To amend S. CON. RES. 19 to eliminate the use of commodity tax straddles. (motion failed) see note(s) 3

On May 12, 1981, the Senate voted 32–62 (SCONRES 19). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 3–48, Democrats 29–13, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 16 members voted against their own party.

During the 97th Congress (1981–1982), Ronald Reagan was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 32
No: 62
Did not vote: 7
Date: May 12, 1981

By party

Republicans3 yes · 48 no · 3 didn’t vote
Democrats29 yes · 13 no · 4 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Howell Thomas Heflin D-AL voted no
David Hampton Pryor D-AR voted no
Alan John Dixon D-IL voted no
Walter Darlington Huddleston D-KY voted no
John Bennett Johnston Jr. D-LA voted no
Russell Billiu Long D-LA voted no
William Sebastian Cohen R-ME voted yes
John Cornelius Stennis D-MS voted no
John Melcher D-MT voted no
Quentin Northrup Burdick D-ND voted no
Edward Zorinsky D-NE voted no
David Lyle Boren D-OK voted no
Arlen Specter R-PA voted yes
Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings D-SC voted no
Larry Lee Pressler R-SD voted yes
James Ralph Sasser D-TN 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 S. CON. RES. 19 to eliminate the…: Senate Vote, May 12, 1981,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/97-S-103/to-amend-s-con-res-19-to-eliminate-the (accessed 2026-10-17).