Confirmation of the nomination of frank murphy, of michigan, to be attorney general of the United States.

On Jan 17, 1939, the Senate voted 78–7. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 67–0, Republicans 15–8, Others 3–0, Independents 1–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 8 members voted against their own party.

During the 76th Congress (1939–1940), Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 78
No: 7
Did not vote: 10
Date: Jan 17, 1939

By party

Democrats67 yes · 0 no · 6 didn’t vote
Republicans15 yes · 8 no · 4 didn’t vote
Others3 yes · 0 no
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Frederick Hale R-ME voted no
Wallace Humphrey White Jr. R-ME voted no
Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg R-MI voted no
Charles William Tobey R-NH voted no
Henry Styles (Styles) Bridges R-NH voted no
Robert Alphonso Taft R-OH voted no
Rufus Cecil Holman R-OR voted no
John Chandler (Chan) Gurney R-SD 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, “Confirmation of the nomination of frank…: Senate Vote, Jan 17, 1939,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/76-S-1/confirmation-of-the-nomination-of-frank-murphy-of-michigan (accessed 2026-10-17).