Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Jan. 14, 2026 VA HJ 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Jan. 14, 2026 VA HJ 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Jan. 12, 2026 NJ A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Jan. 12, 2026 NJ A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Jan. 8, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
Jan. 8, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
Jan. 8, 2026 National HR 131 Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
Jan. 8, 2026 National HR 1834 Breaking the Gridlock Act Bill Passed - House (320 - 196)
Jan. 7, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
Jan. 7, 2026 National S J Res 86 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 50)
Jan. 7, 2026 National H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
Jan. 7, 2026 National S J Res 86 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 50)
Jan. 6, 2026 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 6, 2026 National PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Jan. 5, 2026 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
Dec. 18, 2025 National HR 4776 Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 196)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (67 - 30)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
Dec. 17, 2025 National PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
Dec. 17, 2025 National H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
Dec. 17, 2025 PA HB 1957 Establishes a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
Dec. 16, 2025 National HR 3632 Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (222 - 202)
Dec. 15, 2025 National HR 3187 To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
Dec. 12, 2025 National HR 3668 Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 184)
Dec. 11, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
Dec. 11, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
Dec. 11, 2025 National H Res 939 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Tabled - House (237 - 140)
Dec. 11, 2025 National HR 2550 Protect America's Workforce Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 195)
Dec. 9, 2025 National HR 1676 Make State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) Efficient Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (400 - 0)
Dec. 5, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Dec. 5, 2025 IN HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Dec. 3, 2025 National S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
Nov. 21, 2025 National H Con Res 58 Denouncing the horrors of socialism Joint Resolution Passed - House (285 - 98)
Nov. 20, 2025 National H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 43)
Nov. 20, 2025 National HR 3109 Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 176)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 293 Amends the Deadline to Return Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
Nov. 19, 2025 National PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson (66 - 32)
Nov. 19, 2025 National H Res 893 Censuring Representative Cory Mills of Florida and removing him from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs Motion Agreed - House (310 - 103)
Nov. 19, 2025 National S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
Nov. 19, 2025 National S J Res 89 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 293 Amends the Deadline to Return Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 602 Requires the Governor to Opt-In to the Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 617 Amends Elections Laws Relating to Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 National HR 4058 Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act Bill Passed - House (380 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/14 HJ 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
1/14 HJ 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
1/12 A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
1/12 A 5886 Amends the Process for Filling Vacancies From New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
1/08 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
1/08 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Resolution Passed - House (224 - 202)
1/08 HR 131 Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
1/08 HR 1834 Breaking the Gridlock Act Bill Passed - House (320 - 196)
1/07 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
1/07 S J Res 86 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 50)
1/07 H Res 780 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1834) to advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock Motion Agreed - House (221 - 205)
1/07 S J Res 86 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period" Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 50)
1/06 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/06 PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
1/05 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)
12/18 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
12/18 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
12/18 PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
12/18 HR 4776 Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 196)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 29)
12/17 PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (67 - 30)
12/17 PN 645-2 Nomination of Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (69 - 27)
12/17 PN 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
12/17 H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
12/17 HB 1957 Establishes a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
12/16 HR 3632 Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (222 - 202)
12/15 HR 3187 To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
12/12 HR 3668 Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 184)
12/11 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
12/11 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 31)
12/11 H Res 939 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Tabled - House (237 - 140)
12/11 HR 2550 Protect America's Workforce Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 195)
12/09 HR 1676 Make State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) Efficient Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (400 - 0)
12/05 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
12/05 HB 1032 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
12/03 S J Res 91 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision" Motion Agreed - Senate (49 - 47)
11/21 H Con Res 58 Denouncing the horrors of socialism Joint Resolution Passed - House (285 - 98)
11/20 H J Res 130 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 43)
11/20 HR 3109 Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 176)
11/19 SB 293 Amends the Deadline to Return Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
11/19 PN 445-6 Nomination of Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029, vice Christopher T. Hanson (66 - 32)
11/19 H Res 893 Censuring Representative Cory Mills of Florida and removing him from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs Motion Agreed - House (310 - 103)
11/19 S J Res 76 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Final Rule" Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 51)
11/19 S J Res 89 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment" Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 47)
11/19 SB 293 Amends the Deadline to Return Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
11/19 HB 309 Amends the Tax Code to Expand the Authority of the County Budget Commission to Modify Levies and Reduce a Taxing Unit's Millage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/19 AB 602 Requires the Governor to Opt-In to the Federal School Choice Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
11/19 AB 617 Amends Elections Laws Relating to Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
11/19 HR 4058 Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act Bill Passed - House (380 - 45)

arrow_upward