To prohibit the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission from engaging in certain educational activities.

On May 2, 1989, the Senate voted 7–91 on “On the Amendment” (S 431). Result: Amendment Rejected. By party: Democrats 1–53, Republicans 6–38. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 7 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: Amendment Rejected
Yes: 7
No: 91
Did not vote: 3
Date: May 2, 1989

By party

Republicans6 yes · 38 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats1 yes · 53 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Lester Armstrong R-CO voted yes
James Albertus Mcclure R-ID voted yes
Steven Douglas Symms R-ID voted yes
Chester Trent Lott R-MS voted yes
Jesse Helms R-NC voted yes
Robert Carlyle Byrd D-WV voted yes
Malcolm Wallop R-WY 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 prohibit the Martin Luther King, Jr…: Senate Vote, May 2, 1989,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/101-S-55/to-prohibit-the-martin-luther-king-jr-federal-holiday (accessed 2026-10-18).