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
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
July 29, 2025 NC HB 318 Reduces the Timeline for Law Enforcement to Alert ICE before an Undocumented Immigrant Criminal Suspect is Released Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 48)
July 29, 2025 NC HB 318 Reduces the Timeline for Law Enforcement to Alert ICE before an Undocumented Immigrant Criminal Suspect is Released Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 153 Requires the Department of Public Safety to Cooperate with Federal Immigration Officials Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 153 Requires State Police to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Authorizes Individuals to Sue Local Governments for Crimes Committed by Undocumented Immigrants Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
July 29, 2025 National PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 29, 2025 National PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
July 28, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
July 24, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
July 23, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
July 23, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
July 23, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
July 23, 2025 National HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
July 22, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
July 22, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
July 22, 2025 National PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
July 18, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
July 18, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
July 17, 2025 National HR 4 Rescissions Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
July 17, 2025 National HR 4 Rescissions Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
July 17, 2025 National PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
July 17, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
July 17, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
July 17, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
July 15, 2025 National PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
July 15, 2025 National HR 4 Rescissions Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 15, 2025 National HR 4 Rescissions Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 15, 2025 National PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
June 30, 2025 PA HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (181 - 22)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 655 Authorizes the Speaker of the Assembly to Appoint a Member of the Assembly and the President pro Tempore to Appoint a Member of the Senate to the California-Mexico Border Relations Council Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
7/30 S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
7/30 S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
7/30 S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
7/29 HB 318 Reduces the Timeline for Law Enforcement to Alert ICE before an Undocumented Immigrant Criminal Suspect is Released Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 48)
7/29 HB 318 Reduces the Timeline for Law Enforcement to Alert ICE before an Undocumented Immigrant Criminal Suspect is Released Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 SB 153 Requires the Department of Public Safety to Cooperate with Federal Immigration Officials Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 SB 153 Requires State Police to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Authorizes Individuals to Sue Local Governments for Crimes Committed by Undocumented Immigrants Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/29 PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/29 PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
7/28 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
7/24 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
7/23 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
7/23 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
7/23 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/23 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
7/23 HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
7/23 HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
7/22 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
7/22 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
7/22 PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
7/18 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
7/18 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
7/17 HR 4 Rescissions Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
7/17 HR 4 Rescissions Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
7/17 PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
7/17 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
7/17 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
7/17 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
7/15 PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
7/15 HR 4 Rescissions Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/15 HR 4 Rescissions Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/15 PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
6/30 HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (181 - 22)
6/30 S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - House (72 - 0)
6/30 S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
6/27 AB 655 Authorizes the Speaker of the Assembly to Appoint a Member of the Assembly and the President pro Tempore to Appoint a Member of the Senate to the California-Mexico Border Relations Council Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)

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