Answer ยท confidence: partial
Did missing senators explain the smaller turnout on December 18 and 23, 1913?
Research question: Who was absent or paired on the December 18 and December 23, 1913 Senate votes (54-34 and 43-25), and did absences explain the difference in turnout between the two votes?
The records do not name the senators who were absent or paired on either vote. The Chickasha daily express says its account of the December 23 vote, 43 to 25, does not name absent or paired senators 3. A history of the Federal Reserve System says almost 30 senators had left for Christmas vacation by the final vote, which it suggests likely explains the lower turnout 5. The 54-34 vote is dated to Friday night, December 19, not December 18 as the question states 1, and the sources do not directly confirm that absences caused the difference 5.
Checked 2026-10-21. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] documented
The Senate passed the currency bill by a vote of 54 to 34.
"passed the senate last night by a vote of 54 to 34."Image 1 of The Hattiesburg news (Hattiesburg, Miss.), December 20, 1913
[2] supported
The Senate passed the administration currency bill by a roll call vote of 54 to 34, according to the article's headline.
"ROLL GALL RESULTS 54 TO 34"Image 1 of The Wibaux pioneer (Wibaux, Mont.), December 26, 1913
[3] supported
The Senate adopted the currency conference report on December 23, 1913, by a vote of 43 to 25; the document does not name absent or paired senators.
"adopted the currency conference report by a vote of 43 to 25."Image 1 of The Chickasha daily express (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]), December 23, 1913
[4] supported
Every Democratic senator who was present and voting, including Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, was recorded in favor of the bill.
"Every Democratic senator present and vot-j Ins, including Senator Hitchcock ot Nebraska, was recorded in favor of the bill."Image 1 of The Wibaux pioneer (Wibaux, Mont.), December 26, 1913
[5] supported
By the time the final Federal Reserve bill came to a Senate vote, almost 30 senators had left for Christmas vacation, which likely explains the lower turnout.
"but almost 30 senators had left for Christmas vacation by the time the final bill came to a vote."History of the Federal Reserve System
[6] supported
Six Republicans voted for the currency bill, along with Progressive Senator Poindexter of Washington.
"Six Republicans voted for it"Image 1 of The Wibaux pioneer (Wibaux, Mont.), December 26, 1913
[7] supported
The final bill passed the Senate the day after the House vote, by 43 votes to 25.
"passed the Senate the next day by a vote of 43 to 25."History of the Federal Reserve System
[8] supported
An earlier version of the bill had passed the Senate by 54 votes to 34, a higher turnout than the final vote.
"An earlier version of the bill had passed the Senate 54 to 34"History of the Federal Reserve System