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. 18, 2025 National HR 1366 Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 198)
Dec. 9, 2025 National HR 1676 Make State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) Efficient Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (400 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2025 National HR 4058 Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act Bill Passed - House (380 - 45)
Nov. 12, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (222 - 209)
Nov. 10, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40)
Nov. 9, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
Nov. 4, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 44)
Oct. 28, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 22, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
Oct. 20, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Oct. 16, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
Oct. 15, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Oct. 14, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
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. 8, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 8, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Oct. 3, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
Oct. 3, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
Sept. 30, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
Sept. 30, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Sept. 29, 2025 National S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
Sept. 19, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
Sept. 19, 2025 National S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
Sept. 18, 2025 National HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (217 - 212)
Sept. 17, 2025 National H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
Sept. 16, 2025 National S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
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. 4, 2025 National HR 4553 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (214 - 213)
Sept. 2, 2025 National S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
July 3, 2025 National HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (218 - 214)
July 3, 2025 National H Res 566 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14 Resolution Passed - House (219 - 213)
July 1, 2025 National HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
June 28, 2025 National HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 49)
May 22, 2025 National HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
April 9, 2025 National H Res 313 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 215)
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 3, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
April 3, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
April 1, 2025 National HR 1491 Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 0)
March 31, 2025 National HR 997 National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (385 - 0)
March 31, 2025 National HR 517 Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
March 25, 2025 National PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
March 14, 2025 National HR 1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 46)
March 11, 2025 National HR 1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
Feb. 25, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
Feb. 25, 2025 National H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
Feb. 21, 2025 National S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 18, 2025 National S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
Feb. 6, 2025 National PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 5, 2025 National PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Feb. 3, 2025 National PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 46)
Jan. 15, 2025 National HR 33 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for the taxation of certain residents of Taiwan with income from sources within the United States Bill Passed - House (423 - 1)
Jan. 14, 2025 National HR 153 Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
Jan. 13, 2025 National HR 152 Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act Bill Passed - House (405 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 HR 1366 Mining Regulatory Clarity Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 198)
12/09 HR 1676 Make State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) Efficient Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (400 - 0)
11/19 HR 4058 Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act Bill Passed - House (380 - 45)
11/12 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (222 - 209)
11/10 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40)
11/09 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
11/04 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 44)
10/28 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
10/22 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 46)
10/20 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
10/16 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
10/15 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
10/14 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
10/09 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/09 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 50)
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)
10/08 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/08 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
10/03 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 44)
10/03 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
9/30 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (55 - 45)
9/30 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
9/29 S 2806 Eliminate Shutdowns Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (37 - 61)
9/19 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 48)
9/19 S 2882 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 45)
9/18 HR 5371 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (217 - 212)
9/17 H Res 722 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5371) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk; and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 210)
9/16 S Con Res 22 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. Motion Rejected - Senate (36 - 62)
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)
9/04 HR 4553 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - House (214 - 213)
9/02 S 2296 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 14)
7/03 HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (218 - 214)
7/03 H Res 566 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14 Resolution Passed - House (219 - 213)
7/01 HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
6/28 HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 49)
5/22 HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
4/09 H Res 313 Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (216 - 215)
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)
4/03 H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
4/03 H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 48)
4/01 HR 1491 Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act Bill Passed - House (423 - 0)
3/31 HR 997 National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (385 - 0)
3/31 HR 517 Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act Bill Passed - House (388 - 0)
3/25 PN 12-3 Nomination of James Bishop to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
3/14 HR 1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 46)
3/11 HR 1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
2/25 H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
2/25 H Con Res 14 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - House (217 - 215)
2/21 S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
2/18 S Con Res 7 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
2/06 PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
2/05 PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
2/03 PN 11-22 Nomination of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 46)
1/15 HR 33 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for the taxation of certain residents of Taiwan with income from sources within the United States Bill Passed - House (423 - 1)
1/14 HR 153 Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
1/13 HR 152 Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act Bill Passed - House (405 - 5)

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