National Populations 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
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
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 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
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)
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. 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. 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 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. 18, 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 Cloture Invoked - Senate (65 - 32)
Nov. 6, 2025 National S J Res 90 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
Nov. 5, 2025 National PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) (57 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2025 National PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Oct. 1, 2025 National PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
Sept. 15, 2025 National PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
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)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 22-18 Nomination of Marcus Molinaro to be Federal Transit Administrator Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 23)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 24-2 Nomination of Sean Cairncross to be National Cyber Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 35)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 25-16 Nomination of Catherine Hanson to be Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
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 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 41)
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 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 Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
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 31, 2025 National PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
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 31, 2025 National PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 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 31, 2025 National PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
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 650 Nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 30)
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)
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)
11/20 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)
11/19 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 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)
11/18 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 Cloture Invoked - Senate (65 - 32)
11/06 S J Res 90 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
11/05 PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) (57 - 43)
11/05 PN 25-37 Nomination of Caleb Orr, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs) Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/08 S J Res 83 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
10/01 PN 26-10 Nomination of Hung Cao to be Under Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 47)
9/15 PN 464 Nomination of Stephen Miran to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
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)
8/02 PN 22-18 Nomination of Marcus Molinaro to be Federal Transit Administrator Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 23)
8/02 PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
8/02 PN 24-2 Nomination of Sean Cairncross to be National Cyber Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 35)
8/02 PN 25-16 Nomination of Catherine Hanson to be Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
8/01 PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
8/01 PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
8/01 PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
8/01 PN 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
8/01 PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 41)
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
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 Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/31 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
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)
7/31 PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
7/31 PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
7/31 PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
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)

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