowing Divided Question | Bill Passed - House (215 - 210) |
May 27, 2010 | National | HR 4899 | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | OH | HB 649 | Funding Veterans' Bonuses Using the Budget Stabilization Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Dec. 16, 2008 | OH | HB 649 | Funding Veterans' Bonuses Using the Budget Stabilization Fund | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
Aug. 19, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Aug. 19, 2008 | IL | HB 5285 | Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 17) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | IL | HB 5285 | Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 21) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 12) |
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) |
June 19, 2008 | National | HR 2642 | GI Bill, Funding for Midwest Flood Cleanup, Extension of Unemployment Benefits, and Other Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (416 - 12) |
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 (256 - 166) |
May 8, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments | Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94) |
May 5, 2008 | MN | Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund | Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54) | |
April 17, 2008 | MO | HJR 71 | Sales Tax for Veterans' Services | Joint Resolution Passed - House (106 - 39) |
March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55) |
March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
March 20, 2008 | KS | HB 2936 | Capital Improvements Funding | Bill Passed - House (87 - 35) |
March 20, 2008 | KS | HB 2947 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 51) |
March 10, 2008 | IA | HF 2359 | Veterans Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
March 5, 2008 | IA | HF 2359 | Veterans Trust Fund | Bill Passed - House (75 - 21) |
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. 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. 1, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 5194 | Income Tax Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
Oct. 1, 2007 | National | HR 1585 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
Sept. 30, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 5194 | Income Tax Increase | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 52) |
Aug. 4, 2007 | National | HR 3221 | Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 172) |
April 19, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (95 - 37) |
March 22, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
Feb. 13, 2007 | VT | HR 11 | Troop Withdrawal From Iraq | Resolution Passed - House (95 - 52) |
May 11, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
May 10, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185) |
Feb. 15, 2006 | KY | HCS HB 290 | Concealed Weapons Permit Classification | Bill Passed - House (89 - 7) |
Feb. 2, 2006 | National | S Amdt 2735 | Tax Rate Extension Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
Feb. 2, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
Dec. 19, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106) |