To put the main question on the motion to vote for a speaker viva voce. (p. 372-3)

On Jan 17, 1860, the House voted 108–106. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 1–103, Democrats 75–0, Others 32–3. It was a party-line vote: most Democrats and most Republicans voted on opposite sides. 1 member voted against their own party.

During the 36th Congress (1859–1860), James Buchanan was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Yes: 108
No: 106
Did not vote: 30
Date: Jan 17, 1860

By party

Democrats75 yes · 0 no · 12 didn’t vote
Republicans1 yes · 103 no · 14 didn’t vote
Others32 yes · 3 no · 4 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

George Briggs R-NY 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, “To put the main question on the motion to…: House Vote, Jan 17, 1860,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-H-22/to-put-the-main-question-on-the-motion-to (accessed 2026-10-16).