Changes

The Act was passed by the U.S. Congress over strong opposition within the Democratic Party. Republican Leader [[Everett Dirksen]] was instrumental in its passage.<ref>[http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_histmats_civilrights64_cloturespeech.htm Everett McKinley Dirksen's Finest Hour: June 10, 1964], ''The Peoria Journal Star'', June 10, 2004, retrieved from The Dirksen Congressional center 05/20/07.</ref> in breaking the Democratic [[filibuster]]. Dirksen spoke on the Senate floor,

The Act was passed by the U.S. Congress over strong opposition within the Democratic Party. Republican Leader [[Everett Dirksen]] was instrumental in its passage.<ref>[http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_histmats_civilrights64_cloturespeech.htm Everett McKinley Dirksen's Finest Hour: June 10, 1964], ''The Peoria Journal Star'', June 10, 2004, retrieved from The Dirksen Congressional center 05/20/07.</ref> in breaking the Democratic [[filibuster]]. Dirksen spoke on the Senate floor,

{{quotebox|The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing of government, in education, and in employment. It must not be stayed or denied. It is here!}}

{{quotebox|The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing of government, in education, and in employment. It must not be stayed or denied. It is here!}}

Under Johnson, the Senate had not been able to muster enough votes to cut off a filibuster on a Civil Rights Bill. With Republican support, the final count showed 44 Democrats and 27 Republicans voting to end the filibuster, with 23 Democrats and only 6 Republicans opposed. The formal Senate vote on the bill took place on June 19, 1964. It passed overwhelmingly, 73-27.  

Under Johnson, the Senate had not been able to muster enough votes to cut off a filibuster on a Civil Rights Bill. With Republican support, the final count showed 44 Democrats and 27 Republicans voting to end the filibuster, with 23 Democrats and only 6 Republicans opposed. The formal Senate vote on the bill took place on June 19, 1964. It passed 73-27.  

The final Senate vote on August 4 was 49 Democrats and 30 Republicans in favor, one Republican and 17 Democrats opposed. [[Segregation]]ists who voted against the Voting Rights Act were [[J. William Fulbright]],<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,871879,00.html?iid=chix-sphere Picking the Team], ''TIME Magazine'', December 12, 1960.</ref> awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by [[Bill Clinton]], and Al Gore, Sr., father of Democratic Presidential Nominee [[Al Gore]].

The final Senate vote on August 4 was 49 Democrats and 30 Republicans in favor, one Republican and 17 Democrats opposed. Democrat [[segregation]]ist leaders who voted against the Voting Rights Act were [[J. William Fulbright]],<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,871879,00.html?iid=chix-sphere Picking the Team], ''TIME Magazine'', December 12, 1960.</ref> awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Al Gore, Sr.][], father of 2000 Democratic Presidential Nominee [[Al Gore]].

The two numbers in each line of this list refer to the number of representatives voting in favor and against the act, respectively.

The two numbers in each line of this list refer to the number of representatives voting in favor and against the act, respectively.