On consenting to the nomination of joseph holt to be U.S. Secretary of war.

On Jan 18, 1861, the Senate voted 38–13. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 26–0, Democrats 10–13, Others 2–0. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 10 members 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: 38
No: 13
Did not vote: 19
Date: Jan 18, 1861

By party

Democrats10 yes · 13 no · 18 didn’t vote
Republicans26 yes · 0 no · 1 didn’t vote
Others2 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Milton Slocum Latham D-CA voted yes
Willard Saulsbury Sr. D-DE voted yes
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted yes
Lazarus Whitehead Powell D-KY voted yes
James Alfred Pearce D-MD voted yes
Henry Mower Rice D-MN voted yes
George Ellis Pugh D-OH voted yes
William Bigler D-PA voted yes
Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson D-TN voted yes
Andrew Johnson D-TN voted yes

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, “On consenting to the nomination of joseph…: Senate Vote, Jan 18, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-410/on-consenting-to-the-nomination-of-joseph-holt-to (accessed 2026-10-17).