S. 2875. Civil service retirement act. Amendment to delete provision to give retirees automatic survivor rights on first $2400 of annuities. Rejected.

On May 23, 1956, the Senate voted 16–65 (S 2875). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 1–45, Republicans 16–26, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 17 members voted against their own party.

During the 84th Congress (1955–1956), Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 16
No: 65
Did not vote: 4
Date: May 23, 1956

By party

Democrats1 yes · 45 no · 4 didn’t vote
Republicans16 yes · 26 no
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

William Fife Knowland R-CA voted yes
Eugene Donald Millikin R-CO voted yes
Gordon Llewellyn Allott R-CO voted yes
John James Williams R-DE voted yes
Henry Clarence Dworshak R-ID voted yes
Andrew Frank Schoeppel R-KS voted yes
Leverett Saltonstall R-MA voted yes
Carl Thomas Curtis R-NE voted yes
Henry Styles (Styles) Bridges R-NH voted yes
Howard Alexander Smith R-NJ voted yes
John William Bricker R-OH voted yes
Edward Martin R-PA voted yes
Francis Higbee Case R-SD voted yes
Karl Earl Mundt R-SD voted yes
Arthur Vivian Watkins R-UT voted yes
Harry Flood Byrd D-VA voted yes
Ralph Edward Flanders R-VT voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Voted present

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “S. 2875. Civil service retirement act…: Senate Vote, May 23, 1956,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/84-S-156/s-2875-civil-service-retirement-act-amendment-to-delete (accessed 2026-10-17).