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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 11, 2025 National PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 25)
April 11, 2025 National PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
April 11, 2025 National PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 25)
April 8, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 National HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2025 National PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2025 National PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
Feb. 20, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 18, 2025 National PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Motion Agreed - Senate (48 - 45)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 21, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
Dec. 16, 2024 National S 141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
Sept. 25, 2024 National H Res 1469 Ensuring accountability for key officials in the Biden- Harris administration responsible for decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 194)
July 11, 2024 National S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
June 28, 2024 National HR 8774 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
June 14, 2024 National HR 8070 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
June 5, 2024 National HR 8580 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (209 - 197)
May 28, 2024 LA SCR 21 Authorizes and Memorializes Congress to Support Israel in the Wake of the October 7, 2023, Terror Attacks Joint Resolution Passed - House (73 - 10)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1128 Establishes Sex Offender Registration and Prohibits Sexual Intercourse with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
May 16, 2024 National HR 8369 Israel Security Assistance Support Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 187)
May 14, 2024 National HR 7659 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (376 - 16)
May 14, 2024 NY S 4555 Prohibits Intoxication of the Victim as a Defense in Sex Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
May 2, 2024 NC HB 10 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
April 30, 2024 KS SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
April 29, 2024 KS SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 39)
April 23, 2024 National HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
April 22, 2024 LA SCR 21 Authorizes and Memorializes Congress to Support Israel in the Wake of the October 7, 2023, Terror Attacks Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8035 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 112)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8036 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (385 - 34)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8034 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 58)
April 18, 2024 National H Res 1143 Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel. Resolution Passed - House (404 - 14)
April 17, 2024 National HR 6323 Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (271 - 147)
April 17, 2024 National HR 5947 To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
April 17, 2024 National HR 4691 Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (278 - 141)
April 17, 2024 National HR 6046 Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 135)
April 16, 2024 National HR 3033 Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
April 16, 2024 National HR 5826 No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act Bill Passed - House (391 - 34)
April 16, 2024 National HR 6603 No Technology for Terror Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 19)
April 16, 2024 National HR 6245 Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (419 - 4)
April 16, 2024 National HR 5917 Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 4)
April 16, 2024 National HR 6015 Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (408 - 13)
April 16, 2024 National H Res 883 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is antisemitic and its use must be condemned. Resolution Passed - House (377 - 44)
April 16, 2024 National H Res 288 Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution Resolution Passed - House (411 - 14)
April 15, 2024 National HR 6408 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations Bill Passed - House (382 - 11)
March 8, 2024 National HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (75 - 22)
March 4, 2024 ID S 1252 Requires Congress Declare War for National Guard Deployment Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2024 OH SB 154 Requires the Space Force to be Recognized as a Uniformed Armed Service Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2024 National HR 3202 Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (389 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
Feb. 8, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
Feb. 7, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
Feb. 7, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
Jan. 23, 2024 DE SB 202 Establishes Codes Relating to Line of Duty Death Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 8, 2024 KS SCR 1729 Alleges Condemnation for the October 7th Attacks on the State of Israel Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
Dec. 14, 2023 National HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Conference Report Adopted - House (310 - 118)
Dec. 13, 2023 National HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 13)
Dec. 12, 2023 National HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 15)
Dec. 6, 2023 National HR 815 A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes (RELIEVE Act) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
Nov. 14, 2023 National HR 6126 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 48)
Nov. 2, 2023 National HR 6126 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (226 - 196)
Nov. 1, 2023 National HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
Oct. 25, 2023 National H Res 771 Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. Resolution Passed - House (412 - 10)
Oct. 19, 2023 National S Res 417 A resolution standing with Israel against terrorism Resolution Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
Sept. 28, 2023 National HR 4365 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
Sept. 28, 2023 National HR 5692 Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 117)
July 27, 2023 National S 2226 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
July 27, 2023 National HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (219 - 211)
July 14, 2023 National HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 25)
4/11 PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
4/11 PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 25)
4/08 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
3/24 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
3/14 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
2/25 PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 28)
2/24 PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
2/20 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
2/18 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Motion Agreed - Senate (48 - 45)
1/24 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
1/23 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
1/21 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
12/16 S 141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
9/25 H Res 1469 Ensuring accountability for key officials in the Biden- Harris administration responsible for decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 194)
7/11 S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
6/28 HR 8774 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
6/14 HR 8070 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
6/05 HR 8580 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (209 - 197)
5/28 SCR 21 Authorizes and Memorializes Congress to Support Israel in the Wake of the October 7, 2023, Terror Attacks Joint Resolution Passed - House (73 - 10)
5/22 SB 1128 Establishes Sex Offender Registration and Prohibits Sexual Intercourse with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
5/16 HR 8369 Israel Security Assistance Support Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 187)
5/14 HR 7659 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (376 - 16)
5/14 S 4555 Prohibits Intoxication of the Victim as a Defense in Sex Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
5/02 HB 10 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
4/30 SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
4/29 SB 172 Establishes the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 39)
4/23 HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
4/22 SCR 21 Authorizes and Memorializes Congress to Support Israel in the Wake of the October 7, 2023, Terror Attacks Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
4/20 HR 8035 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 112)
4/20 HR 8036 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (385 - 34)
4/20 HR 8034 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 58)
4/18 H Res 1143 Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel. Resolution Passed - House (404 - 14)
4/17 HR 6323 Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (271 - 147)
4/17 HR 5947 To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
4/17 HR 4691 Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (278 - 141)
4/17 HR 6046 Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 135)
4/16 HR 3033 Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
4/16 HR 5826 No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act Bill Passed - House (391 - 34)
4/16 HR 6603 No Technology for Terror Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 19)
4/16 HR 6245 Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (419 - 4)
4/16 HR 5917 Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 4)
4/16 HR 6015 Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (408 - 13)
4/16 H Res 883 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is antisemitic and its use must be condemned. Resolution Passed - House (377 - 44)
4/16 H Res 288 Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution Resolution Passed - House (411 - 14)
4/15 HR 6408 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations Bill Passed - House (382 - 11)
3/08 HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (75 - 22)
3/04 S 1252 Requires Congress Declare War for National Guard Deployment Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/28 SB 154 Requires the Space Force to be Recognized as a Uniformed Armed Service Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/14 HR 3202 Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (389 - 32)
2/13 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
2/08 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
2/07 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
2/07 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
1/23 SB 202 Establishes Codes Relating to Line of Duty Death Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/08 SCR 1729 Alleges Condemnation for the October 7th Attacks on the State of Israel Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
12/14 HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Conference Report Adopted - House (310 - 118)
12/13 HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 13)
12/12 HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 15)
12/06 HR 815 A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes (RELIEVE Act) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
11/14 HR 6126 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 48)
11/02 HR 6126 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (226 - 196)
11/01 HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
10/25 H Res 771 Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. Resolution Passed - House (412 - 10)
10/19 S Res 417 A resolution standing with Israel against terrorism Resolution Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
9/28 HR 4365 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
9/28 HR 5692 Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 117)
7/27 S 2226 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
7/27 HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (219 - 211)
7/14 HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)

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