To amend H.R. 291 (stat-40-l-217, 6/15/17), a bill to punish espionage, by making it a crime to use mails as a means of inciting treason or opposition to laws o

On May 10, 1917, the Senate voted 28–39 (HR 291). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 5–34, Republicans 25–6. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 11 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: 28
No: 39
Did not vote: 41
Date: May 10, 1917

By party

Democrats5 yes · 34 no · 23 didn’t vote
Republicans25 yes · 6 no · 18 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Marcus Aurelius Smith D-AZ voted yes
James Duval Phelan D-CA voted yes
Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted yes
Thomas William Hardwick D-GA voted yes
Knute Nelson R-MN voted no
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted yes
Porter James Mccumber R-ND voted no
James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. R-NY voted no
Warren Gamaliel Harding R-OH voted no
Thomas Sterling R-SD 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 amend H.R. 291 (stat-40-l-217, 6/15/17)…: Senate Vote, May 10, 1917,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-35/to-amend-h-r-291-stat-40-l-217 (accessed 2026-10-17).