To refer to the committee on military affairs and the militia the nomination of joseph holt to be U.S. Secretary of war.

On Jan 17, 1861, the Senate voted 13–34. Result: failed. By party: Republicans 0–25, Democrats 13–8, Others 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 8 members voted against their own party.

During the 36th Congress (1859–1860), James Buchanan was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Yes: 13
No: 34
Did not vote: 23
Date: Jan 17, 1861

By party

Democrats13 yes · 8 no · 20 didn’t vote
Republicans0 yes · 25 no · 2 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 1 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Milton Slocum Latham D-CA voted no
Stephen Arnold Douglas D-IL voted no
Graham Newell Fitch D-IN voted no
Lazarus Whitehead Powell D-KY voted no
George Ellis Pugh D-OH voted no
William Bigler D-PA voted no
Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson D-TN voted no
Andrew Johnson D-TN 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 refer to the committee on military…: Senate Vote, Jan 17, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-404/to-refer-to-the-committee-on-military-affairs-and (accessed 2026-10-17).