To amend H.R. 291, by prohibiting the use of any food product for the manufacture of alcohol, except when permitted by the government for war or medical purpose

On May 12, 1917, the Senate voted 24–46 (HR 291). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 12–29, Republicans 13–17. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 25 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: 24
No: 46
Did not vote: 40
Date: May 12, 1917

By party

Democrats12 yes · 29 no · 21 didn’t vote
Republicans13 yes · 17 no · 19 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Fosgate Kirby D-AR voted yes
Henry Fountain Ashurst D-AZ voted yes
John Franklin Shafroth D-CO voted yes
William Squire Kenyon R-IA voted yes
James Henry Brady R-ID voted yes
Lawrence Yates Sherman R-IL voted yes
Charles Curtis R-KS voted yes
William Howard Thompson D-KS voted yes
John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham D-KY voted yes
Frederick Hale R-ME voted yes
Charles Elroy Townsend R-MI voted yes
James Alexander Reed D-MO voted yes
Henry Lee Myers D-MT voted yes
Asle Jorgenson Gronna R-ND voted yes
George William Norris R-NE voted yes
Jacob Harold Gallinger R-NH voted yes
George Earle Chamberlain D-OR voted yes
Kenneth Douglas Mckellar D-TN voted yes
Morris Sheppard D-TX voted yes
Carroll Smalley Page R-VT voted yes
Miles Poindexter R-WA voted yes
Wesley Livsey Jones R-WA voted yes
Paul Oscar Husting D-WI voted yes
Robert Marion La Follette R-WI 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.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend H.R. 291, by prohibiting the use of…: Senate Vote, May 12…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/65-S-42/to-amend-h-r-291-by-prohibiting-the-use (accessed 2026-10-17).