National Criminal Justice 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
Aug. 8, 2026 National PN 1078 Nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, vice Pamela Bondi Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
June 17, 2026 National S Res 616 A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 50)
June 11, 2026 National PN 904-1 Nomination of Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, vice Reed Rubinstein Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
June 5, 2026 National S 1318 Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
June 5, 2026 National S 2 Secure America Act Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
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)
June 3, 2026 National S 2 Secure America Act Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 46)
April 29, 2026 National PN 730-14 Nomination of Robert Cekada, of Florida, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, vice Steven M. Dettelbach, resigned Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
April 27, 2026 National PN 730-14 Nomination of Robert Cekada, of Florida, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, vice Steven M. Dettelbach, resigned Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 37)
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 24, 2026 National PN 786-9 Nomination of Colin McDonald, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Todd Sunhwae Kim Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 23, 2026 National PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem (54 - 45)
March 23, 2026 National PN 786-9 Nomination of Colin McDonald, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Todd Sunhwae Kim Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 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)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
Jan. 12, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
Jan. 6, 2026 National PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
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 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 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
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 30, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
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 22, 2025 National PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
July 21, 2025 National PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 43)
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 11, 2025 National S J Res 54 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
June 11, 2025 National S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Qatar of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
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 13, 2025 National PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
May 12, 2025 National PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
April 2, 2025 National PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/08 PN 1078 Nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, vice Pamela Bondi Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
6/17 S Res 616 A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 50)
6/11 PN 904-1 Nomination of Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, vice Reed Rubinstein Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
6/05 S 1318 Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
6/05 S 2 Secure America Act Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
6/05 S 2 Secure America Act Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
6/03 S 2 Secure America Act Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 46)
6/03 S 2 Secure America Act Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 46)
4/29 PN 730-14 Nomination of Robert Cekada, of Florida, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, vice Steven M. Dettelbach, resigned Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
4/27 PN 730-14 Nomination of Robert Cekada, of Florida, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, vice Steven M. Dettelbach, resigned Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 37)
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)
3/24 PN 786-9 Nomination of Colin McDonald, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Todd Sunhwae Kim Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/23 PN 858 Nomination of Markwayne Mullin, of Oklahoma, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, vice Kristi Noem (54 - 45)
3/23 PN 786-9 Nomination of Colin McDonald, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Todd Sunhwae Kim Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 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)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
1/12 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
1/06 PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
12/18 PN 373 Nomination of Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
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)
7/31 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
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)
7/30 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
7/23 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/22 PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/21 PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 43)
7/17 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
6/11 S J Res 54 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
6/11 S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Qatar of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
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)
5/13 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
5/12 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
4/02 PN 12-11 Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)

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