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. 14, 2021 National S 1605 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 13)
Dec. 14, 2021 National S J Res 33 Joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
Dec. 8, 2021 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Dec. 2, 2021 National HR 6119 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
Oct. 20, 2021 National S 2747 Freedom to Vote Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
Oct. 7, 2021 National S 1301 Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
Sept. 30, 2021 National HR 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 35)
Sept. 27, 2021 National HR 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
Aug. 11, 2021 National S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
Aug. 10, 2021 National HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
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 24, 2021 National S 1251 Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8)
June 22, 2021 National PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
June 8, 2021 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
June 8, 2021 National S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
May 28, 2021 National HR 3233 National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 35)
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 19, 2021 National S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
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)
May 11, 2021 National S J Res 15 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency relating to "National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
April 28, 2021 National S J Res 14 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 "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 42)
April 22, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
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 79-11 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 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 22, 2021 National PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
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 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
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 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 6, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 6, 2021 National S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
March 5, 2021 National S Amdt 972 Increases the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
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. 5, 2021 National S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/14 S 1605 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 13)
12/14 S J Res 33 Joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
12/08 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
12/02 HR 6119 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
10/20 S 2747 Freedom to Vote Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51)
10/07 S 1301 Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
9/30 HR 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 35)
9/27 HR 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
8/11 S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
8/10 HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
6/24 S 1251 Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8)
6/22 PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
6/08 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
6/08 S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
5/28 HR 3233 National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 35)
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)
5/19 S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
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)
5/11 S J Res 15 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency relating to "National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
4/28 S J Res 14 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 "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 42)
4/22 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
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 79-11 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)
3/23 PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
3/22 PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
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 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
3/10 PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/06 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/06 S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
3/05 S Amdt 972 Increases the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
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)
2/05 S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
2/02 PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
2/02 PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
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)

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