To pass H.R. 8309.

On May 4, 1978, the Senate voted 80–13. Result: passed. By party: Democrats 52–5, Republicans 29–8, 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: 80
No: 13
Did not vote: 9
Date: May 4, 1978

By party

Democrats52 yes · 5 no · 8 didn’t vote
Republicans29 yes · 8 no · 1 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Lowell Palmer Weicker Jr. R-CT voted no
Joseph Robinette (Joe) Biden Jr. D-DE voted no
William Victor Roth Jr. R-DE voted no
Edward William Brooke III R-MA voted no
Jesse Helms R-NC voted no
Thomas James Mcintyre D-NH voted no
Harrison Hagan Schmitt R-NM voted no
Pete Vichi Domenici R-NM voted no
Claiborne de Borda Pell D-RI voted no
John Hubbard Chafee R-RI voted no
Orrin Grant Hatch R-UT voted no
Patrick Joseph Leahy D-VT voted no
William Proxmire D-WI 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 pass H.R. 8309.: Senate Vote, May 4, 1978,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/95-S-789/to-pass-h-r-8309 (accessed 2026-10-15).