To pass HR 3471, 1988 department of veterans' affairs act, a bill to reorganize the veterans' administration as a cabinet-level department of veterans' affairs.

On Jul 12, 1988, the Senate voted 84–11 (HR 3471). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 52–1, Republicans 33–10. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 11 members voted against their own party.

During the 100th Congress (1987–1988), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 84
No: 11
Did not vote: 5
Date: Jul 12, 1988

By party

Republicans33 yes · 10 no · 3 didn’t vote
Democrats52 yes · 1 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Lester Armstrong R-CO voted no
James Albertus Mcclure R-ID voted no
Steven Douglas Symms R-ID voted no
James Danforth (Dan) Quayle R-IN voted no
Nancy Landon Kassebaum R-KS voted no
Gordon John Humphrey R-NH voted no
Warren Bruce Rudman R-NH voted no
Edwin Jacob (Jake) Garn R-UT voted no
Daniel Jackson Evans R-WA voted no
William Proxmire D-WI voted no
Alan Kooi Simpson R-WY voted no

The bill

H.R. 3471: A bill to establish the Veterans' Administration as an executive department.

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 pass HR 3471, 1988 department of…: Senate Vote, Jul 12, 1988,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/100-S-662/to-pass-hr-3471-1988-department-of-veterans-affairs (accessed 2026-10-17).