To amend H.J.RES. 306, by providing that "during any war in which the U.S. Is neutral it shall be unlawful for the armed merchant vessels of a belligerent forei

On Oct 27, 1939, the Senate voted 26–65 (HJR 306). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 11–55, Republicans 13–10, Others 3–0, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 21 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: 26
No: 65
Did not vote: 10
Date: Oct 27, 1939

By party

Democrats11 yes · 55 no · 6 didn’t vote
Republicans13 yes · 10 no · 4 didn’t vote
Others3 yes · 0 no
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Sheridan Downey D-CA voted yes
John Gillis Townsend Jr. R-DE voted no
David Worth Clark D-ID voted yes
John Holmes Overton D-LA voted yes
David Ignatius Walsh D-MA voted yes
Frederick Hale R-ME voted no
Wallace Humphrey White Jr. R-ME voted no
Joel Bennett Clark D-MO voted yes
Burton Kendall Wheeler D-MT voted yes
Robert Rice Reynolds D-NC voted yes
Henry Styles (Styles) Bridges R-NH voted no
William Warren Barbour R-NJ voted no
Dennis Chavez D-NM voted yes
Patrick Anthony (Pat) Mccarran D-NV voted yes
Robert Alphonso Taft R-OH voted no
James John Davis R-PA voted no
John Chandler (Chan) Gurney R-SD voted no
William John Bulow D-SD voted yes
Ernest Willard Gibson R-VT voted no
Warren Robinson Austin R-VT voted no
Rush Dew Holt D-WV voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Voted present

Homer Truett Bone D-WA

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend H.J.RES. 306, by providing that…: Senate Vote, Oct 27, 1939,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/76-S-106/to-amend-h-j-res-306-by-providing-that (accessed 2026-10-17).