English Language Empowerment Act

On Aug 1, 1996, the House voted 171–257 on “On Motion to Recommit with Instructions” (HR 123). Result: Failed. By party: Republicans 2–229, Democrats 168–28, Independents 1–0. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 30 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: 171
No: 257
Did not vote: 17
Date: Aug 1, 1996

By party

Republicans2 yes · 229 no · 5 didn’t vote
Democrats168 yes · 28 no · 12 didn’t vote
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Tom Bevill D-AL voted no
Robert E. (Bud) Cramer Jr. D-AL voted no
Blanche Lambert Lincoln D-AR voted no
Raymond Hoyt (Ray) Thornton Jr. D-AR voted no
William Oliver Lipinski D-IL voted no
Lee Herbert Hamilton D-IN voted no
Henry Scott (Scotty) Baesler D-KY voted no
Barney Frank D-MA voted no
Constance A. Morella R-MD voted yes
David R. Minge D-MN voted no
Isaac Newton Skelton IV (Ike) D-MO voted no
Patsy Ann (Pat) Danner D-MO voted no
Gillespie V. (Sonny) Montgomery D-MS voted no
Gary Eugene (Gene) Taylor D-MS voted no
Earl Ralph Pomeroy III D-ND voted no
Robert Guy Torricelli D-NJ voted no
Thomas J. Manton D-NY voted no
Michael Robert Mcnulty D-NY voted no
James A. Traficant Jr. D-OH voted no
William K. Brewster D-OK voted no
Jim Bunn R-OR voted yes
Timothy Peter (Tim) Johnson D-SD voted no
Robert Nelson Clement D-TN voted no
Ralph Moody Hall D-TX voted no
Preston M. (Pete) Geren D-TX voted no
Charles Walter Stenholm D-TX voted no
Owen Bradford Pickett D-VA voted no
Norman Sisisky D-VA voted no
Lewis Franklin Payne Jr. D-VA voted no
David Ross Obey D-WI voted no

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, “English Language Empowerment Act: House Vote, Aug 1, 1996,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/104-H-1256/english-language-empowerment-act (accessed 2026-10-16).