77th Congress of the United States
The 77th Congress of the United States , consisting of the House and Senate , was the legislature of the United States . Its legislative term lasted from January 3, 1941 to January 3, 1943. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senators ( Class I ) were elected in the state of Maine in the November 1940 and September congressional elections. This resulted in a majority in both chambers for the Democratic Party , which, along with Franklin D. Roosevelt, also provided the president. The Republican Party only had the role in the opposition. During the legislative period there were a few resignations and deaths, but these did not change the majority. The Congress met in the American capital Washington, DC The United States at that time consisted of 48 states. The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1930 census .
Important events
- January 3, 1941: Beginning of the legislative period of the 77th Congress
- The first eleven months of the legislative period in which the United States had not yet participated in World War II were shaped by the events of the war that had raged in Europe since 1939. In addition, Japanese aggression in Asia increasingly threatened relations with the USA.
- December 7, 1941: Japanese attack on the American naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii . The United States is thereby drawn into World War II. Shortly afterwards Germany, as an ally of Japan, declares war on the USA.
The rest of the legislative period is shaped by the events of the war.
The main laws
During the session of the 77th Congress, the following federal laws were passed ( see also: Legislative procedure ):
- March 11, 1941: Loan and Lease Act passed
- August 18, 1941: Flood Control Act of 1941
- December 8, 1941: Declaration of war on Japan.
- December 11, 1941: After the German declaration of war on the USA, Congress for its part resolves to declare a state of war with Germany. At the same time, war is declared on Italy too.
- January 30, 1942: Emergency Price Control Act
- June 5, 1942: Declaration of war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.
- June 22, 1942: Resolution— United States Flag Code, including pledge of allegiance pledge
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Party: 66 (majority)
- Republican Party: 28
- Others: 2
Total: 96
House of Representatives
- Democratic Party: 267 (majority)
- Republican Party: 162
- Others: 6
Total: 435
There were also four congressional delegates who were not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
- President of the Senate : John Nance Garner (D) until January 20, 1941, then Henry A. Wallace (D)
- President per tempore : Pat Harrison (D) until June 22, 1941, then Carter Glass (D)
Leadership of the majority party
- Majority Leader: Alben W. Barkley (D)
- Majority swip: J. Lister Hill (D)
Leadership of the minority party
- Minority Leader: Charles L. McNary (R)
- Minority whip: vacant between 1935 and 1945
House of Representatives
- House Speaker : Sam Rayburn (D)
Leadership of the majority party
- Majority Leader: John W. McCormack (D)
- Majority swip: Patrick J. Boland , (D) until May 18, 1942, then Robert Ramspeck (D)
Leadership of the minority party
- Minority Leader: Joseph William Martin (R)
- Minority whip: Harry Lane Englebright (R)
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 77th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 77th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 77 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 77th Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)