To amend H.R. 4280, by reducing the rate of income tax from 13.75% to 12% on incomes between $60,000 and $80,000. (p. 6241-2)

On Aug 22, 1917, the Senate voted 31–35 (HR 4280). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 15–21, Republicans 20–14. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 29 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: 31
No: 35
Did not vote: 41
Date: Aug 22, 1917

By party

Democrats15 yes · 21 no · 26 didn’t vote
Republicans20 yes · 14 no · 15 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Oscar Wilder Underwood D-AL voted yes
Hiram Warren Johnson R-CA voted no
Josiah Oliver Wolcott D-DE voted yes
Willard Saulsbury Jr. D-DE voted yes
Hoke Smith D-GA voted yes
William Squire Kenyon R-IA voted no
James Henry Brady R-ID voted no
William Edgar Borah R-ID voted no
James Hamilton Lewis D-IL voted yes
Lawrence Yates Sherman R-IL voted no
Charles Curtis R-KS voted no
Ollie Murray James D-KY voted yes
Joseph Eugene Ransdell D-LA voted yes
John Walter Smith D-MD voted yes
Charles Elroy Townsend R-MI voted no
John Sharp Williams D-MS voted yes
Henry Lee Myers D-MT voted yes
Furnifold McLendel Simmons D-NC voted yes
Asle Jorgenson Gronna R-ND voted no
George William Norris R-NE voted no
Charles Linza Mcnary R-OR voted no
Peter Goelet Gerry D-RI voted yes
Thomas Sterling R-SD voted no
John Knight Shields D-TN voted yes
Claude Augustus Swanson D-VA voted yes
Thomas Staples Martin D-VA voted yes
Miles Poindexter R-WA voted no
Wesley Livsey Jones R-WA voted no
Robert Marion La Follette R-WI 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 amend H.R. 4280, by reducing the rate of…: Senate Vote, Aug 22…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-129/to-amend-h-r-4280-by-reducing-the-rate (accessed 2026-10-17).