To reconsider the vote on RC 277. (motion failed) see note(s) 15

On Sep 13, 1979, the Senate voted 44–47. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 14–39, Republicans 31–8, Independents 1–0. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 22 members voted against their own party.

During the 96th Congress (1979–1980), Jimmy Carter was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 44
No: 47
Did not vote: 8
Date: Sep 13, 1979

By party

Democrats14 yes · 39 no · 6 didn’t vote
Republicans31 yes · 8 no · 2 didn’t vote
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Maurice Robert (Mike) Gravel D-AK voted yes
Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted yes
David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted yes
Dennis Webster Deconcini D-AZ voted yes
Lowell Palmer Weicker Jr. R-CT voted no
Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr. D-FL voted yes
Herman Eugene Talmadge D-GA voted yes
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga D-HI voted yes
Frank Forrester Church D-ID voted yes
Wendell Hampton Ford D-KY voted yes
John Bennett Johnston Jr. D-LA voted yes
Charles McCurdy Mathias Jr. R-MD voted no
David Ferdinand Durenberger R-MN voted no
Robert Burren Morgan D-NC voted yes
Jacob Koppel Javits R-NY voted no
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted yes
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted no
Robert William Packwood R-OR voted no
John Hubbard Chafee R-RI voted no
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted yes
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. D-TX voted yes
Robert Theodore Stafford R-VT 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 reconsider the vote on RC 277. (motion…: Senate Vote, Sep 13, 1979,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/96-S-278/to-reconsider-the-vote-on-rc-277-motion-failed (accessed 2026-10-17).