To table the helms, NC amendment to treaty doc. 100-11, inf treaty, to establish strict guidelines for the strategic arms reduction talks start and provide that

On May 26, 1988, the Senate voted 38–60 (TREATYDOC 100). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 38–14, Republicans 0–46. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 14 members voted against their own party.

During the 100th Congress (1987–1988), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 38
No: 60
Did not vote: 3
Date: May 26, 1988

By party

Republicans0 yes · 46 no
Democrats38 yes · 14 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
Richard C. Shelby D-AL voted no
Dennis Webster Deconcini D-AZ voted no
Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr. D-FL voted no
Samuel Augustus Nunn D-GA voted no
Alan John Dixon D-IL voted no
John Berlinger Breaux D-LA voted no
John Melcher D-MT voted no
Max Sieben Baucus D-MT voted no
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Claiborne de Borda Pell D-RI voted no
Thomas Andrew Daschle D-SD voted no
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. D-TX voted no
Robert Carlyle Byrd D-WV voted no

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To table the helms, NC amendment to treaty…: Senate Vote, May 26, 1988,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/100-S-579/to-table-the-helms-nc-amendment-to-treaty-doc (accessed 2026-10-16).