S. 3855. Housing act amendments. Amendment to provide 35,000 units of public housing per year for each of the next two years, instead of 135,000 a year for t

On May 24, 1956, the Senate voted 38–41 (S 3855). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 8–38, Republicans 33–9, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 17 members voted against their own party.

During the 84th Congress (1955–1956), Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 38
No: 41
Did not vote: 4
Date: May 24, 1956

By party

Democrats8 yes · 38 no · 4 didn’t vote
Republicans33 yes · 9 no
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

John Little Mcclellan D-AR voted yes
Prescott Sheldon Bush R-CT voted no
William Arthur Purtell R-CT voted no
George Armistead Smathers D-FL voted yes
Spessard Lindsey Holland D-FL voted yes
Richard Brevard Russell Jr. D-GA voted yes
Walter Franklin George D-GA voted yes
Frederick George Payne R-ME voted no
Margaret Chase Smith R-ME voted no
James Oliver Eastland D-MS voted yes
William Langer R-ND voted no
Clifford Philip Case R-NJ voted no
Irving McNeil Ives R-NY voted no
George Harrison Bender R-OH voted no
James Henderson Duff R-PA voted no
Absalom Willis Robertson D-VA voted yes
Harry Flood Byrd D-VA voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Voted present

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “S. 3855. Housing act amendments. Amendment…: Senate Vote, May 24, 1956,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/84-S-159/s-3855-housing-act-amendments-amendment-to-provide-35 (accessed 2026-10-17).