Treaties and Agreements
1957 -- Mideast Doctrine, authorizing President to use military and economic aid to combat communism in the Middle East. Passed 72-19 (D 30-16; R 42-3) March 5. Kennedy FOR.
1957 -- Amendment to statute of International Atomic Energy Agency requiring Congressional approval of U.S. donation of special fissionable materials. Rejected 31-55 (D 13-31; R 18-24) June 18. Kennedy AGAINST.
1955 -- Strike from Formosa Policy resolution Presidential authority to secure related positions and territories in the area. Rejected 13-74 (D 12-32; R 1-42) Jan. 28. Kennedy FOR.
1955 -- Passage of Formosa Policy resolution, authorizing President to use U.S. forces to defend that area. Passed 85-3 (D 42-2; R 43-1) Jan. 28. Kennedy FOR.
1954 -- George version of Bricker constitutional amendment limiting treaty making powers of the President. (Two-thirds majority or 61 "yeas" needed.) Rejected 60-31 (D 28-16; R 32-14). Feb. 26. Kennedy AGAINST.
1953 -- Reservation to Status of Forces Treaty giving U.S. exclusive jurisdiction over U.S. forces for offenses committed abroad. Rejected 27-53 (D 12-26; R 15-27) July 14. Kennedy ABSENT.
Taxes
1959 -- Repeal 4 percent tax credit on dividend income. Agreed, to 47-31 (D 44-7; R 3-24) June 25. Kennedy FOR.
1959 -- Reduce on a graduated scale the depletion allowance on oil and gas wells. Rejected 21-54 (D 16-33; R 5-21) June 25. Kennedy FOR.
1959 -- Increase federal excise tax on gasoline 1.5 cents per gallon. Rejected 33-46 (D 12-40; R 21-6) June 25. Kennedy FOR.
1958 -- $6 billion tax cut. Rejected 23-65 (D 20-24; R 3-41) June 18. Kennedy FOR.
1958 -- Reduce taxes on taxes on small corporations and increase large corporations. Rejected 34-45 (D 22-19; R 12-26) June 20. Kennedy FOR.
1954 -- Increase annual personal income tax exemption from $600 to $700 and delete provisions granting dividend exclusions and tax credit. Rejected 46-49 (D 43-4; R 2-45) June 30. Kennedy FOR.
1950 -- Across-the-board cut in federal spending. Agreed to 273-113 (D 116-111; R 157-1) May 10. Kennedy FOR.
1948 -- Income tax reduction. Passage over veto. Passed 311-88 (D 82-84; R 229-2) April 2. Kennedy AGAINST.
1948 -- Tighten credit. Passed 264-97 (D 51-92; R 213-3) Aug. 5. Kennedy AGAINST.
Communist Bloc Policy
1959 -- Give the President authority to approve economic aid to European Communist satellites. Passed 49-40 (D 33-23; R 16-17) Sept. 12. Kennedy FOR.
1958 -- Bar aid to Yugoslavia and Poland. Rejected 22-54 (D 7-30; R 15-24) June 6. Kennedy AGAINST.
1956 -- Bar use of foreign aid funds for military equipment to Yugoslavia, except to maintain equipment previously furnished. Agreed to 50-42 (D 24-23; R 26-19) July 24. Kennedy AGAINST.
Defense
1959 -- Limit draft extension to two years, rather than four. Rejected 24-67 (D 16-43; R 8-24) March 11. Kennedy AGAINST.
1958 -- Transfer $150 million for accelerated missile-defense program. Passed 78-0 (D 36-0; R42-0) Feb. 3. Kennedy FOR.
1956 -- Increase Air Force procurement funds by $800 million. Agreed to 48-40 (D 43-3; R 5-37) June 26. Kennedy FOR.
1955 -- Increase Marine Corps funds by $46 million. Agreed to 40-39 (D 37-2; R 3-37) June 20. Kennedy FOR.
1954 -- Increase by $350,466,000 defense appropriations for army personnel and maintenance. Rejected 38-50 (D 37-10; R 1-40) June 17. Kennedy FOR.
1953 -- Increase Air Force funds for aircraft purchases by $400 million. Rejected 38-55 (D 37-9; R 0-46) July 23. Kennedy FOR.
1948 -- Peacetime military draft. Passed 282-131 (D 144-31; R 138-98) June 18. Kennedy FOR.
Federal Control
1958 -- Kill a bonus of federal funds for states that agree to regulate billboards along new stretches of the Interstate Highway System. Rejected 41-47 (D 21-24; R 20-23) March 26. Kennedy AGAINST.
1956 -- Amend Natural Gas Act to exempt independent producers from federal utility-rate control. Passed 53-38 (D 22-24; R 31-14) Feb. 6. Kennedy AGAINST.
1953 -- Give the states title and control of tideland areas within their boundaries. Agreed to 56-35 (D 21-25; R 35-9) May 5. Kennedy AGAINST.
Personalities
1959 -- Nomination of Lewis L. Strauss as Secretary of Commerce. Rejected 46-49 (D 15-47; R 31-2) June 19. Kennedy AGAINST.
1954 -- Condemnation of Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy (1946-57). Agreed to 67-22 (D 44-0; R 22-22) Dec. 2. Kennedy ABSENT.