At first the measure simply assumed that the Missouri Compromise had been superseded by the Act of 1850.

Later the bill was amended in such a way as to repeal distinctly that time-honored act.

At first the plan was to organize Nebraska as a single Territory extending from Texas to Canada.
Later it was proposed to organize separate Territories, one west of Missouri under the name of Kansas, the other west of Iowa under the name of Nebraska.

Opposition came from Free-soilers, from Northern Whigs and a few Whigs from the South, and from a large proportion of Northern Democrats.

The repeal of the Missouri Compromise came like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky to the people of the North.