To amend title 28 of the United States Code to provide special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases.

On May 24, 1990, the Senate voted 52–46 on “On the Motion to Reconsider” (S 1970). Result: Motion to Reconsider Agreed to. By party: Democrats 11–43, Republicans 41–3. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 14 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: Motion to Reconsider Agreed to
Yes: 52
No: 46
Did not vote: 3
Date: May 24, 1990

By party

Republicans41 yes · 3 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats11 yes · 43 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted yes
Richard C. Shelby D-AL voted yes
Samuel Augustus Nunn D-GA voted yes
Alan John Dixon D-IL voted yes
John Bennett Johnston Jr. D-LA voted yes
John Berlinger Breaux D-LA voted yes
J. James Exon D-NE voted yes
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted yes
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted no
Robert William Packwood R-OR voted no
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted yes
James Merrill Jeffords R-VT voted no
John Davison (Jay) Rockefeller IV D-WV voted yes
Robert Carlyle Byrd D-WV 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 amend title 28 of the United States Code…: Senate Vote, May 24…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/101-S-418/to-amend-title-28-of-the-united-states-code (accessed 2026-10-17).