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. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2018 National HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
July 19, 2018 National S Res 584 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0)
July 18, 2018 National PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit (50 - 49)
July 17, 2018 National PN 1391 Nomination of James Blew to Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development for the Department of Education (50 - 49)
July 17, 2018 National PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
July 11, 2018 National PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)
July 10, 2018 National PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
June 28, 2018 National HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
June 20, 2018 National HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
June 18, 2018 National HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
May 17, 2018 National PN 1857 Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (54 - 45)
May 17, 2018 National PN 1857 Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
May 16, 2018 National S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
April 19, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
April 18, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
April 18, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
April 12, 2018 National PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (53 - 45)
April 12, 2018 National PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
March 23, 2018 National HR 1625 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 20, 2018 National S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Tabled - Senate (55 - 44)
March 14, 2018 National S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 22, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Jan. 20, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Dec. 20, 2017 National HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
Dec. 2, 2017 National HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Oct. 24, 2017 National HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
Oct. 24, 2017 National H J Res 111 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
Oct. 23, 2017 National HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Cloture Invoked - Senate (79 - 16)
Oct. 19, 2017 National H Con Res 71 Establishing the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2018 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 18, 2017 National HR 2810 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 8)
Sept. 13, 2017 National SA 871 Repeal of Authorization for Use of Military Force and Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 36)
Sept. 7, 2017 National HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
July 28, 2017 National S Amdt 667 Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
July 27, 2017 National HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
July 27, 2017 National S Amdt 340 Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (0 - 57)
July 26, 2017 National S Amdt 271 Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
July 25, 2017 National S Amdt 270 Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 57)
June 15, 2017 National S 722 Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
May 22, 2017 National PN 52 Nomination of Terry Branstad to be Ambassador of the United States to the People's Republic of China Nomination Confirmed - Senate (82 - 13)
May 18, 2017 National PN 52 Nomination of Terry Branstad to be Ambassador of the United States to the People's Republic of China Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 12)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
May 11, 2017 National PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
May 4, 2017 National HR 244 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
May 2, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
May 1, 2017 National PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
April 27, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
April 26, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
April 7, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
April 6, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
March 30, 2017 National H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
March 23, 2017 National PN 53 Nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Israel Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 23, 2017 National PN 53 Nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
March 23, 2017 National S J Res 34 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
March 21, 2017 National H J Res 69 Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 17, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2017 National PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2017 National PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 10, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 10, 2017 National PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
Feb. 8, 2017 National PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 8, 2017 National PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
8/01 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
8/01 HR 6147 Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
7/19 S Res 584 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0)
7/18 PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit (50 - 49)
7/17 PN 1391 Nomination of James Blew to Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development for the Department of Education (50 - 49)
7/17 PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
7/11 PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)
7/10 PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
6/28 HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
6/20 HR 3 Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 50)
6/18 HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10)
5/17 PN 1857 Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (54 - 45)
5/17 PN 1857 Nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
5/16 S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
4/19 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
4/18 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
4/18 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
4/12 PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (53 - 45)
4/12 PN 1426 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
3/23 HR 1625 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/20 S J Res 54 To Direct the Removal of United States Armed Forces from Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been Authorized by Congress Bill Tabled - Senate (55 - 44)
3/14 S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 31)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
1/22 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
1/20 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
12/20 HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
12/02 HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
10/24 HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
10/24 H J Res 111 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
10/23 HR 2266 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Cloture Invoked - Senate (79 - 16)
10/19 H Con Res 71 Establishing the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2018 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
9/18 HR 2810 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 8)
9/13 SA 871 Repeal of Authorization for Use of Military Force and Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 36)
9/07 HR 601 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (80 - 17)
7/28 S Amdt 667 Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
7/27 HR 3364 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
7/27 S Amdt 340 Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (0 - 57)
7/26 S Amdt 271 Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
7/25 S Amdt 270 Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 57)
6/15 S 722 Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2)
5/22 PN 52 Nomination of Terry Branstad to be Ambassador of the United States to the People's Republic of China Nomination Confirmed - Senate (82 - 13)
5/18 PN 52 Nomination of Terry Branstad to be Ambassador of the United States to the People's Republic of China Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 12)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative (82 - 14)
5/11 PN 42 Nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be a United States Trade Representative Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 15)
5/04 HR 244 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
5/02 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37)
5/01 PN 47 Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36)
4/27 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38)
4/26 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
4/07 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
4/06 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
3/30 H J Res 43 Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
3/23 PN 53 Nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Israel Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/23 PN 53 Nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
3/23 S J Res 34 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
3/21 H J Res 69 Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/17 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/16 PN 44 Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
2/10 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/10 PN 26 Nomination of Steven T. Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
2/08 PN 30 Nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
2/08 PN 33 Nomination of Thomas Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)

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