Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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. 15, 2025 | National | S 1071 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 | Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 20) |
| Dec. 11, 2025 | National | S 1071 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 | Motion Agreed - Senate (75 - 22) |
| Oct. 16, 2025 | National | HR 4016 | Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44) |
| Sept. 9, 2025 | PA | SB 64 | Authorizes a Special Logo to Promote Majority Veteran-Owned Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Aug. 1, 2025 | National | HR 3944 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9) |
| July 31, 2025 | National | PN 141-30 | Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45) |
| July 31, 2025 | National | PN 141-30 | Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs | Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41) |
| July 29, 2025 | National | PN 12-7 | Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44) |
| July 29, 2025 | National | PN 12-7 | Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services | Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
| July 24, 2025 | National | PN 25-54 | Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47) |
| July 24, 2025 | National | PN 25-54 | Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs | Cloture Invoked - 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 22, 2025 | National | HR 3944 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 | Cloture Invoked - Senate (91 - 7) |
| July 22, 2025 | National | HR 3944 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 | Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 48) |
| June 30, 2025 | NJ | A 4712 | Establishes the Office of Veteran Advocate and Ombudsman for DMVA and Appropriates Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 30, 2025 | NJ | S 4376 | Amends and Restructures the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| June 26, 2025 | PA | HB 799 | Amends Regulations for Veterans' Benefits and Services Workplace Posting | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4) |
| May 29, 2025 | CA | SB 54 | Prohibits Veterans Disability Service-Connected Compensation From Being Included in Monthly Income | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| March 27, 2025 | National | PN 13-9 | Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45) |
| March 27, 2025 | National | PN 13-9 | Nomination of Paul Lawrence to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
| Feb. 18, 2025 | AL | SB 67 | Increases Governor Authority Over the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | National | PN 11-5 | Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (77 - 23) |
| Feb. 3, 2025 | AR | HB 1056 | Establishes a Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| Jan. 30, 2025 | National | PN 11-5 | Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 13) |
| Oct. 8, 2024 | MI | HB 5127 | Extends Disabled Veteran License Plate Registration for Partially Disabled Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1) |
| Oct. 8, 2024 | PA | HB 269 | Requires DD-214s be Inaccessible to Anyone Other than a Veteran or an Immediate Family Member | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| July 10, 2024 | PA | SB 1160 | Establishes Vietnam War Veterans Day | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 6, 2024 | NY | S 8596 | Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
| May 7, 2024 | MO | SB 912 | Amends and Updates Various State Laws for Military Veterans | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| May 7, 2024 | MO | HB 1495 | Requires the Missouri Veterans Commission to Review a Previously Passed Mental Healthcare Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| April 19, 2024 | IA | HF 2698 | Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Veteran Affairs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| April 11, 2024 | NE | LB 253 | Establishes State Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration for Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0) |
| March 25, 2024 | ID | S 1428 | Amends Existing Laws to Clarify that Military Retirement Benefits are Exempt Regardless of Status of the Member | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| May 30, 2023 | NY | S 1201 | Establishes New Discount Programs for Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1) |
| Sept. 28, 2022 | MI | SB 311 | Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
| Aug. 2, 2022 | National | S 3373 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (86 - 11) |
| July 28, 2022 | MA | H 5106 | Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth | (40 - 0) |
| July 27, 2022 | National | S 3373 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
| June 22, 2022 | AZ | HB 2664 | Appropriates Funding for Military Transitional Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
| June 16, 2022 | National | HR 3967 | Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | A 5278 | Amends Retirement and Social Security Laws for Discharged LGBT Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0) |
| March 5, 2022 | FL | HB 45 | Rescinds Tuition Fees for Disabled Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| March 2, 2022 | FL | SB 1712 | Establishes the Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Pilot Program | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| Feb. 23, 2022 | FL | SB 896 | Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 519 | Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Feb. 8, 2021 | National | PN 78-14 | Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7) |
| June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1582 | Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0) |
| June 11, 2019 | NY | S 45 | Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
| April 16, 2013 | MN | SF 1589 | Increases Legislator Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32) |
| March 20, 2013 | National | HR 933 | Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 26) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | UT | SB 44 | Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14) |
| Oct. 11, 2011 | National | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
| Dec. 21, 2010 | National | HR 3082 | Continuing Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16) |
| May 27, 2010 | National | HR 4899 | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28) |
| Dec. 18, 2008 | OH | HB 649 | Funding Veterans' Bonuses Using the Budget Stabilization Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Aug. 19, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Aug. 19, 2008 | IL | HB 5285 | Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 17) |
| July 26, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 10, 2008 | IA | HF 2359 | Veterans Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Jan. 22, 2008 | National | HR 4986 | Defense Authorizations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3) |
| Oct. 29, 2007 | MI | H Sub for Sub SB 235 | 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | MI | S Sub for Sub HB 5194 | Income Tax Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | National | HR 1585 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
| March 22, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
| May 11, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | National | S Amdt 2735 | Tax Rate Extension Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | National | HR 4297 | Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 31) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
| Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
| Nov. 17, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2634 | Additional Funding For Veterans Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Oct. 5, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1937 | Health Care for Veterans Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 51) |
| July 29, 2005 | National | HR 2361 | Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1) |
| July 14, 2005 | National | HR 2360 | Homeland Security Department FY 2006 Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
| March 10, 2005 | National | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
| Nov. 8, 2001 | National | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
| Oct. 15, 1999 | National | HR 2684 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| Oct. 8, 1998 | National | HR 4194 | FY 1999 VA-HUD Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 1) |
| Sept. 27, 1994 | National | HR 4624 | Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 9) |
| Aug. 4, 1994 | National | HR 4624 | Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development | Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 9) |
| Sept. 22, 1993 | National | HR 2491 | Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 9) |