To go into executive session, made during debate on H.R. 701.

On Jan 24, 1861, the Senate voted 34–10. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 17–6, Republicans 17–4. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 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: 34
No: 10
Did not vote: 26
Date: Jan 24, 1861

By party

Democrats17 yes · 6 no · 18 didn’t vote
Republicans17 yes · 4 no · 6 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Milton Slocum Latham D-CA voted no
William McKendree Gwin D-CA voted no
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted no
Henry Wilson R-MA voted no
Thomas Lanier Clingman D-NC voted no
William Henry Seward R-NY voted no
Benjamin Franklin Wade R-OH voted no
Edward Dickinson Baker R-OR voted no
Joseph Lane D-OR voted no
Louis Trezevant Wigfall D-TX voted no

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, “To go into executive session, made during…: Senate Vote, Jan 24, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-428/to-go-into-executive-session-made-during-debate-on (accessed 2026-10-15).