To consider S.J.RES. 78, relating to an amendment to the constitution, which provides that the President and vice President of the U.S. Shall hold office for a

On Aug 15, 1912, the Senate voted 41–17 (SJR 78). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 20–15, Democrats 21–2. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 17 members voted against their own party.

During the 62nd Congress (1911–1912), William Howard Taft was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 41
No: 17
Did not vote: 51
Date: Aug 15, 1912

By party

Democrats21 yes · 2 no · 30 didn’t vote
Republicans20 yes · 15 no · 21 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Marcus Aurelius Smith D-AZ voted no
George Payne Mclean R-CT voted no
William Edgar Borah R-ID voted no
Shelby Moore Cullom R-IL voted no
Joseph Little Bristow R-KS voted no
Henry Cabot Lodge R-MA voted no
Charles Elroy Townsend R-MI voted no
William Alden Smith R-MI voted no
Moses Edwin Clapp R-MN voted no
Jacob Harold Gallinger R-NH voted no
Thomas Benton Catron R-NM voted no
Elihu Root R-NY voted no
Henry Frederick Lippitt R-RI voted no
Ellison DuRant Smith D-SC voted no
Coe Isaac Crawford R-SD voted no
Newell Sanders R-TN voted no
Miles Poindexter R-WA 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 consider S.J.RES. 78, relating to an…: Senate Vote, Aug 15, 1912,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/62-S-272/to-consider-s-j-res-78-relating-to-an (accessed 2026-10-17).