To amend H.R. 4280, by placing a tax of one cent on all bank checks, drafts or certificates of deposits not drawing interest or sight drafts. (p. 6155-1)

On Aug 20, 1917, the Senate voted 22–38 (HR 4280). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 14–20, Republicans 8–18. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 22 members voted against their own party.

During the 65th Congress (1917–1918), Woodrow Wilson was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 22
No: 38
Did not vote: 51
Date: Aug 20, 1917

By party

Democrats14 yes · 20 no · 28 didn’t vote
Republicans8 yes · 18 no · 23 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Willard Saulsbury Jr. D-DE voted yes
Duncan Upshaw Fletcher D-FL voted yes
James Hamilton Lewis D-IL voted yes
Henry Cabot Lodge R-MA voted yes
Frederick Hale R-ME voted yes
Frank Billings Kellogg R-MN voted yes
Knute Nelson R-MN voted yes
William Joel Stone D-MO voted yes
John Sharp Williams D-MS voted yes
Furnifold McLendel Simmons D-NC voted yes
Porter James Mccumber R-ND voted yes
Henry French Hollis D-NH voted yes
Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen R-NJ voted yes
Andrieus Aristieus Jones D-NM voted yes
Francis Griffith Newlands D-NV voted yes
Key Pittman D-NV voted yes
LeBaron Bradford Colt R-RI voted yes
Peter Goelet Gerry D-RI voted yes
Claude Augustus Swanson D-VA voted yes
Thomas Staples Martin D-VA voted yes
Carroll Smalley Page R-VT voted yes
John Benjamin Kendrick D-WY 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. 4280, by placing a tax of one…: Senate Vote, Aug 20…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-127/to-amend-h-r-4280-by-placing-a-tax (accessed 2026-10-17).