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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:
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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
Dec. 18, 2025 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
Dec. 17, 2025 National H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
Nov. 12, 2025 OH HB 251 Establishes Requirements for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (94 - 2)
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)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 9, 2025 National S 2296 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
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)
Sept. 10, 2025 National S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
Sept. 10, 2025 National HR 3838 Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - House (231 - 196)
Sept. 4, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
Sept. 2, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
Sept. 2, 2025 National HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
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. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
July 29, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
July 28, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
July 24, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
July 23, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
July 23, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
July 22, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
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 17, 2025 NC HB 91 Amends and Redefines "Armed Forces" Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
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 Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
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 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 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 Cloture Invoked - 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 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 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
March 14, 2025 National PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 36)
12/18 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
12/17 H Con Res 61 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere Joint Resolution Failed - House (210 - 216)
11/12 HB 251 Establishes Requirements for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (94 - 2)
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)
10/16 HR 4016 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/09 S 2296 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
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)
9/10 S 2296 S. Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
9/10 HR 3838 Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Bill Passed - House (231 - 196)
9/04 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (83 - 13)
9/02 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
9/02 HR 4216 Made-in-America Defense Act Bill Passed - House (395 - 20)
8/02 PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
7/29 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/28 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
7/24 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
7/23 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
7/23 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
7/23 HR 4275 Coast Guard Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (399 - 12)
7/22 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7)
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)
6/17 HB 91 Amends and Redefines "Armed Forces" Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
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 Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 26)
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 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 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 Cloture Invoked - 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)
4/08 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 12-36 Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy Cloture Invoked - Senate (64 - 33)
3/14 PN 12-16 Nomination of Stephen Feinberg to be Deputy Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (56 - 39)
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)
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