To provide for a system of public funding for general elections for the United States Senate.

On May 22, 1991, the Senate voted 39–58 on “On the Amendment” (S 3). Result: Amendment Rejected. By party: Democrats 39–16, Republicans 0–42. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 16 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 Rejected
Yes: 39
No: 58
Did not vote: 5
Date: May 22, 1991

By party

Republicans0 yes · 42 no · 2 didn’t vote
Democrats39 yes · 16 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
Richard C. Shelby D-AL voted no
Daniel Robert (Bob) Graham D-FL voted no
Samuel Augustus Nunn D-GA voted no
Alan John Dixon D-IL voted no
Wendell Hampton Ford D-KY voted no
John Bennett Johnston Jr. D-LA voted no
John Berlinger Breaux D-LA voted no
Carl Levin D-MI voted no
J. James Exon D-NE voted no
J. Robert Kerrey D-NE voted no
Richard H Bryan D-NV voted no
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted no
Charles Spittal Robb D-VA voted no
Herbert H. Kohl D-WI voted no
John Davison (Jay) Rockefeller IV 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 provide for a system of public funding…: Senate Vote, May 22, 1991,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/102-S-74/to-provide-for-a-system-of-public-funding-for (accessed 2026-10-17).