To amend H. R. 261, by withdrawing the President's authority to appoint a solicitor to state department, salary $3000, and have such power of appointment vested

On May 17, 1866, the Senate voted 18–14 (HR 261). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 13–12, Democrats 5–2. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 14 members voted against their own party.

During the 39th Congress (1865–1866), Andrew Johnson was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 18
No: 14
Did not vote: 27
Date: May 17, 1866

By party

Democrats5 yes · 2 no · 4 didn’t vote
Republicans13 yes · 12 no · 19 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

James Dixon R-CT voted no
Lafayette Sabine Foster R-CT voted no
Henry Smith Lane R-IN voted no
Samuel Clarke Pomeroy R-KS voted no
James Guthrie D-KY voted no
Charles Sumner R-MA voted no
William Pitt Fessenden R-ME voted no
Daniel Sheldon Norton R-MN voted no
Aaron Harrison Cragin R-NH voted no
Edwin Denison Morgan R-NY voted no
Ira Harris R-NY voted no
George Henry Williams R-OR voted no
Charles Rollin Buckalew D-PA voted no
Waitman Thomas Willey R-WV 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 amend H. R. 261, by withdrawing the…: Senate Vote, May 17, 1866,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/39-S-127/to-amend-h-r-261-by-withdrawing-the-presidents (accessed 2026-10-17).