Voting Records: Amendments, Parties, And Polarization

The voting patterns of Republicans and Democrats on key constitutional amendments have varied over time, with some amendments receiving bipartisan support while others have been more divisive. In the aftermath of the Civil War, Republicans and Democrats took opposing stances on amendments aimed at protecting the rights of newly freed slaves. Amendments such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and ensured voting rights for African Americans, respectively, were supported by the majority of Republicans but faced strong opposition from Democrats. In more recent times, issues like abortion and voting rights have become points of contention, with Virginia Democrats passing constitutional amendments that were quickly criticized by Republicans. The dynamic between the two parties has evolved, and their voting behaviors on key constitutional amendments reflect historical contexts and shifting political landscapes.

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Republicans and Democrats voting on the 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed on February 1, 1865, abolished slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude across the country and in all US jurisdictions. The amendment was first passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864, by a vote of 38-6, with two Democrats and 36 Republicans voting in favour. However, the House of Representatives initially failed to pass the amendment in June 1864, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.

The 1864 presidential election brought Abraham Lincoln back to power, along with a Republican majority in both houses, which increased the likelihood of the amendment's passage. Lincoln, who had endorsed the amendment, preferred bipartisan support for the bill, but many Democrats resisted, and some abstained. The 13th Amendment was eventually passed by the House on January 31, 1865, with a vote of 119-56, just above the two-thirds majority. The amendment was supported by every Republican, Independent Republican, and Unconditional Unionist, as well as 14 Democrats.

The passage of the 13th Amendment was a significant moment in American history, formally abolishing slavery and marking a crucial step towards freedom and equality for millions of enslaved people. The amendment's adoption was the result of a prolonged political battle, with Republicans largely supporting it and Democrats largely opposing it, reflecting the ideological divide between the two parties during the Civil War era.

Republicans and Democrats voting on the 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed by the House on May 29, 1866, and then by the Senate on June 8, 1866, by a vote of 33–11 (with five not voting). The amendment was initially blocked in the Senate by a coalition of Radical Republicans, who considered it a "compromise with wrong", and Democrats opposed to black rights.

The 14th Amendment was supported by 94% of Republicans and 0% of Democrats. The Republicans had overwhelming control over Congress at the time, with 136 Republicans to 38 Democrats in the House and 62 Republicans to 12 Democrats in the Senate.

The amendment was proposed to safeguard "equal protection of life, liberty, and property" of all citizens, including former slaves, and to protect civil rights. It was one of three amendments passed in the aftermath of the Civil War, along with the 13th and 15th Amendments, which respectively abolished slavery and prohibited the denial of the right to vote on the basis of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

Republicans and Democrats voting on the 15th Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government and each state from denying or abridging a citizen's right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." It was ratified on February 3, 1870, as the third and final Reconstruction Amendment.

In the years following the American Civil War and during the Reconstruction Era, Congress debated the rights of millions of black freedmen. Amendments had been passed to abolish slavery, grant citizenship, and provide equal protection under the laws. The election of Ulysses S. Grant as president in 1868 convinced many Republicans that protecting the franchise of black male voters was crucial for the party's future.

The 15th Amendment was passed by the Senate with 39 Republicans voting in favour and 8 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting against it. 13 Republicans and 1 Democrat did not vote. In the House of Representatives, 144 Republicans voted to approve the amendment, with zero Democrats in favour and 39 Democrats voting against it.

The amendment faced significant opposition from Democrats, particularly in the Southern United States. Despite the amendment, by the late 1870s, discriminatory practices were used to prevent Black citizens from voting, including poll taxes and literacy tests, as well as violent intimidation by Democrats through the Ku Klux Klan.

The passage of the 15th Amendment was a pivotal moment in American history, enshrining the right to vote regardless of race, colour, or previous servitude. However, it faced challenges in implementation and was often undermined by discriminatory practices and laws.

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Democrats passing constitutional amendments on abortion and voting rights

In Virginia, the Democratic-led Senate passed constitutional amendments on abortion and voting rights, which were criticised by Republicans. The Senate passed the resolutions in two party-line votes. The abortion amendment does not distinguish between adults and children, and Republicans criticised it for not requiring parental consent for minors. However, Democratic Sen. Barbara Favola argued that not all families are supportive and some may pose a threat to their children.

The voting rights amendment, proposed by Democratic Sen. Mamie Locke, revises the process Virginia currently uses to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies. Republicans opposed this amendment, arguing that those convicted of violent felonies should be denied voting rights unless restored by the governor.

The Democratic-led Virginia House of Delegates had passed similar legislation on abortion and voting rights earlier in the month.

On the topic of abortion, Democratic politicians have firmly supported abortion rights, while Republican lawmakers have opposed them. Since 1989, abortion-rights groups have donated $32 million to Democrats and $3 million to Republican candidates who support keeping abortion legal. In 1983, 19 Republicans and 31 Democrats voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have overturned Roe v. Wade.

However, the Republican stance on abortion has evolved over time. In 1973, Republican and Democratic voters were equally likely to say abortion should be legal, and it was possible to find Republican officials who supported abortion rights. For example, Republican first lady Betty Ford described the Roe v. Wade decision as "a great, great decision".

Republicans and Democrats voting on Obamacare

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, was passed on March 21, 2010, and signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law required most individuals to obtain health insurance and required most employers to offer it. It also provided tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies for individuals to purchase insurance in the individual market and provided for an expansion of Medicaid. Insurers were prohibited from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Since its enactment, there have been numerous attempts by Republicans to repeal, defund, delay, or otherwise amend the ACA. In 2011, after Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives, one of the first votes held was on a bill to repeal the ACA. Between 2010 and 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to alter, defund, delay, or repeal portions of the ACA in some way 56 times. In 2013, there was a partial shutdown of government operations that lasted over two weeks due to a disagreement between the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-led House over the inclusion of ACA language in the FY2014 temporary spending bill.

On January 6, 2016, the House voted to repeal parts of the ACA and to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, but this was vetoed by President Obama. On January 12, 2017, the Senate voted to pass a budget resolution that allowed for the repeal of the ACA through the budget reconciliation process. On July 25, 2017, the Senate voted to proceed with debate on the American Health Care Act, with Republicans largely in favor and Democrats against. The "skinny" repeal amendment, also known as the Health Care Freedom Act, was introduced on July 27, 2017, and was defeated 49-51, with three Republican senators (John McCain, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski) joining the Democrats in voting against it.

Overall, the ACA and Obamacare have been a source of significant political division between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans generally seeking to repeal or amend the law and Democrats defending it.

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