Updated: December 31, 2009
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Vote Passed (60-39, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this $871 billion health care bill. The House and Senate must now work out the differences between their versions of the bill in conference.
To permit continued financing of Government operations - Vote Passed (60-39, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this legislation to raise the federal debt limit to $12.39 trillion. The bill has been sent to the President.
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (88-10, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate gave final approval to this bill funding the Department of Defense through September 2010. The bill now goes to the President.
Cloture Motion; Reid Amdt. to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Vote Agreed to (60-40) - The Senate agreed to this motion to invoke cloture on an amendment making changes to the $871 billion health care bill. The vote allows debate to proceed and prevents a filibuster.
Motion to Table Nelson Amdt.; Abortion Funding - Vote Agreed to (54-45, 1 Not Voting) - During debate of the health care reform bill, the Senate rejected this amendment that would have prohibited federal funding of abortion coverage.
FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill - Vote Agreed to (57-35, 8 Not Voting) - The Senate gave final approval to this $446.8 billion bill that combines 6 unfinished 2010 fiscal year spending bills. The bills included are Transportation/HUD; Military Construction/Veterans Affairs; Labor/HHS; State/Foreign Operations; Commerce/Justice/Science; and Financial Services. The bill now goes to the President.
Amendment to clarify coverage for preventive services for women - Vote Agreed to (61-39) - The Senate adopted this amendment to the health care reform bill, which aims to guarantee that women of all ages receive an annual women's health exam at no cost. The Senate is still debating this bill.
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (100-0) - The Senate unanimously passed this $133.9 billion bill funding military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Senate and House will now go to conference to work out differences between their versions of the bill.
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill intended to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans and to improve veterans’ health care. It now goes to the House.
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed; Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 - Vote Agreed to (60-39, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate voted to proceed to debate on this bill, which is being used as the vehicle for health care reform legislation. The Senate will begin debate following the Thanksgiving recess.
Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting) -- The Senate passed this bill that would extend unemployment benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5% and tax credits for some homebuyers and businesses. The bill was sent back to the House for final approval.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (71-28, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate completed its work on this $64.9 billion legislation funding the Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related agencies and programs. The House and Senate will now go to conference to work out differences between their versions of the bill.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (79-19, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate passed the conference report of this $42.8 billion bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, sending it to the President.
Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 - Vote Rejected (47-53) - The Senate failed to garner the necessary votes to begin debate on this bill that would repeal the Medicare physician payment formula that results in annual cuts that Congress reverses every year.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - Vote Agreed to (68-29, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate gave final approval to this bill authorizing defense spending, which also contains a provision that extends the definition of federal hate crimes to include crimes in which victims are targeted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (80-17, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate approved this $33.5 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs for FY 2010, sending it to the President.
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (93-7) - The Senate approved this $636.3 billion bill funding the Department of Defense during fiscal year 2010.
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (62-38) - The Senate approved this $4.66 billion bill that funds the legislative branch for Fiscal Year 2010, sending it to the President. The bill also includes a continuing resolution to fund government operations through October 31, as this is the only one of the 12 annual appropriations bills to have been completed before FY 2010 began.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (77-21, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate approved this $32.1 billion bill funding the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related programs for the next fiscal year.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (73-25, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate approved this $122 billion bill funding transportation and housing programs for the next fiscal year.
Travel Promotion Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (79-19, 1 Not Voting) - This Senate bill would promote travel in the United States and includes a provision to create a nonprofit corporation intended to encourage tourism from abroad.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (80-17, 3 Not Voting) - On Tuesday, the Senate passed this $124.3 billion bill funding the USDA, FDA and other related agencies and programs.
Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States - Vote Confirmed (68-31, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program - Vote Passed (60-37, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this $2 billion bill to replenish funding for the “Cash for Clunkers” program, sending it to the President for his signature.
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (85-9, 6 Not Voting) - On Wednesday, the Senate passed this $34.3 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs.
To restore sums to the Highway Trust Fund - Vote Passed (79-17, 4 Not Voting) - The Senate approved this bill providing $7 billion to the Highway Trust Fund, ensuring it will stay solvent through the rest of fiscal year 2009.
Thune Amendment; Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms - Vote Rejected (58-39, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate could not reach the necessary sixty votes to include this gun provision in the National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment would have allowed citizens who have concealed carry permits from their states to carry concealed firearms in another state that grants concealed carry permits.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - Vote Passed (87-7, 6 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill that sets funding levels for the military and authorizes Department of Defense programs, which includes reduced funding for the F-22 fighter jet.
Cloture Motion; Nomination of Robert M. Groves, to be Director of the Census - Vote Agreed to (76-15, 9 Not Voting) - The Senate agreed to this procedural vote allowing a vote on the nomination of Robert Groves to be the Director of the Census, who was later confirmed by a voice vote.
Cloture Motion; To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes - Vote Agreed to (63-28, 9 Not Voting) - The Senate agreed to end debate on this amendment to the Military Construction authorization bill that would include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in the definition of hate crimes. The amendment was later approved by voice vote.
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (67-25, 7 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this $3.1 billion bill to fund the legislative branch, which includes a provision to post Senate expenses online for the public to access.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (84-6, 10 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this $42.9 billion bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2010, which includes a provision requiring at least 700 miles of a border fence with Mexico be completed by 2010.
Nomination of Harold Hongju Koh to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State - Vote Confirmed (62-35, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh as Legal Adviser of the State Department.
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 - Vote Agreed to (91-5, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate gave final passage to this $106 billion bill providing funds for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, sending the bill to the President.
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - Vote Passed (79-17, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill that would give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco, but would not allow the agency to ban cigarettes or other tobacco products.
Cloture Motion; Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - Vote Agreed to (84-11, 4 Not Voting) - With this vote the Senate chose to open debate on a bill that would give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco, but would not allow the agency to ban cigarettes or other tobacco products.
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (90-5, 4 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill that would impose restrictions on credit card issuers, including their ability to raise interest rates and charge late fees.
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 - Vote Passed (86-3, 10 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this $91.3 billion bill providing funds for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill now goes to a conference committee with the House.
Cloture Motion; Nomination of David Hayes to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior - Vote Rejected (57-39, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate failed to get the sixty votes required to bring the nomination of David Hayes to a full vote, making him the first Obama appointee whose nomination has been stopped on the Senate floor. The nomination will likely be brought up again later in the year.
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (91-5, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill intended to prevent foreclosures and improve mortgage credit availability.
Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (92-4, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill intended to combat fraud at financial institutions that receive federal money.
Confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius to be Secretary of Health and Human Services - Vote Confirmed (65-31, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to head HHS.
Confirmation of Christopher R. Hill to be Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq - Vote Confirmed (73-23, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Christopher Hill to be the Ambassador to Iraq.
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2010 - Vote Agreed to (55-43, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed their version of the national budget for fiscal year 2010.
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act - Vote Passed (79-19, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this national service bill which would increase the number of AmeriCorps volunteers from 75,000 to 250,000 and designate September 11 as a national day of service and remembrance.
Confirmation of Ronald Kirk to be U.S. Trade Representative - Vote Confirmed (92-5, 2 Not Voting) - On Wednesday, Ron Kirk was confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative.
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (77-20, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this package of legislation related to public lands, national parks and water development.
Cloture Motion; Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 - Vote Agreed to (62-35, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate reached the necessary sixty votes to end debate on this bill funding government programs. The bill was later approved by voice vote.
Confirmation of Hilda L. Solis, to be Secretary of Labor - Vote Confirmed (80-17, 2 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Hilda Solis to be Secretary of Labor.
District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (61-37, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Agreed to (60-38, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate agreed to the conference report of this stimulus bill, sending it to the President.
Confirmation of Eric H. Holder, Jr. to be Attorney General - Vote Confirmed (75-21, 3 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Eric Holder to be Attorney General.
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (66-32, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate voted to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Confirmation of Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury - Vote Confirmed (60-34, 4 Not Voting) - The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (61-36, 1 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this employee pay discrimination bill.
Confirmation of Hillary Rodham Clinton to be Secretary of State - Vote Confirmed (94-2, 2 Not Voting) - On Wednesday, the Senate voted to confirm Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State.
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (73-21, 4 Not Voting) - The Senate passed this bill, which is a package of over 160 bills related to public lands, national parks, and water development legislation.
Cloture Motion; Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Vote Agreed to (72-23, 3 Not Voting) - On Thursday, the Senate garnered the necessary 60 votes to start debate on this employee pay discrimination bill.
Cloture Motion; Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (66-12, 20 Not Voting) - The Senate reached the necessary sixty votes to move forward on this bill, which is a package of over 160 bills related to public lands, national parks, and water development legislation.