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. 12, 2019 National HR 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
Dec. 11, 2019 National S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 48)
Dec. 11, 2019 National HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
Nov. 21, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
Nov. 21, 2019 National HR 1309 Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 158)
Nov. 15, 2019 National HR 4863 United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
Oct. 29, 2019 National H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
Oct. 29, 2019 National HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
Oct. 17, 2019 National S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53)
Oct. 16, 2019 National H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
July 29, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
July 24, 2019 National HR 397 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (264 - 169)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (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)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (237 - 190)
July 17, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
July 12, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
July 12, 2019 National HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 197)
June 27, 2019 National S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
June 20, 2019 National S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
May 22, 2019 National HR 1500 Consumers First Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 191)
May 16, 2019 National HR 987 MORE Health Education Act Bill Passed - House (234 - 183)
May 9, 2019 National HR 986 Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 183)
May 2, 2019 National HR 9 Climate Action Now Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 190)
April 4, 2019 National S J Res 7 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (247 - 175)
April 3, 2019 National H Res 271 Condemning the Trump Administration's Legal Campaign to Take Away Americans' Health Care Bill Passed - House (240 - 186)
March 26, 2019 National S J Res 8 A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57)
March 25, 2019 National HR 1616 European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (391 - 24)
March 13, 2019 National S J Res 7 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 46)
Feb. 13, 2019 National H J Res 37 Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
Feb. 5, 2019 National S 1 Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 23)
Jan. 22, 2019 National HR 676 NATO Support Act Bill Passed - House (357 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/12 HR 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
12/11 S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - House (377 - 48)
12/11 HR 5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (260 - 165)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
11/21 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
11/21 HR 1309 Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 158)
11/15 HR 4863 United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (235 - 184)
10/29 H Res 296 Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide Bill Passed - House (405 - 11)
10/29 HR 4695 Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act Bill Passed - House (403 - 16)
10/17 S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53)
10/16 H J Res 77 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria Bill Passed - House (354 - 60)
9/26 HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
7/29 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 41)
7/29 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 40)
7/29 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Veto Override Failed - Senate (45 - 39)
7/24 HR 397 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (264 - 169)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (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)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/17 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
7/17 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (237 - 190)
7/17 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - House (238 - 190)
7/12 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
7/12 HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 197)
6/27 S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 8)
6/20 S J Res 27 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of France of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 35 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 38 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 44 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed retransfer of certain defense articles from the United Arab Emirates to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 45)
6/20 S J Res 36 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 45)
5/22 HR 1500 Consumers First Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 191)
5/16 HR 987 MORE Health Education Act Bill Passed - House (234 - 183)
5/09 HR 986 Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 183)
5/02 HR 9 Climate Action Now Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 190)
4/04 S J Res 7 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (247 - 175)
4/03 H Res 271 Condemning the Trump Administration's Legal Campaign to Take Away Americans' Health Care Bill Passed - House (240 - 186)
3/26 S J Res 8 A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57)
3/25 HR 1616 European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (391 - 24)
3/13 S J Res 7 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 46)
2/13 H J Res 37 Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
2/05 S 1 Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 23)
1/22 HR 676 NATO Support Act Bill Passed - House (357 - 22)

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