From the archives | The Clarence Thomas vote: What Senators said

This story originally published Oct. 16, 1991. It is being republished as part of the commemoration of USA TODAY's 40th anniversary Sept. 15, 2022.

Tuesday's 52-48 Senate vote to confirm Clarence Thomas was the most closely watched vote on a Supreme Court nominee in history. In the end, 41 Republicans and 11 Democrats backed Thomas. Some senators cited the Anita Hill allegations in their final decision; others said their choice was based on other factors. Here is what each member had to say about his or her vote:

Majority Leader George Mitchell, (D-Maine)

No: "The confirmation process has become uncomfortable and demeaning; it must be changed. Perhaps something good may yet come from this terrible episode.''

Minority Leader Robert Dole, (R-Kansas)

Yes: "The Senate's not going to fall apart over this vote. ... After all is said and done ... it boils down to a question of credibility. This is not a referendum on sexual harassment.''

Brock Adams, (D-Washington)

No: President should pick "the best, rather than well-packaged but undistinguished nominees who fill a right-wing agenda."

Daniel Akaka, (D-Hawaii)

No: Though he decided earlier to oppose, says he found Anita Hill to be "sincere'' and "credible'' during weekend Senate testimony.

Max Baucus, (D-Montana)

No: Cited Thomas' views, experience; said while American Bar Association panel rated him "qualified,'' two said "unqualified.''

Lloyd Bentsen, (D-Texas)

No: Opposed Thomas' "minimum qualifications'' for reasons unrelated to Hill's charges. "There are far more qualified individuals.''

Conrad Burns, (R-Montana)

Yes: "There is nothing in Judge Thomas' character to indicate that he would behave in the manner described'' by Anita Hill, others.

Robert Byrd, (D-West Virginia)

No: Switched his vote after weekend hearings."I believe Anita Hill. I thought that Anita Hill was thoughtful, reflective and truthful.''

John Chafee, (R-Rhode Island)

Yes: "Hill's problem is of a deep concern to many women. (But) after listening to both (sides), I'm sticking with Thomas.''

Daniel Coats, (R-Indiana)

Yes: "I do not believe that the (harassment) allegations made against Judge Thomas were adequately substantiated.''

Christopher Dodd, (D-Connecticut)

No: "I was leaning in favor of this nominee but ... I could not rid my own mind of the doubts'' raised by the initial confirmation hearings.

Pete Domenici, (R-New Mexico)

Yes: Early supporter. Thomas "has withstood this and emerged unscathed. How many of us could say the same?''

David Durenberger, (R-Minnesota)

Yes: "I will vote for Clarence Thomas because ... what I know about him is more compelling than the single charge against him.''

James Exon, (D-Nebraska)

Yes: "Both appear believable. ... On Oct. 4, I supported the nomination. ... I intend to vote for confirmation – but without enthusiasm.''

Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah)

Yes: Thomas is a "wonderful, honorable, decent man ... whose life has been really wronged.'' Hill's story "was not credible.''

Mark Hatfield, (R-Oregon)

Yes: The evidence against Thomas is "inconclusive to merit a reversal of (my) earlier support for Judge Thomas.''

Howell Heflin, (D-Alabama)

No: "Our nation deserves the best on the highest court in the land. ... The doubts are too many; the court is too important.''

Jesse Helms, (R-North Carolina)

Yes: "The issue is whether (Thomas opponents) want a man who they fear opposes the deliberate destruction of human life.''

Frank Lautenberg, (D-New Jersey)

No: "I do not believe that Judge Thomas would be a dependable guardian of the fundamental rights Americans have come to expect.''

Patrick Leahy, (D-Vermont)

No: "I voted against Judge Thomas because, after reviewing his record and listening to his testimony, I was left with too many questions.''

Carl Levin, (D-Michigan)

No: "I'll vote against because it hasn't been proven that (he) has the judicial temperament to qualify him to sit in highest judgment.''

Joseph Lieberman, (D-Connecticut)

No: "Her (Hill's) testimony was believable. ... I thought I should err on the side of caution.''

Sam Nunn, (D-Georgia)

Yes: Supported Thomas, a fellow Georgian. "He has met the test of intellect, integrity and open-mindedness.''

Bob Packwood, (R-Oregon)

No: "Since I have been left with very little knowledge of what Judge Thomas believes, I decided I will oppose the nomination.''

Claiborne Pell, (D-Rhode Island)

No: "I will vote against Judge Thomas because he is lacking in distinction as a judge and has espoused a curious philosophy.''

Larry Pressler, (R-South Dakota)

Yes: "My vote should not be taken as an indication that I believe either. ... I am voting for Judge Thomas because he's well qualified.''

John Seymour, (R-California)

Yes: "I said before that I was prepared to confirm Judge Thomas. I haven't seen anything that would cause me to change my opinion.''

Richard Shelby, (D-Ala.)

Yes: `"I have been troubled by the allegations, but I made a decision to support Judge Thomas, to give him the benefit of the doubt.''

Paul Simon, (D-Illinois)

No: "This nominee's views are either extreme or unknown. He failed to give answers where there is a serious question of credibility.''

Alan Simpson, (R-Wyoming)

Yes: Excoriated the media and affidavit leaker. "I don't know what more we could have done with the information furnished us.''

Joseph Biden Jr., (D-Deleware)

No: "We are voting on the future of the nation, not the character of the man. ... This is a vote about the future of America.''

Jeff Bingaman, (D-New Mexico)

No: Previously opposed nomination. "First, he was unqualified; second, I didn't think he'd been forthcoming'' during hearings.

Kit Bond, (R-Missouri)

Yes: "I found serious inconsistencies throughout Ms. Hill's testimony that lead me to conclude ... in favor of Judge Thomas.''

David Boren, (D-Oklahoma)

Yes: Backed Thomas before allegations but agonized on vote. "The accused should be given the benefit of the doubt.''

Thad Cochran, (R-Mississippi)

Yes: "It's a shame we had to see and hear those things. I think it's been kind of a spectacle, really. I don't know if we'll ever know the truth.''

William Cohen, (R-Maine)

Yes: "There was no clear-cut answer; no resolution of the dispute.'' Voted for Thomas despite constituent calls "heavily against him.''

Kent Conrad, (D-North Dakota)

No: Called Thomas, Hill testimony "credible'' but says he "had already determined that I could not support his confirmation.''

Larry Craig, (R-Idaho)

Yes: Wasn't swayed by sexual harassment charges. "I simply do not believe Anita Hill proved her case against Judge Thomas.''

Wendell Ford, (D-Ky.)

No: "There have always been doubts in my mind about his qualifications. ... I didn't want to send a doubt to the court.''

Wyche Fowler Jr., (D-Georgia)

Yes: "Dispassionate analysis of the charges was impossible,'' but "there was nothing to prove the charges'' against Thomas.

Jake Garn, (R-Utah)

Yes: "My commitment to ... Clarence Thomas is as strong as it was before. I think this was part of a conspiracy by the Democrats.''

John Glenn, (D-Ohio)

No: "Judge Thomas has had relatively little experience on the bench. ... I cannot in clear conscience support'' his nomination to the court.

Ernest Hollings, (D-South Carolina)

Yes: It comes down to the president's right to appoint a conservative to the Supreme Court. "That was the bottom line for me.''

Daniel Inouye, (D-Hawaii)

No: An early opponent who said in a statement before vote: "I have too many questions and too many doubts'' about Thomas.

James Jeffords, (R-Vermont)

No: Reiterated his early opposition by saying: "I find Judge Thomas' record to be troubling and I cannot simply discount it.''

J. Bennett Johnston, (D-Louisiana.)

Yes: "I believe Judge Thomas is qualified. I said so two weeks ago. Nothing has transpired in the meantime to take away from that.''

Trent Lott, (R-Mississippi)

Yes: "I looked at the man's background and I am impressed. He has the character necessary to serve on the Supreme Court.''

Richard Lugar, (R-Indiana)

Yes: "They (Democratic staffers) finally uncovered a witness in Professor Hill who made serious charges. I think that strategy failed.''

Connie Mack, (R-Florida)

Yes: It's "one person's word against the other's. I intend to support President Bush's nominee, Clarence Thomas. I don't believe Anita Hill.''

John McCain, (R-Arizona)

Yes: "With regard to the allegations made by Professor Hill, the case simply has not been made against the ... confirmation.''

David Pryor, (D-Arkansas)

No: "I felt Mr. Thomas' tenure as head of the EEOC raised serious questions about his qualifications for higher office.''

Harry Reid, (D-Nevada)

No: Said he could not vote for Thomas. "The last thing I did before I decided was to call my wife. I believe Anita Hill was telling the truth.''

Donald Riegle, (D-Michigan)

No: "I cannot find a single distinguishing aspect in Mr. Thomas' legal career that would warrant his consideration for the court.''

Charles Robb, (D-Virginia)

Yes: Hearings "did not change my instincts'' about Thomas, who he said would not bring a "specific ideological agenda'' to the court.

Robert Smith, (R-New Hampshire)

Yes: Believes Thomas will interpret law rather than make it – an approach he agrees with. Hearings had no effect on Smith's support.

Arlen Specter, (R-Pennsylvania)

Yes: "What's at stake here is credibility. In my judgment, the weight of the evidence supports Clarence Thomas.''

Ted Stevens, (R-Alaska)

Yes: Sen. Danforth "convinced me some time ago that Thomas is an outstanding man. ... I saw no reason not to support him again.''

Steve Symms, (R-Idaho)

Yes: Hearings a "true test'' of Thomas' character. "His fortitude in the face of this inquisition convinces me of his fitness for service.''

Bill Bradley, (D-New Jersey)

No: Offended by the "way the men in the White House chose to wage battle.'' Strategy to discredit Hill "ultimate in sexual stereotyping.''

John Breaux, (D-Louisiana)

Yes: "I have been impressed with the women who knew Judge Thomas as a colleague (and) testified he never exhibited sexual harassment.''

Hank Brown, (R-Colorado)

Yes: "The proof that (Thomas) did this thing is simply not there. At this point, the case for this very serious charge hasn't been made.''

Richard Bryan, (D-Nevada)

No: Was one of the first senators to declare he would withdraw support for Thomas unless vote was delayed to investigate allegations.

Alan Cranston, (D-California)

No: "I found myself doubting Judge Thomas' veracity. A man should not be on the U.S. Supreme Court with doubts about his truthfulness.''

Alfonse D'Amato, (R-New York)

Yes: "I believe that the professor was used. I believe that there are serious doubts as to the validity of the claims, as serious as they are.''

John Danforth, (R-Missouri)

Yes: "I believe Clarence Thomas. He is an enormously strong person who has endured what no one should ever endure.''

Thomas Daschle, (D-South Dakota)

No: Prior decision to vote against Thomas because "he wasn't qualified.'' Was not swayed by the sexual harassment allegation.

Albert Gore Jr., (D-Tennessee)

No: "Judge Thomas said he had no conversation with any individual about Roe vs. Wade,'' the abortion ruling. "Is that credible?''

Slade Gorton, (R-Washington)

Yes: "I doubt any of us will ever know the truth'' but "I cannot deny him that position on suspicion alone, no matter how troubling.''

Bob Graham, (D-Florida)

No: Presumed "correctness'' of president's pick, but accepts "factual statement of the circumstances'' presented by Hill.

Phil Gramm, (R-Texas)

Yes: "The people who voted for George Bush have every reason to expect he would appoint conservatives to the Supreme Court.''

Nancy Kassebaum, (R-Kansas)

Yes: Chided "witch hunt'' against Hill, but Thomas "deserved better than we can now give him.'' Found no reason to withdraw support.

Robert Kasten, (R-Wisconsin)

Yes: "The charges against Clarence Thomas were very serious, but I am simply not convinced that they are true.''

Edward Kennedy, (D-Massachusetts)

No: "The Senate should give the benefit of the doubt to the Supreme Court and to the American people, not to Thomas.''

Bob Kerrey, (D-Nebraska)

No: Presidential candidate said Thomas possibly "did something that might have been interpreted as sexual harassment.''

Mitch McConnell, (R-Kentucky)

Yes: "Denying confirmation based on an unproven allegation would be contrary to American principles.''

Howard Metzenbaum, (D-Ohio)

No: Wanted to believe Thomas, "but when I heard Anita Hill I found myself unable to believe she was not telling the truth.''

Barbara Mikulski, (D-Maryland)

No: "What we saw was not a hearing but an inquisition.'' Hill, "who had the courage to stand up and say 'no,' is being victimized.''

Daniel Moynihan, (D-New York)

No: Switched vote. Asked why, said he didn't want "to say anything that in the least way would follow Judge Thomas to the court.''

Jay Rockefeller, (D-West Virginia)

No: "Judge Thomas' appointment is a retreat from excellence, another triumph of mediocrity, engineered by George Bush.''

William Roth, (R-Deleware)

Yes: "It is time to put an intelligent and judicious individual in a most venerable position.''

Warren Rudman, (R-New Hampshire)

Yes: "While he is not as experienced as some past nominees, Judge Clarence Thomas is qualified to take a seat on the Supreme Court.''

Terry Sanford, (D-North Carolina)

No: "I have listened to his testimony and read his articles and I have found him wanting. His testimony was less than convincing.''

Strom Thurmond, (R-South Carolina)

Yes: "I do not believe Judge Thomas is capable of the kind of behavior Professor Hill described. ... I think the judge has been vindicated.''

Malcolm Wallop, (R-Wyoming)

Yes: "If you can derail one person's access to higher office without providing proof, then there's no case for finding competent people.''

John Warner, (R-Virginia)

Yes: "Judge Thomas is the president's choice.'' Second hearing was not "a clear basis on which to decide who's truthful and who's not.''

Paul Wellstone, (D-Minnesota)

No: Opposition to Thomas was unchanged. "I cannot support a nominee who says he or she has no articulable views.''

Dale Bumpers, (D-Arkansas)

No: Opposed before harassment allegations surfaced and, therefore, says he did not "judge the truth or falsity of these late allegations.''

Quentin Burdick, (D-North Dakota)

No: Had already opposed the Thomas nomination so wasn't swayed by weekend hearings airing the sexual harassment allegations.

Dennis DeConcini, (D-Arizona)

Yes: "There is not sufficient evidence (of harassment). ... It's inconclusive. The whole process (didn't) change my support.''

Alan Dixon, (D-Illinois)

Yes: "Judge Thomas is entitled to a presumption of innocence. The committee hearings did not overcome that presumption.''

Charles Grassley, (R-Iowa)

Yes: "I have decided to continue my support'' of Thomas. "I sat through every hour. ... Hill's story just doesn't add up.''

Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa)

No: Presidential candidate said Thomas failed to show "unequivocal'' support for individual rights. Hearings "deepened my doubts.''

John Kerry, (D-Massachusetts)

No: "You cannot ignore the weight of (Hill's) testimony. Part of this story is untold, but that does not contradict ... what may have happened.''

Herbert Kohl, (D-Wisconsin)

No: "He is not qualified. There is ... the possibility we may be placing on the Supreme Court someone who has committed perjury.''

Frank Murkowski, (R-Alaska)

Yes: "The goal seems to be to win at all costs. Fairness dictates that the substantial doubt that exists be resolved in favor of Judge Thomas.''

Don Nickles, (R-Oklahoma)

Yes: "I resolved to keep an open mind. After listening to all the witnesses, I found the charges were not proven.''

Paul Sarbanes, (D-Maryland)

No: Had "many unanswered questions, ... serious doubts'' about his judicial stance. It's "too important a position to base upon hope.''

Jim Sasser, (D-Tennessee)

No: "There are doubts about the nominee's legal experience, his legal maturity, his legal theory, and now, sadly, his character.''

Timothy Wirth, (D-Colorado)

No: "The primary reason I cannot vote to confirm Thomas is his ambiguous stand on the right to privacy and reproductive freedom.''

Harris Wofford, (D-Pennsylvania)

No: He was "especially disappointed to witness a confirmation process which, from the outset, elevated politics over qualifications.''

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senators discuss confirmed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas