Campaign Finance Reform Act

On Jul 25, 1996, the House voted 209–212 on “On Motion to Recommit with Instructions” (HR 3820). Result: Failed. By party: Republicans 19–211, Democrats 189–1, Independents 1–0. It was a party-line vote: most Democrats and most Republicans voted on opposite sides. 20 members voted against their own party.

During the 104th Congress (1995–1996), Bill Clinton was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Failed
Yes: 209
No: 212
Did not vote: 24
Date: Jul 25, 1996

By party

Republicans19 yes · 211 no · 6 didn’t vote
Democrats189 yes · 1 no · 18 didn’t vote
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Frank D. Riggs R-CA voted yes
Christopher H. Shays R-CT voted yes
Michael Newbold Castle R-DE voted yes
James Albert Smith Leach R-IA voted yes
Peter I. Blute R-MA voted yes
Peter Gerard Torkildsen R-MA voted yes
Constance A. Morella R-MD voted yes
Frederick Stephen Upton R-MI voted yes
Charles Foster Bass R-NH voted yes
Richard Zimmer R-NJ voted yes
John Eric Ensign R-NV voted yes
Michael Patrick Forbes R-NY voted yes
Benjamin Arthur Gilman R-NY voted yes
Sherwood Louis Boehlert R-NY voted yes
John Michael Mchugh R-NY voted yes
James T. Walsh R-NY voted yes
John Francis (Jack) Quinn R-NY voted yes
Mark Sanford R-SC voted yes
Owen Bradford Pickett D-VA voted no
Scott L. Klug R-WI voted yes

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “Campaign Finance Reform Act: House Vote, Jul 25, 1996,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/104-H-1230/campaign-finance-reform-act (accessed 2026-10-16).