To amend H.R. 3706 to establish a legal public holiday for thomas jefferson, and provide that the total number of federal holidays shall not exceed nine. (motio

On Oct 19, 1983, the Senate voted 10–82 (HR 3706). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 10–42, Democrats 0–42. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 10 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: 10
No: 82
Did not vote: 7
Date: Oct 19, 1983

By party

Republicans10 yes · 42 no · 3 didn’t vote
Democrats0 yes · 42 no · 4 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Jeremiah Andrew Denton Jr. R-AL voted yes
Barry Morris Goldwater R-AZ voted yes
Steven Douglas Symms R-ID voted yes
Jesse Helms R-NC voted yes
John Porter East R-NC voted yes
Gordon John Humphrey R-NH voted yes
James Abdnor R-SD voted yes
Edwin Jacob (Jake) Garn R-UT voted yes
Orrin Grant Hatch R-UT voted yes
Malcolm Wallop R-WY voted yes

The bill

H.R. 3706: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to make the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a legal public holiday.

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 amend H.R. 3706 to establish a legal…: Senate Vote, Oct 19, 1983,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/98-S-289/to-amend-h-r-3706-to-establish-a-legal (accessed 2026-10-17).