S. 144. Bill to give administrator of rural electrification admin. Final authoritt to approve REA loans: amend to make REA an independent agency.

On Apr 8, 1959, the Senate voted 13–74 (S 144). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 4–59, Republicans 9–23. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 13 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: 13
No: 74
Did not vote: 5
Date: Apr 8, 1959

By party

Democrats4 yes · 59 no · 3 didn’t vote
Republicans9 yes · 23 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Barry Morris Goldwater R-AZ voted yes
Herman Eugene Talmadge D-GA voted yes
Richard Brevard Russell Jr. D-GA voted yes
Bourke Blakemore Hickenlooper R-IA voted yes
Homer Earl Capehart R-IN voted yes
Andrew Frank Schoeppel R-KS voted yes
Carl Thomas Curtis R-NE voted yes
Roman Lee Hruska R-NE voted yes
Norris H. Cotton R-NH voted yes
Frank John Lausche D-OH voted yes
James Strom Thurmond D-SC voted yes
Francis Higbee Case R-SD voted yes
Alexander Wiley R-WI 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. 144. Bill to give administrator of rural…: Senate Vote, Apr 8, 1959,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/86-S-31/s-144-bill-to-give-administrator-of-rural-electrification (accessed 2026-10-17).