To consider the nomination of melissa f. Wells, of new york, to be ambassador to the people's republic of mozambique.

On May 1, 1987, the Senate voted 56–28. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 43–3, Republicans 13–26. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 16 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: 56
No: 28
Did not vote: 16
Date: May 1, 1987

By party

Republicans13 yes · 26 no · 7 didn’t vote
Democrats43 yes · 3 no · 9 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted no
Lowell Palmer Weicker Jr. R-CT voted yes
Richard Green Lugar R-IN voted yes
William Sebastian Cohen R-ME voted yes
David Ferdinand Durenberger R-MN voted yes
Christopher Samuel (Kit) Bond R-MO voted yes
Pete Vichi Domenici R-NM voted yes
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted yes
Robert William Packwood R-OR voted yes
Arlen Specter R-PA voted yes
Henry John Heinz III R-PA voted yes
John Hubbard Chafee R-RI voted yes
Robert Theodore Stafford R-VT voted yes
Daniel Jackson Evans R-WA voted yes

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 consider the nomination of melissa f…: Senate Vote, May 1, 1987,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/100-S-86/to-consider-the-nomination-of-melissa-f-wells-of (accessed 2026-10-17).