To open the doors and go into legislative business, made during debate on the nomination of john pettit to be U.S. District court judge for the state of kansas.

On Feb 28, 1861, the Senate voted 26–25. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 25–0, Democrats 1–23, Others 0–2. 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: 26
No: 25
Did not vote: 19
Date: Feb 28, 1861

By party

Democrats1 yes · 23 no · 17 didn’t vote
Republicans25 yes · 0 no · 2 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 2 no

Who broke with their party

Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL 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 open the doors and go into legislative…: Senate Vote, Feb 28, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-572/to-open-the-doors-and-go-into-legislative-business (accessed 2026-10-17).