To prohibit the desecration of the Flag of the United States in a manner that is likely to lead to a breach of the peace.

On Jun 26, 1990, the Senate voted 51–48 on “On the Point of Order” (SJRES 332). Result: Point of Order Sustained. By party: Democrats 10–45, Republicans 41–3. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 13 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: Point of Order Sustained
Yes: 51
No: 48
Did not vote: 2
Date: Jun 26, 1990

By party

Republicans41 yes · 3 no · 1 didn’t vote
Democrats10 yes · 45 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted yes
Richard C. Shelby D-AL voted yes
Daniel Kahikina Akaka D-HI voted yes
Thomas Richard (Tom) Harkin D-IA voted yes
John Bennett Johnston Jr. D-LA voted yes
Quentin Northrup Burdick D-ND voted yes
Jesse Francis (Jeff) Bingaman Jr. D-NM voted yes
Harry Reid D-NV voted yes
Richard H Bryan D-NV voted yes
Howard Morton Metzenbaum D-OH voted yes
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted no
Robert William Packwood R-OR voted no
James Merrill Jeffords R-VT voted no

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Spark Masayuki Matsunaga D-HI
Jesse Helms R-NC

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To prohibit the desecration of the Flag of…: Senate Vote, Jun 26, 1990,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/101-S-437/to-prohibit-the-desecration-of-the-flag-of-the (accessed 2026-10-17).