To consider H.R. 9959 (stat-40-l-603, 6/10/18), a bill increasing the rates of civil war pensions. (p. 7154-2)

On May 28, 1918, the Senate voted 44–16 (HR 9959). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 18–16, Republicans 26–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 16 members voted against their own party.

During the 65th Congress (1917–1918), Woodrow Wilson was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 44
No: 16
Did not vote: 51
Date: May 28, 1918

By party

Democrats18 yes · 16 no · 28 didn’t vote
Republicans26 yes · 0 no · 23 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Oscar Wilder Underwood D-AL voted no
James Duval Phelan D-CA voted no
Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted no
Duncan Upshaw Fletcher D-FL voted no
Park Trammell D-FL voted no
Hoke Smith D-GA voted no
Thomas William Hardwick D-GA voted no
James Alexander Reed D-MO voted no
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted no
Furnifold McLendel Simmons D-NC voted no
Lee Slater Overman D-NC voted no
Ellison DuRant Smith D-SC voted no
Edwin Stockton Johnson D-SD voted no
John Knight Shields D-TN voted no
Claude Augustus Swanson D-VA voted no
Thomas Staples Martin D-VA 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 H.R. 9959 (stat-40-l-603…: Senate Vote, May 28, 1918,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-266/to-consider-h-r-9959-stat-40-l-603 (accessed 2026-10-17).