To prohibit negotiations with terrorists responsible for the murder, injury, or kidnapping of an American citizen.

On Jul 20, 1989, the Senate voted 75–23 on “On the Motion to Table” (S 1160). Result: Motion to Table Agreed to. By party: Democrats 48–5, Republicans 27–18. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 23 members voted against their own party.

During the 101st Congress (1989–1990), George H. W. Bush was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Motion to Table Agreed to
Yes: 75
No: 23
Did not vote: 3
Date: Jul 20, 1989

By party

Republicans27 yes · 18 no
Democrats48 yes · 5 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Frank Hughes Murkowski R-AK voted no
Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
Pete Wilson R-CA voted no
Joseph I. Lieberman D-CT voted no
Connie Mack III R-FL voted no
Charles Ernest Grassley R-IA voted no
Thomas Richard (Tom) Harkin D-IA voted no
Steven Douglas Symms R-ID voted no
Daniel Ray Coats R-IN voted no
Chester Trent Lott R-MS voted no
Conrad Burns R-MT voted no
Jesse Helms R-NC voted no
Frank Raleigh Lautenberg D-NJ 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
Henry John Heinz III R-PA voted no
James Strom Thurmond R-SC voted no
Larry Lee Pressler R-SD voted no
William Philip (Phil) Gramm R-TX voted no
Orrin Grant Hatch R-UT voted no
Robert Walter Kasten Jr. R-WI 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 prohibit negotiations with terrorists…: Senate Vote, Jul 20, 1989,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/101-S-131/to-prohibit-negotiations-with-terrorists-responsible-for-the-murder (accessed 2026-10-17).