To table the melcher amendment to S. CON. RES. 27. The melcher amendment reduces budget authority and outlays for international affairs. (motion passed) see n

On May 11, 1983, the Senate voted 76–19. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 48–5, Democrats 28–14. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 19 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: 76
No: 19
Did not vote: 6
Date: May 11, 1983

By party

Republicans48 yes · 5 no · 2 didn’t vote
Democrats28 yes · 14 no · 4 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
Charles Ernest Grassley R-IA voted no
Walter Darlington Huddleston D-KY voted no
Wendell Hampton Ford D-KY voted no
John Melcher D-MT voted no
Max Sieben Baucus D-MT voted no
Jesse Helms R-NC voted no
John Porter East R-NC voted no
Quentin Northrup Burdick D-ND voted no
Edward Zorinsky D-NE voted no
J. James Exon D-NE voted no
Gordon John Humphrey R-NH voted no
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Donald Lee Nickles R-OK voted no
James Ralph Sasser D-TN voted no
Patrick Joseph Leahy D-VT 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.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To table the melcher amendment to S. CON…: Senate Vote, May 11, 1983,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/98-S-84/to-table-the-melcher-amendment-to-s-con-res (accessed 2026-10-15).