National Social 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. 1, 2022 National H Con Res 119 Providing for a Correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (52 - 43)
Nov. 29, 2022 National HR 8404 Respect for Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 36)
Nov. 16, 2022 National HR 8404 Respect for Marriage Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 37)
June 23, 2022 National S 2938 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
May 26, 2022 National S J Res 46 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security relating to "Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (46 - 48)
May 11, 2022 National S 4132 Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 51)
March 7, 2022 National HR 55 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2022 National PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
April 22, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 6, 2021 National S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
March 18, 2020 National HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
May 16, 2019 National PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
Dec. 18, 2018 National S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
Sept. 17, 2018 National HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
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 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)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
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 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey 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 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
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 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
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. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
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 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. 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. 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)
July 6, 2016 National S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
July 6, 2016 National S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4750 Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4751 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2915 Defend Our Capital Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2910 Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 20, 2015 National S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 20, 2015 National S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Sept. 24, 2015 National S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
June 2, 2015 National HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
Nov. 18, 2014 National S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
July 16, 2014 National S 2578 Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
March 6, 2014 National S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 4, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
Nov. 4, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
June 27, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
June 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
June 18, 2013 National S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
June 11, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 711 Prohibits the Sale of Assault Weapons Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 60)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 715 Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 46)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 714 Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 54)
March 23, 2013 National S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
Feb. 12, 2013 National S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
Feb. 12, 2013 National S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
Dec. 28, 2012 National HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
Dec. 4, 2012 National Treaty Doc. 112-7 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Treaty Ratification Failed - Senate (61 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/01 H Con Res 119 Providing for a Correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100. Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (52 - 43)
11/29 HR 8404 Respect for Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 36)
11/16 HR 8404 Respect for Marriage Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 37)
6/23 S 2938 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
5/26 S J Res 46 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security relating to "Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (46 - 48)
5/11 S 4132 Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 51)
3/07 HR 55 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0)
2/14 PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
4/22 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/06 S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
3/18 HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
5/16 PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
12/18 S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
9/17 HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
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)
4/18 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)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey 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 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
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)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
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)
3/21 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)
2/15 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)
2/15 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)
7/06 S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
7/06 S 2193 Stop Illegal Reentry Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42)
6/20 S Amdt 4750 Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56)
6/20 S Amdt 4720 Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
6/20 S Amdt 4751 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
6/20 S Amdt 4749 Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
12/03 S Amdt 2915 Defend Our Capital Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
12/03 S Amdt 2910 Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/20 S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/20 S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
9/24 S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
6/02 HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
11/18 S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
7/16 S 2578 Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
3/06 S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
11/07 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
11/07 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
11/07 S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/07 S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/04 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
11/04 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
6/27 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
6/18 S Amdt 1228 Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58)
6/18 S Amdt 1197 Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border Amendment Rejected - Senate (39 - 54)
6/11 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 15)
4/17 S Amdt 711 Prohibits the Sale of Assault Weapons Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 60)
4/17 S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
4/17 S Amdt 715 Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 46)
4/17 S Amdt 714 Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 54)
3/23 S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
2/12 S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
2/12 S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
12/28 HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
12/04 Treaty Doc. 112-7 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Treaty Ratification Failed - Senate (61 - 38)

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