To amend H. J. RES. 266 by limiting the unified estate and gift credit to estates and donors with interests in small farms and businesses. (motion failed) see n

On Jul 23, 1981, the Senate voted 9–87 (HJRES 266). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 1–50, Democrats 8–36, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 9 members voted against their own party.

During the 97th Congress (1981–1982), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 9
No: 87
Did not vote: 5
Date: Jul 23, 1981

By party

Republicans1 yes · 50 no · 3 didn’t vote
Democrats8 yes · 36 no · 2 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Christopher John Dodd D-CT voted yes
Edward Moore (Ted) Kennedy D-MA voted yes
Charles McCurdy Mathias Jr. R-MD voted yes
Paul Spyros Sarbanes D-MD voted yes
Carl Levin D-MI voted yes
Thomas Francis Eagleton D-MO voted yes
J. James Exon D-NE voted yes
Harrison Arlington Williams Jr. D-NJ voted yes
Howard Morton Metzenbaum D-OH voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

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Capitol Receipts, “To amend H. J. RES. 266 by limiting the…: Senate Vote, Jul 23, 1981,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/97-S-217/to-amend-h-j-res-266-by-limiting-the (accessed 2026-10-17).