To table the melcher, MT) amendment to S 2638, the national defense authorization act of 1987, which would reduce the authorization by an amount equal to 20 per

On Aug 9, 1986, the Senate voted 89–8 (S 2638). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 52–0, Democrats 37–8. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 8 members voted against their own party.

During the 99th Congress (1985–1986), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 89
No: 8
Did not vote: 4
Date: Aug 9, 1986

By party

Republicans52 yes · 0 no · 2 didn’t vote
Democrats37 yes · 8 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted no
Daniel Ken Inouye D-HI voted no
Thomas Richard (Tom) Harkin D-IA voted no
John Melcher D-MT voted no
Quentin Northrup Burdick D-ND voted no
Howard Morton Metzenbaum D-OH voted no
Claiborne de Borda Pell D-RI voted no
William Proxmire D-WI voted no

The bill

S. 2638: A bill to authorize appropriations for military functions of the Department of Defense and to prescribe military personnel levels for such Department for fiscal year 1987, to revise and improve military compensation programs, to improve defense procurement procedures, to authorize certain construction at military installations for fiscal year 1987, to authorize appropriations for national security

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 the melcher, MT) amendment to S…: Senate Vote, Aug 9, 1986,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/99-S-581/to-table-the-melcher-mt-amendment-to-s-2638 (accessed 2026-10-16).