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
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 24-2 Nomination of Sean Cairncross to be National Cyber Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 35)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 22-18 Nomination of Marcus Molinaro to be Federal Transit Administrator Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 23)
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. 2, 2025 National PN 25-16 Nomination of Catherine Hanson to be Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 19)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Aug. 2, 2025 National PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
Aug. 1, 2025 National HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
Aug. 1, 2025 National PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 41)
July 31, 2025 National PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
July 31, 2025 National PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
July 31, 2025 National PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
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 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
July 31, 2025 National PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
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 31, 2025 National PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
July 30, 2025 National S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
July 29, 2025 National PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
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 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
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 29, 2025 National PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
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 29, 2025 National PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
July 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
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 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 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 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 23, 2025 National PN 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 41)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/02 PN 24-2 Nomination of Sean Cairncross to be National Cyber Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 35)
8/02 PN 22-18 Nomination of Marcus Molinaro to be Federal Transit Administrator Nomination Confirmed - Senate (71 - 23)
8/02 PN 55-43 Nomination of Adam Telle to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army Nomination Confirmed - Senate (72 - 22)
8/02 PN 25-16 Nomination of Catherine Hanson to be Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
8/02 PN 12-26 Nomination of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (76 - 19)
8/02 PN 26-5 Nomination of Brian Burch to be Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City) Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
8/02 PN 26-39 Nomination of Andrew Puzder to be Representative of the United States to the European Union (EU) Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 41)
8/01 HR 3944 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 9)
8/01 PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
8/01 PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
8/01 PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
8/01 PN 25-35 Nomination of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
8/01 PN 55-36 Nomination of Luigi Rinaldi to be Ambassador to Uruguay Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
8/01 PN 13-11 Nomination of Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 41)
7/31 PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
7/31 PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
7/31 PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/31 PN 25-26 Nomination of Nicholas Kent to be Under Secretary of Education Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
7/31 PN 55-28 Nomination of Andrea Lucas to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
7/31 PN 26-49 Nomination of David Woll to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/30 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
7/30 PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 S J Res 41 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel. Motion Rejected - Senate (27 - 70)
7/30 S J Res 34 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services. Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 73)
7/29 PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44)
7/29 PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/29 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/29 PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
7/29 PN 22-13 Nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
7/28 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
7/24 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - 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 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 47)
7/23 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/23 PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 41)

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