1972 Amendments

   
 

 

This legislation in 1972 (P.L. 92-603, which began life in the House as H.R. 1) created the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI program was the final legislative disposition of a much more comprehensive welfare reform proposal sponsored by the Nixon administration. In effect, SSI federalized the various existing state welfare programs that were typically known as the "adult categories" of aid, that is, aid to the needy eldery, blind and disabled. There was very little opposition to the bill once it was presented to the two chambers in the form of a Conference Report, which is the vote recorded here. There was only one "NO" vote in either house on the Conference Report, although the large number of members not voting may have been an indication of some implicit opposition to the bill.

Congressional Vote Totals by Party
HOUSE
(10/17/1972)
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Liberal
Democrat
Farm Labor
Republican Conservative
Yes
169
132
2
1
1
No
1
0
0
0
0
Not Voting
79
43
0
0
0
Present
0
3
0
0
0
SENATE
(10/17/1972)
Democrat
Republican
Conservative
Liberal
 
Yes
36
23
1
1
No
0
0
0
0
Not Voting
18
21
0
0

House tally 1972
Senate tally 1972