To agree to the amendment to H.R. 18542, which amendement eliminates the appropriation of $72,120 to investigate and report on matters pertaining to the welfare

On Jan 22, 1917, the Senate voted 17–31 (HR 18542). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 4–22, Democrats 13–12. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 16 members voted against their own party.

During the 64th Congress (1915–1916), Woodrow Wilson was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 17
No: 31
Did not vote: 49
Date: Jan 22, 1917

By party

Democrats13 yes · 12 no · 33 didn’t vote
Republicans4 yes · 22 no · 16 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Henry Fountain Ashurst D-AZ voted no
James Duval Phelan D-CA voted no
John Downey Works R-CA voted yes
William Howard Thompson D-KS voted no
Ollie Murray James D-KY voted no
James Kimble Vardaman D-MS voted no
Henry Lee Myers D-MT voted no
Henry French Hollis D-NH voted no
Jacob Harold Gallinger R-NH voted yes
James Edgar Martine D-NJ voted no
Atlee Pomerene D-OH voted no
Harry Lane D-OR voted no
Morris Sheppard D-TX voted no
Reed Smoot R-UT voted yes
Paul Oscar Husting D-WI voted no
Francis Emroy Warren R-WY voted yes

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 agree to the amendment to H.R. 18542…: Senate Vote, Jan 22, 1917,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/64-S-308/to-agree-to-the-amendment-to-h-r-18542 (accessed 2026-10-17).