08 Oct Close Calls: 3 Roll Calls That Came Down to a Handful of Votes

Close Calls: 3 Roll Calls That Came Down to a Handful of Votes

Compiled from Congress.gov records, 2026-10-08.

The closest votes

These roll calls were decided by a margin of 5 or fewer. In each, a small number of members swinging the other way would have changed the outcome.

1. HConRes89 — 2026-09-24 (senate): 48 Yea, 49 Nay, margin of 1. On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89 → Concurrent Resolution Rejected (49-50)
2. SJRes197 — 2026-09-29 (senate): 47 Yea, 50 Nay, margin of 3. On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 197 → Motion to Proceed Rejected (48-51)
3. SRes852 — 2026-09-29 (senate): 46 Yea, 50 Nay, margin of 4. On the Motion to Discharge S.Res. 852 → Motion to Discharge Rejected (47-51)

Why close votes matter

A 218-217 House passage isn’t the same political signal as a 380-50 passage, even though both result in “passed”. Close votes reveal which legislation has fragile coalitions, which members hold leverage, and where future fights are likely to land.

To see who voted how on any of these, click the bill link above. Methodology.