To eliminate the 50% subsidy to politicians to be provided by the broadcast industry.

On May 23, 1991, the Senate voted 54–44 on “On the Motion to Table” (S 3). Result: Motion to Table Agreed to. By party: Democrats 49–7, Republicans 5–37. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 12 members voted against their own party.

During the 102nd Congress (1991–1992), George H. W. Bush was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Motion to Table Agreed to
Yes: 54
No: 44
Did not vote: 4
Date: May 23, 1991

By party

Republicans5 yes · 37 no · 2 didn’t vote
Democrats49 yes · 7 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Victor Roth Jr. R-DE voted yes
William Sebastian Cohen R-ME voted yes
Carl Levin D-MI voted no
David Ferdinand Durenberger R-MN voted yes
Chester Trent Lott R-MS voted yes
Kent Conrad D-ND voted no
J. James Exon D-NE voted no
J. Robert Kerrey D-NE voted no
Warren Bruce Rudman R-NH voted yes
Harry Reid D-NV voted no
Richard H Bryan D-NV voted no
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC 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, “To eliminate the 50% subsidy to politicians…: Senate Vote, May 23…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/102-S-78/to-eliminate-the-50-subsidy-to-politicians-to-be (accessed 2026-10-17).