To amend H.R. 12731, by eliminating the provision which exempts persons engaged in occupations necessary to maintain the military forces, from the draft law. (

On Aug 27, 1918, the Senate voted 29–40 (HR 12731). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 24–14, Republicans 6–29. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 20 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: 29
No: 40
Did not vote: 38
Date: Aug 27, 1918

By party

Democrats24 yes · 14 no · 24 didn’t vote
Republicans6 yes · 29 no · 14 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

John Hollis Bankhead D-AL voted no
Hiram Warren Johnson R-CA voted yes
Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted no
Josiah Oliver Wolcott D-DE voted no
Hoke Smith D-GA voted no
William Edgar Borah R-ID voted yes
Charles Curtis R-KS voted yes
Joseph Eugene Ransdell D-LA voted no
Walter Guion D-LA voted no
Bert Manfred Fernald R-ME voted yes
James Alexander Reed D-MO voted no
Gilbert Monell Hitchcock D-NE voted no
Atlee Pomerene D-OH voted no
Thomas Pryor Gore D-OK voted no
Charles Linza Mcnary R-OR voted yes
George Earle Chamberlain D-OR voted no
Ellison DuRant Smith D-SC voted no
Edwin Stockton Johnson D-SD voted no
Thomas Staples Martin D-VA voted no
Howard Sutherland R-WV 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 amend H.R. 12731, by eliminating the…: Senate Vote, Aug 27, 1918,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-304/to-amend-h-r-12731-by-eliminating-the-provision (accessed 2026-10-17).