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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 14, 2026 National S 4784 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 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 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
June 24, 2026 National S J Res 185 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
June 24, 2026 National S J Res 196 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations" Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 52)
June 23, 2026 National H Con Res 86 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
June 22, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (85 - 5)
June 18, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 8)
June 18, 2026 National PN 730-33 Nomination of George Holding, of North Carolina, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vice J. Steven Dowd Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 39)
June 16, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Motion Agreed - Senate (87 - 8)
June 16, 2026 National S J Res 172 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 48)
May 19, 2026 National S J Res 185 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
May 13, 2026 National PN 855-1 Nomination of Kevin Warsh, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years, vice Jerome H. Powell, term expiring Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
May 13, 2026 National S J Res 132 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Examinations for Risks to Active-Duty Servicemembers and Their Covered Dependents" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 52)
May 13, 2026 National S J Res 141 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Deceptive and Unfair Collection of Medical Debt" Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
May 13, 2026 National S J Res 163 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
May 13, 2026 National S J Res 130 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to withdrawal of the rule relating to "Consumer Financial Protection Circular 2024-05: Improper Overdraft Opt-In Practices" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
May 12, 2026 National PN 855-1 Nomination of Kevin Warsh, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years, vice Jerome H. Powell, term expiring Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
April 30, 2026 National S J Res 184 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
April 16, 2026 National H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
April 15, 2026 National S J Res 123 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
April 15, 2026 National S J Res 32 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 (40 - 59)
April 15, 2026 National S J Res 138 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 (36 - 63)
March 25, 2026 National S J Res 107 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 25, 2026 National S J Res 103 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
March 24, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
March 24, 2026 National S J Res 116 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 21, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (41 - 49)
March 18, 2026 National S J Res 118 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 17, 2026 National S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 48)
March 12, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
March 11, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 11)
March 4, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
March 4, 2026 National S J Res 104 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 2, 2026 National HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2026 National PN 730-46 Nomination of Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr. (57 - 33)
Feb. 26, 2026 National PN 730-46 Nomination of Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr. Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 34)
Feb. 25, 2026 National PN 730-19 Nomination of John DeLeeuw, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 2026, vice Alvin Brown (50 - 45)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
Jan. 15, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
Jan. 13, 2026 National S J Res 84 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
Jan. 12, 2026 National HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
Jan. 8, 2026 National S J Res 98 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 Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
Jan. 6, 2026 National PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 5, 2026 National PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/14 S 4784 An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 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 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
6/24 S J Res 185 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
6/24 S J Res 196 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations" Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 52)
6/23 H Con Res 86 Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
6/22 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (85 - 5)
6/18 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 8)
6/18 PN 730-33 Nomination of George Holding, of North Carolina, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vice J. Steven Dowd Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 39)
6/16 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Motion Agreed - Senate (87 - 8)
6/16 S J Res 172 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 48)
5/19 S J Res 185 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Agreed - Senate (50 - 47)
5/13 PN 855-1 Nomination of Kevin Warsh, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years, vice Jerome H. Powell, term expiring Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
5/13 S J Res 132 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Examinations for Risks to Active-Duty Servicemembers and Their Covered Dependents" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 52)
5/13 S J Res 141 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Deceptive and Unfair Collection of Medical Debt" Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
5/13 S J Res 163 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
5/13 S J Res 130 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to withdrawal of the rule relating to "Consumer Financial Protection Circular 2024-05: Improper Overdraft Opt-In Practices" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
5/12 PN 855-1 Nomination of Kevin Warsh, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years, vice Jerome H. Powell, term expiring Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
4/30 S J Res 184 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
4/16 H J Res 140 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
4/15 S J Res 123 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
4/15 S J Res 32 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 (40 - 59)
4/15 S J Res 138 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 (36 - 63)
3/25 S J Res 107 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/25 S J Res 103 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services" Motion Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
3/24 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
3/24 S J Res 116 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/21 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (41 - 49)
3/18 S J Res 118 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/17 S 1383 Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 48)
3/12 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
3/11 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 11)
3/04 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Motion Agreed - Senate (90 - 8)
3/04 S J Res 104 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/02 HR 6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (84 - 6)
2/26 PN 730-46 Nomination of Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr. (57 - 33)
2/26 PN 730-46 Nomination of Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Carlos Alberto Monje, Jr. Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 34)
2/25 PN 730-19 Nomination of John DeLeeuw, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 2026, vice Alvin Brown (50 - 45)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 15)
1/15 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 14)
1/13 S J Res 84 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability" Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
1/12 HR 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 Cloture Invoked - Senate (80 - 13)
1/08 S J Res 98 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 Agreed - Senate (52 - 47)
1/06 PN 499-11 Nomination of Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/05 PN 12-1 Nomination of Keith Bass to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 35)

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