To recommit to the committee on the judiciary the nomination of griffin bell (georgia) for attorney general of the United States.

On Jan 25, 1977, the Senate voted 24–71. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 5–52, Republicans 19–18, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 23 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: 24
No: 71
Did not vote: 9
Date: Jan 25, 1977

By party

Democrats5 yes · 52 no · 8 didn’t vote
Republicans19 yes · 18 no · 1 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Theodore Fulton (Ted) Stevens R-AK voted no
Barry Morris Goldwater R-AZ voted no
William Victor Roth Jr. R-DE voted no
John Chester Culver D-IA voted yes
James Blackwood Pearson R-KS voted no
Donald Wayne Riegle Jr. D-MI voted yes
Robert Paul Griffin R-MI voted no
John Claggett Danforth R-MO voted no
Jesse Helms R-NC voted no
Milton Ruben Young R-ND voted no
Carl Thomas Curtis R-NE voted no
Paul Dominique Laxalt R-NV voted no
Mark Odom Hatfield R-OR voted no
Richard Schultz Schweiker R-PA voted no
James Strom Thurmond R-SC voted no
George Stanley Mcgovern D-SD voted yes
Howard Henry Baker Jr. R-TN voted no
John Goodwin Tower R-TX voted no
Edwin Jacob (Jake) Garn R-UT voted no
William Lloyd Scott R-VA voted no
Robert Theodore Stafford R-VT voted no
Gaylord Anton Nelson D-WI voted yes
William Proxmire D-WI 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 recommit to the committee on the…: Senate Vote, Jan 25, 1977,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/95-S-9/to-recommit-to-the-committee-on-the-judiciary-the (accessed 2026-10-17).