Thomas Edison Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act

On Sep 9, 1998, the House voted 397–1 on “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended” (HR 678). Result: Passed. By party: Republicans 215–1, Democrats 181–0, Independents 1–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 1 member voted against their own party.

During the 105th Congress (1997–1998), Bill Clinton was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Passed
Yes: 397
No: 1
Did not vote: 46
Date: Sep 9, 1998

By party

Republicans215 yes · 1 no · 15 didn’t vote
Democrats181 yes · 0 no · 31 didn’t vote
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Ronald Ernest Paul R-TX voted no

The bill

H.R. 678: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the birth of Thomas Alva Edison, to redesign the half dollar circulating coin for 1997 to commemorate Thomas Edison, and for other purposes.

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Ronald Ernest Paul R-TX

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “Thomas Edison Sesquicentennial Commemorative…: House Vote, Sep 9, 1998,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/105-H-1037/thomas-edison-sesquicentennial-commemorative-coin-act (accessed 2026-10-17).