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National Defense 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 22, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
July 18, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
July 17, 2025 National PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
June 27, 2025 National S J Res 59 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
June 25, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
June 24, 2025 National PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
June 23, 2025 National PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 33)
June 3, 2025 National PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
June 3, 2025 National PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
June 3, 2025 National PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
June 2, 2025 National PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
May 14, 2025 National PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
May 13, 2025 National PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
May 13, 2025 National PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
April 11, 2025 National PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 26)
April 11, 2025 National PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 25)
April 11, 2025 National PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
April 11, 2025 National PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 25)
April 8, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 National HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2025 National PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2025 National PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
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)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 21, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
Dec. 16, 2024 National S 141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
Sept. 25, 2024 National H Res 1469 Ensuring accountability for key officials in the Biden- Harris administration responsible for decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 194)
July 11, 2024 National S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
June 28, 2024 National HR 8774 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
June 14, 2024 National HR 8070 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
June 5, 2024 National HR 8580 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (209 - 197)
May 16, 2024 National HR 8369 Israel Security Assistance Support Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 187)
May 14, 2024 National HR 7659 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (376 - 16)
April 23, 2024 National HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8034 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 58)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8035 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 112)
April 20, 2024 National HR 8036 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (385 - 34)
April 18, 2024 National H Res 1143 Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel. Resolution Passed - House (404 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/22 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48)
7/18 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (221 - 209)
7/17 PN 22-7 Nomination of Bradley Hansell to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 31)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
6/27 S J Res 59 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
6/25 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
6/24 PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
6/23 PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 33)
6/03 PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
6/03 PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
6/03 PN 22-16 Nomination of Dale Marks to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
6/02 PN 17 Nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
5/14 PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
5/14 PN 12-31 Nomination of Emil Michael to be Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
5/13 PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
5/13 PN 12-30 Nomination of Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
4/11 PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 26)
4/11 PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 25)
4/11 PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
4/11 PN 28 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 25)
4/08 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
3/24 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
3/14 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
2/25 PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 28)
2/24 PN 12-12 Nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army Cloture Invoked - Senate (66 - 28)
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)
1/24 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
1/23 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
1/21 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
12/16 S 141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (382 - 12)
9/25 H Res 1469 Ensuring accountability for key officials in the Biden- Harris administration responsible for decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 194)
7/11 S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
6/28 HR 8774 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
6/14 HR 8070 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 199)
6/05 HR 8580 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (209 - 197)
5/16 HR 8369 Israel Security Assistance Support Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 187)
5/14 HR 7659 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (376 - 16)
4/23 HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
4/20 HR 8034 Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 58)
4/20 HR 8035 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (311 - 112)
4/20 HR 8036 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 Bill Passed - House (385 - 34)
4/18 H Res 1143 Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel. Resolution Passed - House (404 - 14)
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