To recommit the nomination of lynn r. Coleman to be general counsel of the department of energy, to the energy and natural resources committee.

On May 9, 1978, the Senate voted 20–75. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 18–42, Republicans 3–33, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 21 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: 20
No: 75
Did not vote: 7
Date: May 9, 1978

By party

Democrats18 yes · 42 no · 5 didn’t vote
Republicans3 yes · 33 no · 2 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Dennis Webster Deconcini D-AZ voted yes
Joseph Robinette (Joe) Biden Jr. D-DE voted yes
Richard Bernard Stone D-FL voted yes
Richard Clarence (Dick) Clark D-IA voted yes
William Dodd Hathaway D-ME voted yes
Donald Wayne Riegle Jr. D-MI voted yes
Muriel Buck Humphrey D-MN voted yes
Wendell Richard Anderson D-MN voted yes
John Melcher D-MT voted yes
Edward Zorinsky D-NE voted yes
John Anthony Durkin D-NH voted yes
Thomas James Mcintyre D-NH voted yes
Harrison Hagan Schmitt R-NM voted yes
Pete Vichi Domenici R-NM voted yes
Howard Morton Metzenbaum D-OH voted yes
Henry John Heinz III R-PA voted yes
Claiborne de Borda Pell D-RI voted yes
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted yes
James George Abourezk D-SD voted yes
Warren Grant Magnuson D-WA voted yes
William Proxmire D-WI voted yes

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 recommit the nomination of lynn r…: Senate Vote, May 9, 1978,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/95-S-793/to-recommit-the-nomination-of-lynn-r-coleman-to (accessed 2026-10-17).