To amend S. 1871 by increasing the minimum wage to $2.65 in 1978, $2.90 in 1979, and $3.15 in 1980, and $3.40 in 1981.

On Oct 6, 1977, the Senate voted 76–14 (S 1871). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 53–4, Republicans 24–9, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 13 members voted against their own party.

During the 95th Congress (1977–1978), Jimmy Carter was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 76
No: 14
Did not vote: 13
Date: Oct 6, 1977

By party

Democrats53 yes · 4 no · 8 didn’t vote
Republicans24 yes · 9 no · 5 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa R-CA voted no
Herman Eugene Talmadge D-GA voted no
James Albertus Mcclure R-ID voted no
Robert Burren Morgan D-NC voted no
Milton Ruben Young R-ND voted no
Carl Thomas Curtis R-NE voted no
Edward Zorinsky D-NE voted no
Paul Dominique Laxalt R-NV voted no
Dewey Follett Bartlett R-OK voted no
Henry Louis Bellmon R-OK voted no
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted no
Edwin Jacob (Jake) Garn R-UT voted no
Clifford Peter Hansen R-WY 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, “To amend S. 1871 by increasing the minimum…: Senate Vote, Oct 6, 1977,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/95-S-537/to-amend-s-1871-by-increasing-the-minimum-wage (accessed 2026-10-16).