To pass S. 419, the bill establishing a federal program to test the commercial, environmental, and social viability of various oil shale technologies.

On Jun 27, 1978, the Senate voted 61–23 (S 419). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 49–4, Republicans 13–19, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 17 members voted against their own party.

During the 95th Congress (1977–1978), Jimmy Carter was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 61
No: 23
Did not vote: 18
Date: Jun 27, 1978

By party

Democrats49 yes · 4 no · 12 didn’t vote
Republicans13 yes · 19 no · 6 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Theodore Fulton (Ted) Stevens R-AK voted yes
Joseph Robinette (Joe) Biden Jr. D-DE voted no
Charles McCurdy Mathias Jr. R-MD voted yes
Robert Paul Griffin R-MI voted yes
John Claggett Danforth R-MO voted yes
Milton Ruben Young R-ND voted yes
Clifford Philip Case R-NJ voted yes
Pete Vichi Domenici R-NM voted yes
Jacob Koppel Javits R-NY voted yes
Henry Louis Bellmon R-OK voted yes
Robert William Packwood R-OR voted yes
John Hubbard Chafee R-RI voted yes
Howard Henry Baker Jr. R-TN voted yes
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. D-TX voted no
Patrick Joseph Leahy D-VT voted no
Robert Theodore Stafford R-VT voted yes
William Proxmire D-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 pass S. 419, the bill establishing a…: Senate Vote, Jun 27, 1978,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/95-S-821/to-pass-s-419-the-bill-establishing-a-federal (accessed 2026-10-17).