To recess until 7:30 p.m. During debate on H.R. 338. (p. 1061-2)

On Feb 20, 1861, the Senate voted 10–28. Result: failed. By party: Republicans 1–23, Democrats 9–4, Others 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 5 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: 10
No: 28
Did not vote: 32
Date: Feb 20, 1861

By party

Democrats9 yes · 4 no · 28 didn’t vote
Republicans1 yes · 23 no · 3 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 1 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Robert Ward Johnson D-AR voted no
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted no
Henry Mower Rice D-MN voted no
Edward Dickinson Baker R-OR voted yes
William Bigler D-PA 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 recess until 7:30 p.m. During debate on…: Senate Vote, Feb 20, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-510/to-recess-until-7-30-p-m-during-debate (accessed 2026-10-16).