To table division 2 of the helms amendment to H. J. RES. 353. Division 2 of the helms amendment states that it is the sense of the Congress that the President

On Sep 15, 1983, the Senate voted 69–26. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 38–16, Democrats 31–10. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 26 members voted against their own party.

During the 98th Congress (1983–1984), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 69
No: 26
Did not vote: 6
Date: Sep 15, 1983

By party

Republicans38 yes · 16 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats31 yes · 10 no · 5 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted no
Dennis Webster Deconcini D-AZ voted no
William Lester Armstrong R-CO voted no
Joseph Robinette (Joe) Biden Jr. D-DE voted no
Paula Hawkins R-FL voted no
Mack Francis Mattingly R-GA voted no
James Albertus Mcclure R-ID voted no
Steven Douglas Symms R-ID voted no
Robert Joseph (Bob) Dole R-KS voted no
Walter Darlington Huddleston D-KY voted no
Wendell Hampton Ford D-KY voted no
George John Mitchell D-ME voted no
Carl Levin D-MI voted no
William Thad Cochran R-MS voted no
Jesse Helms R-NC voted no
John Porter East R-NC voted no
Gordon John Humphrey R-NH voted no
William Warren (Bill) Bradley D-NJ voted no
Alfonse Marcello D'Amato R-NY voted no
Donald Lee Nickles R-OK voted no
Arlen Specter R-PA voted no
Edwin Jacob (Jake) Garn R-UT voted no
Orrin Grant Hatch R-UT voted no
Robert Walter Kasten Jr. R-WI voted no
Jennings Randolph D-WV voted no

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 table division 2 of the helms amendment…: Senate Vote, Sep 15, 1983,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/98-S-236/to-table-division-2-of-the-helms-amendment-to (accessed 2026-10-17).