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
Oct. 8, 2025 National S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 1, 2025 MI HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
Sept. 23, 2025 NC HB 358 Appropriates Funds for Disaster Relief and Extends Other Funds to Future Fiscal Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 4)
Sept. 19, 2025 National PN 343 Nomination of Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (47 - 43)
Sept. 19, 2025 National PN 343 Nomination of Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 45)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 18)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 9)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 20)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 11, 2025 National HR 3486 Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
Sept. 11, 2025 WI AB 308 Prohibits Public Funds From Being Used to Pay for Health Care Services for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
Sept. 11, 2025 MI HB 4755 Prohibits Unfair, Unconscionable, or Deceptive Acts or Practices in the Conduct of Trade or Commerce. Bill Passed - House (103 - 1)
Sept. 10, 2025 National S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 10, 2025 National HR 3838 Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - House (231 - 196)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
Sept. 9, 2025 National PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 4, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA AB 49 Prohibits School Officials From Allowing an Immigration Authority Onto a Nonpublic School Site Without a Warrant or Court Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 7)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
Sept. 2, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
Sept. 2, 2025 National HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
Sept. 2, 2025 National HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
Aug. 4, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 17)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-2 Nomination of John Arrigo to be Ambassador to Portugal Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 42)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-2 Nomination of John Arrigo to be Ambassador to Portugal Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 42)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 19)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/08 S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
10/07 HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/01 HB 4962 Establishes the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund Bill Passed - House (93 - 16)
9/23 HB 358 Appropriates Funds for Disaster Relief and Extends Other Funds to Future Fiscal Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 4)
9/19 PN 343 Nomination of Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (47 - 43)
9/19 PN 343 Nomination of Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 45)
9/12 AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 18)
9/11 SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
9/11 AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 9)
9/11 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 20)
9/11 AB 325 Prohibits a Person from Using or Distributing a Common Pricing Algorithm to Restrain Trade or Commerce Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/11 HR 3486 Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
9/11 AB 308 Prohibits Public Funds From Being Used to Pay for Health Care Services for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
9/11 HB 4755 Prohibits Unfair, Unconscionable, or Deceptive Acts or Practices in the Conduct of Trade or Commerce. Bill Passed - House (103 - 1)
9/10 S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
9/10 AB 495 Authorizes Undocumented Parents to Appoint a Legal Guardian Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/10 AB 419 Requires Educational Agencies to Post Certain Immigration Enforcement Information on Their Website and Administrative Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/10 HR 3838 Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - House (231 - 196)
9/09 AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 15)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
9/09 SB 627 Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
9/09 PN 129-10 Nomination of Robert Law to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
9/08 AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/04 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
9/02 AB 49 Prohibits School Officials From Allowing an Immigration Authority Onto a Nonpublic School Site Without a Warrant or Court Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 7)
9/02 SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/02 SB 81 Prohibits Immigration Enforcement from Obtaining Medical Information from Healthcare Providers without a Valid Warrant Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
9/02 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
9/02 HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
9/02 HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
8/04 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
8/02 PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 17)
8/02 PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
8/02 PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
8/02 PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
8/02 PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
8/02 PN 26-2 Nomination of John Arrigo to be Ambassador to Portugal Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 42)
8/02 PN 26-2 Nomination of John Arrigo to be Ambassador to Portugal Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 42)
8/02 PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
8/02 PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 19)
8/02 PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
8/02 PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)

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