National Foreign Affairs 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
April 2, 2025 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
April 1, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
March 31, 2025 National PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
March 24, 2025 National PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
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 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 32)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
March 6, 2025 National PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
March 6, 2025 National PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2025 National PN 11-17 Nomination of Jamieson Greer to be U.S. Trade Representative Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2025 National S J Res 10 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 52)
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 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. 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)
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)
Feb. 12, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 10, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 3, 2025 National PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
Jan. 28, 2025 National HR 23 Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Jan. 28, 2025 National HR 23 Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Jan. 25, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
Jan. 24, 2025 National PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
Jan. 23, 2025 National PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
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 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Jan. 21, 2025 National PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 20, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
Jan. 20, 2025 National PN 11-13 Nomination of Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (99 - 0)
Jan. 17, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 35)
Jan. 13, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Motion Agreed - Senate (82 - 10)
Jan. 8, 2025 National S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 9)
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)
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)
May 23, 2024 National S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
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 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 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)
March 21, 2024 National S J Res 62 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (70 - 25)
March 21, 2024 National S J Res 62 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (70 - 25)
March 8, 2024 National HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (75 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/02 S J Res 37 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 48)
4/01 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
3/31 PN 25-56 Nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 42)
3/24 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (62 - 30)
3/24 PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 31)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 40)
3/14 PN 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
3/14 PN 12-25 Nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 32)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
3/06 PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/06 PN 12-14 Nomination of Troy Edgar to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
2/26 PN 11-17 Nomination of Jamieson Greer to be U.S. Trade Representative Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/26 S J Res 10 A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (47 - 52)
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 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)
2/20 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)
2/18 PN 12-35 Nomination of Kashyap Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Motion Agreed - Senate (48 - 45)
2/12 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/10 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
2/06 PN 11-16 Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/04 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 46)
2/03 PN 11-2 Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
1/28 HR 23 Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
1/28 HR 23 Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
1/25 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 34)
1/24 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 50)
1/24 PN 11-11 Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
1/23 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (74 - 25)
1/23 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (72 - 26)
1/23 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
1/21 PN 11-19 Nomination of John Ratcliffe to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
1/21 PN 11-7 Nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/20 S 5 Laken Riley Act Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
1/20 PN 11-13 Nomination of Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (99 - 0)
1/17 S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 35)
1/13 S 5 Laken Riley Act Motion Agreed - Senate (82 - 10)
1/08 S 5 Laken Riley Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 9)
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)
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)
5/23 S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
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)
4/23 HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
4/23 HR 815 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 18)
3/21 S J Res 62 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (70 - 25)
3/21 S J Res 62 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (70 - 25)
3/08 HR 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (75 - 22)

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