To amend postal service bill H.R. 950, in order to eliminate any suggestion that there is insurrection at all in states that have seceded. (p. 1161-3)

On Feb 25, 1861, the Senate voted 9–38 (HR 950). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 0–25, Democrats 9–11, Others 0–2. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 9 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: 9
No: 38
Did not vote: 23
Date: Feb 25, 1861

By party

Democrats9 yes · 11 no · 21 didn’t vote
Republicans0 yes · 25 no · 2 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 2 no

Who broke with their party

Robert Ward Johnson D-AR voted yes
James Stephen Green D-MO voted yes
Thomas Bragg D-NC voted yes
Thomas Lanier Clingman D-NC voted yes
Joseph Lane D-OR voted yes
John Hemphill D-TX voted yes
Louis Trezevant Wigfall D-TX voted yes
James Murray Mason D-VA voted yes
Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter D-VA 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, “To amend postal service bill H.R. 950, in…: Senate Vote, Feb 25, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-538/to-amend-postal-service-bill-h-r-950-in (accessed 2026-10-17).