Personal Responsibility Act of 1995

On Mar 22, 1995, the House voted 188–242 on “On Motion That The Committee Rise” (HR 4). Result: Failed. By party: Republicans 0–229, Democrats 187–13, Independents 1–0. It was a party-line vote: most Democrats and most Republicans voted on opposite sides. 13 members voted against their own party.

During the 104th Congress (1995–1996), Bill Clinton was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Result: Failed
Yes: 188
No: 242
Did not vote: 15
Date: Mar 22, 1995

By party

Republicans0 yes · 229 no · 7 didn’t vote
Democrats187 yes · 13 no · 8 didn’t vote
Independents1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Andrew Jacobs Jr. D-IN voted no
Wilbert Joseph (Billy) Tauzin D-LA voted no
James Allison Hayes D-LA voted no
Kweisi Mfume D-MD voted no
Robert Guy Torricelli D-NJ voted no
Robert Menendez D-NJ voted no
James A. Traficant Jr. D-OH voted no
Peter Anthony Defazio D-OR voted no
Michael F. Doyle D-PA voted no
Barton Jennings Gordon D-TN voted no
Charles Wilson D-TX voted no
Preston M. (Pete) Geren D-TX voted no
Lewis Franklin Payne Jr. D-VA voted no

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “Personal Responsibility Act of 1995: House Vote, Mar 22, 1995,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/104-H-248/personal-responsibility-act-of-1995 (accessed 2026-10-17).