National Executive Branch 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
Feb. 13, 2024 National H Res 863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (214 - 213)
Feb. 6, 2024 National H Res 863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - House (214 - 216)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 918 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
June 22, 2023 National H Res 529 Relating to the resolution (H. Res. 503) impeaching Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 208)
June 14, 2023 National HR 277 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (221 - 210)
March 9, 2023 National HR 140 Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
March 1, 2023 National HR 347 Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 148)
Feb. 1, 2023 National HR 139 SHOW UP Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (221 - 206)
Dec. 22, 2022 National HR 9640 Presidential Tax Filings and Audit Transparency Act of 2022 Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
Nov. 15, 2022 National S J Res 63 A joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
Sept. 15, 2022 National HR 302 Preventing a Patronage System Act (PPSA Act of 2021) Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
Feb. 14, 2022 National PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
June 22, 2021 National PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
May 25, 2021 National PN 124 Nomation of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the Adminstor of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 24, 2021 National PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
March 18, 2021 National PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 15, 2021 National PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 2, 2021 National PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2021 National PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
Feb. 23, 2021 National PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2021 National PN 78-21 Nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 9, 2021 National N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
Feb. 8, 2021 National PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2021 National PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
Jan. 25, 2021 National PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
Jan. 22, 2021 National PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
Jan. 20, 2021 National PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
Jan. 12, 2021 National H Res 21 Calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President Resolution Passed - House (223 - 205)
Sept. 29, 2020 National H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
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. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Oct. 31, 2019 National H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 25, 2019 National H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
May 16, 2019 National PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
April 11, 2019 National PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
March 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
March 14, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
Feb. 26, 2019 National H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
Feb. 14, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
Feb. 12, 2019 National PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
Jan. 9, 2019 National HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
July 11, 2018 National PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/13 H Res 863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (214 - 213)
2/06 H Res 863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - House (214 - 216)
12/13 H Res 918 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes. Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
6/22 H Res 529 Relating to the resolution (H. Res. 503) impeaching Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Resolution Passed - House (219 - 208)
6/14 HR 277 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (221 - 210)
3/09 HR 140 Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
3/01 HR 347 Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 148)
2/01 HR 139 SHOW UP Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (221 - 206)
12/22 HR 9640 Presidential Tax Filings and Audit Transparency Act of 2022 Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
11/15 S J Res 63 A joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
9/15 HR 302 Preventing a Patronage System Act (PPSA Act of 2021) Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
2/14 PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
6/22 PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
5/25 PN 124 Nomation of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the Adminstor of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/24 PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
3/23 PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
3/23 PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
3/18 PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/15 PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
3/10 PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/02 PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
2/25 PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
2/23 PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
2/23 PN 78-21 Nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 21)
2/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/09 N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
2/08 PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
2/02 PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/02 PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
1/26 PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
1/25 PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
1/22 PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
1/20 PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
1/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Passed - House (232 - 197)
1/12 H Res 21 Calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President Resolution Passed - House (223 - 205)
9/29 H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
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)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
10/31 H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/25 H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
5/16 PN 526 Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice (52 - 45)
4/11 PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
3/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Veto Override Failed - House (248 - 181)
3/14 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41)
2/26 H J Res 46 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
2/14 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice (54 - 45)
2/12 PN 17 Nomination of William Pelham Barr to be Attorney General of the Department of Justice Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
1/09 HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
7/11 PN 1402 Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General (51 - 48)

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