To adopt the conference report on HR 1720, family welfare reform act, a bill to require states to reinforce work child support and need based family support sup

On Sep 29, 1988, the Senate voted 96–1 (HR 1720). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 52–0, Republicans 44–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 1 member 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: 96
No: 1
Did not vote: 4
Date: Sep 29, 1988

By party

Republicans44 yes · 1 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats52 yes · 0 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Jesse Helms R-NC voted no

The bill

H.R. 1720: A bill to replace the existing AFDC program with a new Family Support Program which emphasizes work, child support, and need-based family support supplements, to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to encourage and assist needy children and parents under the new program to obtain the education, training, and employment needed to avoid long-term welfare dependence, and to make other necessary

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Jesse Helms R-NC

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To adopt the conference report on HR 1720…: Senate Vote, Sep 29, 1988,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/100-S-761/to-adopt-the-conference-report-on-hr-1720-family (accessed 2026-10-17).