Civil rights proposals. Johnson motion to direct the sergeant at arms to request attendance of absent senators.

On Mar 8, 1960, the Senate voted 53–3. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 49–15, Republicans 23–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 16 members voted against their own party.

During the 86th Congress (1959–1960), Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 53
No: 3
Did not vote: 3
Date: Mar 8, 1960

By party

Democrats49 yes · 15 no · 2 didn’t vote
Republicans23 yes · 1 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

James William Fulbright D-AR voted no
John Little Mcclellan D-AR voted no
George Armistead Smathers D-FL voted no
Spessard Lindsey Holland D-FL voted no
Richard Brevard Russell Jr. D-GA voted no
Allen Joseph Ellender D-LA voted no
Russell Billiu Long D-LA voted no
James Oliver Eastland D-MS voted no
John Cornelius Stennis D-MS voted no
Benjamin Everett Jordan D-NC voted no
Samuel James Ervin Jr. D-NC voted no
James Strom Thurmond D-SC voted no
Olin DeWitt Talmadge Johnston D-SC voted no
Francis Higbee Case R-SD voted no
Absalom Willis Robertson D-VA voted no
Harry Flood Byrd D-VA voted no

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, “Civil rights proposals. Johnson motion to…: Senate Vote, Mar 8, 1960,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/86-S-247/civil-rights-proposals-johnson-motion-to-direct-the-sergeant (accessed 2026-10-17).