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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 5, 2026 National S 2 Secure America Act Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
June 3, 2026 National S 2 Secure America Act Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 46)
April 1, 2026 MS SB 2409 Establishes a Natural Disaster Mitigation Grant Program for Homeowners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 0)
March 26, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
March 25, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
March 23, 2026 National PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem (54 - 45)
March 22, 2026 National PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 37)
March 20, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 37)
March 12, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
March 5, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Feb. 24, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
Feb. 12, 2026 National HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 28, 2025 National S J Res 81 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
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 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)
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 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
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 17, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
June 3, 2025 National PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 36)
June 3, 2025 National PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 37)
May 29, 2025 IL HB 2987 Establishes the Warehouse Tornado Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 2)
May 13, 2025 NY A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
April 10, 2025 TX SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 26, 2025 KS SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
March 6, 2025 National PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
March 6, 2025 National PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2025 National S J Res 10 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 52)
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)
Feb. 12, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 10, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 3, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Jan. 25, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
Oct. 24, 2024 NC SB 743 Appropriates Emergency Funding for the Disaster Recovery Act Part II Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 0)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1372 Prohibits Public Airports from Contracting with a Private Third Party to Provide Expedited Security Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 29, 2024 CO SB 24-151 Requires the Division of Homeland Security Create Rules for the Removal of Telecommunications Infrastructure Manufactured by a Federally Banned Entity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Feb. 27, 2024 AZ SB 1208 Prohibits Equipment Developed by Foreign Adversaries from Being Used in Critical Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2024 PA SB 792 Establishes Enhanced Counterterrorism Planning Resources Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 ID S 1220 Defines "Domestic Terrorism" in Idaho as Activities Done in Cooperation with Foreign Groups Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 5, 2023 LA HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 30, 2023 CA SB 74 Prohibits the Use of Tik-Tok on Government-Issued Devices Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 29, 2023 National H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
March 23, 2023 SC S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/05 S 2 Secure America Act Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
6/03 S 2 Secure America Act Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 46)
4/01 SB 2409 Establishes a Natural Disaster Mitigation Grant Program for Homeowners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 0)
3/26 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
3/25 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
3/23 PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem (54 - 45)
3/22 PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 37)
3/20 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 37)
3/12 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
3/05 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
2/24 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
2/12 HR 7147 Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/28 S J Res 81 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
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 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)
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 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/23 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/17 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
6/03 PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 36)
6/03 PN 25-19 Nomination of Allison Hooker to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 37)
5/29 HB 2987 Establishes the Warehouse Tornado Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 2)
5/13 A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
4/10 SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/26 SB 9 Limits and Restricts Foreign Land Ownership Around Military Bases and Prohibits the Purchase of Drones Manufactured in Certain Countries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
3/06 PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/06 PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
2/26 S J Res 10 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 52)
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)
2/12 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/10 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
2/06 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/04 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
2/03 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
1/25 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
1/24 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
10/24 SB 743 Appropriates Emergency Funding for the Disaster Recovery Act Part II Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 0)
5/22 SB 1372 Prohibits Public Airports from Contracting with a Private Third Party to Provide Expedited Security Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/29 SB 24-151 Requires the Division of Homeland Security Create Rules for the Removal of Telecommunications Infrastructure Manufactured by a Federally Banned Entity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
2/27 SB 1208 Prohibits Equipment Developed by Foreign Adversaries from Being Used in Critical Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/07 SB 792 Establishes Enhanced Counterterrorism Planning Resources Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
1/25 S 1220 Defines "Domestic Terrorism" in Idaho as Activities Done in Cooperation with Foreign Groups Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/05 HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/30 SB 74 Prohibits the Use of Tik-Tok on Government-Issued Devices Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
4/12 HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/29 H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
3/23 S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
2/25 SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)

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