To amend H. R. 6060, by exempting from the illiteracy test political and religious refugees. (p.787-2)

On Dec 31, 1914, the Senate voted 26–38 (HR 6060). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 21–18, Republicans 6–21, Others 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 24 members voted against their own party.

During the 63rd Congress (1913–1914), Woodrow Wilson was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 26
No: 38
Did not vote: 34
Date: Dec 31, 1914

By party

Democrats21 yes · 18 no · 17 didn’t vote
Republicans6 yes · 21 no · 17 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Francis Shelley (Frank) White D-AL voted no
Joseph Taylor Robinson D-AR voted no
Henry Fountain Ashurst D-AZ voted no
Marcus Aurelius Smith D-AZ voted no
George Clement Perkins R-CA voted yes
Duncan Upshaw Fletcher D-FL voted no
Nathan Philemon Bryan D-FL voted no
Hoke Smith D-GA voted no
Thomas William Hardwick D-GA voted no
William Edgar Borah R-ID voted yes
Ollie Murray James D-KY voted no
Charles Fletcher Johnson D-ME voted no
Charles Elroy Townsend R-MI voted yes
Moses Edwin Clapp R-MN voted yes
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted no
John Sharp Williams D-MS voted no
Furnifold McLendel Simmons D-NC voted no
Lee Slater Overman D-NC voted no
George William Norris R-NE voted yes
Thomas Pryor Gore D-OK voted no
Ellison DuRant Smith D-SC voted no
Morris Sheppard D-TX voted no
Claude Augustus Swanson D-VA voted no
Robert Marion La Follette R-WI voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

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Capitol Receipts, “To amend H. R. 6060, by exempting from the…: Senate Vote, Dec 31, 1914,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/63-S-467/to-amend-h-r-6060-by-exempting-from-the (accessed 2026-10-17).