Page "Kansas–Nebraska Act" Paragraph 29

On March 21, 1854, as a delaying tactic in the House of Representatives, the legislation was referred by a vote of 110 to 95 to the Committee of the Whole, where it was the last item on the calendar.

Realizing from the vote to stall that the act faced an uphill struggle, the Pierce administration made it clear to all Democrats that passage of the bill was essential to the party and would dictate how federal patronage would be handled.

Jefferson Davis and Attorney General Caleb Cushing from Massachusetts, along with Douglas, spearheaded the partisan efforts.

By the end of April Douglas believed that there were enough votes to pass the bill.

The house leadership then began a series of roll call votes in which legislation ahead of the Kansas – Nebraska Act was called to the floor and tabled without debate.