To proceed to the consideration of S. 8148, a bill punishing espionage and acts of interference with the foreign relations, the neutrality and the foreign comme

On Feb 12, 1917, the Senate voted 36–24 (S 8148). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 19–17, Republicans 19–7. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 24 members voted against their own party.

During the 64th Congress (1915–1916), Woodrow Wilson was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 36
No: 24
Did not vote: 38
Date: Feb 12, 1917

By party

Democrats19 yes · 17 no · 22 didn’t vote
Republicans19 yes · 7 no · 16 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted no
John Franklin Shafroth D-CO voted no
Duncan Upshaw Fletcher D-FL voted no
Albert Baird Cummins R-IA voted no
William Squire Kenyon R-IA voted no
John Worth Kern D-IN voted no
John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham D-KY voted no
Ollie Murray James D-KY voted no
Robert Foligny Broussard D-LA voted no
Bert Manfred Fernald R-ME voted no
Charles Fletcher Johnson D-ME voted no
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted no
John Sharp Williams D-MS voted no
Asle Jorgenson Gronna R-ND voted no
Gilbert Monell Hitchcock D-NE voted no
Henry French Hollis D-NH voted no
Albert Bacon Fall R-NM voted no
Harry Lane D-OR voted no
Benjamin Ryan Tillman D-SC voted no
Edwin Stockton Johnson D-SD voted no
John Knight Shields D-TN voted no
Morris Sheppard D-TX voted no
Miles Poindexter R-WA voted no
Robert Marion La Follette R-WI 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 proceed to the consideration of S. 8148…: Senate Vote, Feb 12, 1917,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/64-S-331/to-proceed-to-the-consideration-of-s-8148-a (accessed 2026-10-17).