Providing that none of the funds appropriated to the Bureau of the Census shall be used to count aliens in the U.S. in violation of the immigration laws for pur

On Nov 15, 1989, the Senate voted 47–51 on “On the Decision of the Chair” (HR 2939). Result: Decision of Chair Not Sustained. By party: Democrats 39–15, Republicans 8–36. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 23 members voted against their own party.

During the 101st Congress (1989–1990), George H. W. Bush was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Decision of Chair Not Sustained
Yes: 47
No: 51
Did not vote: 3
Date: Nov 15, 1989

By party

Republicans8 yes · 36 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats39 yes · 15 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
Richard C. Shelby D-AL voted no
David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted no
John Sidney Mccain III R-AZ voted yes
Pete Wilson R-CA voted yes
Connie Mack III R-FL voted yes
Samuel Augustus Nunn D-GA voted no
Wyche Fowler Jr. D-GA voted no
Thomas Richard (Tom) Harkin D-IA voted no
Wendell Hampton Ford D-KY voted no
John Berlinger Breaux D-LA voted no
Carl Levin D-MI voted no
Max Sieben Baucus D-MT voted no
(James) Terry Sanford D-NC voted no
J. James Exon D-NE voted no
Warren Bruce Rudman R-NH voted yes
Pete Vichi Domenici R-NM voted yes
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted yes
William Philip (Phil) Gramm R-TX voted yes
Charles Spittal Robb D-VA voted no
Thomas Slade Gorton III (Slade) R-WA voted yes
John Davison (Jay) Rockefeller IV 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, “Providing that none of the funds…: Senate Vote, Nov 15, 1989,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/101-S-301/providing-that-none-of-the-funds-appropriated-to-the (accessed 2026-10-17).