To require that candidates for President and Vice President receiving public benefits participate in public debates or forums.

On May 17, 1991, the Senate voted 44–43 on “On the Amendment” (S 3). Result: Amendment Agreed to. By party: Democrats 42–9, Republicans 2–34. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 11 members voted against their own party.

During the 102nd Congress (1991–1992), George H. W. Bush was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Amendment Agreed to
Yes: 44
No: 43
Did not vote: 15
Date: May 17, 1991

By party

Republicans2 yes · 34 no · 8 didn’t vote
Democrats42 yes · 9 no · 7 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
Dennis Webster Deconcini D-AZ voted no
Alan Cranston D-CA voted no
George Hanks (Hank) Brown R-CO voted yes
Alan John Dixon D-IL voted no
Nancy Landon Kassebaum R-KS voted yes
Edward Moore (Ted) Kennedy D-MA voted no
Howard Morton Metzenbaum D-OH voted no
John Herschel Glenn Jr. D-OH voted no
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Robert Carlyle Byrd 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 require that candidates for President and…: Senate Vote, May 17…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/102-S-64/to-require-that-candidates-for-president-and-vice-president (accessed 2026-10-17).