To amend S. 2, a bill providing for punishment of espionage, by striking the paragraph setting penalties for disclosing information about the plans or conduct o

On Apr 20, 1917, the Senate voted 34–40 (S 2). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 7–34, Republicans 27–8. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 15 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: 34
No: 40
Did not vote: 35
Date: Apr 20, 1917

By party

Democrats7 yes · 34 no · 21 didn’t vote
Republicans27 yes · 8 no · 14 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Charles Spalding Thomas D-CO voted yes
Thomas William Hardwick D-GA voted yes
James Henry Brady R-ID voted no
Frank Billings Kellogg R-MN voted no
Knute Nelson R-MN voted no
James Alexander Reed D-MO voted yes
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted yes
Porter James Mccumber R-ND voted no
Albert Bacon Fall R-NM voted no
James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. R-NY voted no
Thomas Pryor Gore D-OK voted yes
Thomas Sterling R-SD voted no
John Knight Shields D-TN voted yes
William Henry King D-UT voted yes
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 S. 2, a bill providing for…: Senate Vote, Apr 20, 1917,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-7/to-amend-s-2-a-bill-providing-for-punishment (accessed 2026-10-17).