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
July 12, 2026 PA HB 2024 Requires County Directors of Veterans Affairs to Undergo Training for PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 2, 2026 NY A 10742 Requires State Route 376 to be Dedicated to East Fishkill Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 1)
April 29, 2026 OK HB 3043 Authorizes the Hiring of Seasonal Employees by the Department of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
April 15, 2026 LA SB 105 Repeals Certain Requirements for Veterans to Access TOPS-Tech Funding Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 25, 2026 National S J Res 103 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
March 24, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
March 21, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (41 - 49)
March 17, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 48)
Jan. 22, 2026 AL SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Dec. 15, 2025 National S 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 20)
Dec. 11, 2025 National S 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (75 - 22)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Sept. 9, 2025 PA SB 64 Authorizes a Special Logo to Promote Majority Veteran-Owned Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
July 31, 2025 National PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
July 29, 2025 National PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44)
July 29, 2025 National PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
July 24, 2025 National PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 24, 2025 National PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - 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 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 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 4712 Establishes the Office of Veteran Advocate and Ombudsman for DMVA and Appropriates Funds Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
June 26, 2025 PA HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
June 9, 2025 PA SB 511 Establishes July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
May 29, 2025 CA SB 54 Prohibits Veterans Disability Service-Connected Compensation From Being Included in Monthly Income Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 29, 2025 CA SB 296 Exempts Totally Disabled Veteran Homeowners from Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
March 27, 2025 National PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 18, 2025 AL SB 67 Increases Governor Authority Over the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2025 National PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (77 - 23)
Feb. 3, 2025 AR HB 1056 Establishes a Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 National PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 13)
Oct. 8, 2024 MI HB 5127 Extends Disabled Veteran License Plate Registration for Partially Disabled Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 269 Requires DD-214s be Inaccessible to Anyone Other than a Veteran or an Immediate Family Member Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 10, 2024 PA SB 1160 Establishes Vietnam War Veterans Day Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 6, 2024 NY S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
May 7, 2024 MO SB 912 Amends and Updates Various State Laws for Military Veterans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
May 7, 2024 MO HB 1495 Requires the Missouri Veterans Commission to Review a Previously Passed Mental Healthcare Plan Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 19, 2024 IA HF 2698 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Veteran Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 253 Establishes State Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
March 25, 2024 ID S 1428 Amends Existing Laws to Clarify that Military Retirement Benefits are Exempt Regardless of Status of the Member Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 30, 2023 NY S 1201 Establishes New Discount Programs for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
Sept. 28, 2022 MI SB 311 Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
Aug. 2, 2022 National S 3373 Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
July 28, 2022 MA H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
July 27, 2022 National S 3373 Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
June 22, 2022 AZ HB 2664 Appropriates Funding for Military Transitional Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/12 HB 2024 Requires County Directors of Veterans Affairs to Undergo Training for PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/02 A 10742 Requires State Route 376 to be Dedicated to East Fishkill Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 1)
4/29 HB 3043 Authorizes the Hiring of Seasonal Employees by the Department of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
4/15 SB 105 Repeals Certain Requirements for Veterans to Access TOPS-Tech Funding Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/25 S J Res 103 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
3/24 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
3/21 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (41 - 49)
3/17 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 48)
1/22 SB 149 Authorizes the Board of Education to Distribute Temporary Teaching Certificates to Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
12/15 S 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 20)
12/11 S 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (75 - 22)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
9/09 SB 64 Authorizes a Special Logo to Promote Majority Veteran-Owned Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
7/23 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
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 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
6/30 A 4712 Establishes the Office of Veteran Advocate and Ombudsman for DMVA and Appropriates Funds Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/30 S 4376 Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
6/26 HB 799 Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
6/09 SB 511 Establishes July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
5/29 SB 54 Prohibits Veterans Disability Service-Connected Compensation From Being Included in Monthly Income Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/29 SB 296 Exempts Totally Disabled Veteran Homeowners from Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
3/27 PN 13-9 Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
2/18 SB 67 Increases Governor Authority Over the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/04 PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (77 - 23)
2/03 HB 1056 Establishes a Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/30 PN 11-5 Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 13)
10/08 HB 5127 Extends Disabled Veteran License Plate Registration for Partially Disabled Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
10/08 HB 269 Requires DD-214s be Inaccessible to Anyone Other than a Veteran or an Immediate Family Member Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/10 SB 1160 Establishes Vietnam War Veterans Day Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/06 S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
5/07 SB 912 Amends and Updates Various State Laws for Military Veterans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
5/07 HB 1495 Requires the Missouri Veterans Commission to Review a Previously Passed Mental Healthcare Plan Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/19 HF 2698 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Veteran Affairs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/11 LB 253 Establishes State Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
3/25 S 1428 Amends Existing Laws to Clarify that Military Retirement Benefits are Exempt Regardless of Status of the Member Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/30 S 1201 Establishes New Discount Programs for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
9/28 SB 311 Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
8/02 S 3373 Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
7/28 H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
7/27 S 3373 Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
6/22 HB 2664 Appropriates Funding for Military Transitional Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)

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