62nd United States Congress

62nd United States Congress
Number	62nd
Caption	The United States Capitol in 1900.
Body	United States Congress
Term start	March 4, 1911
Term end	March 4, 1913
Before	61st United States Congress
After	63rd United States Congress
Session1	March 4, 1911 – August 22, 1911
Session2	December 4, 1911 – August 26, 1912
Session3	December 2, 1912 – March 3, 1913
President	William Howard Taft
Pro tem	Augustus O. Bacon
Speaker	Champ Clark
Senators	96
House-seats	391
Control1	Democratic (coalition)
Control2	Democratic

62nd United States Congress convened in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1911, to March 4, 1913, during the final two years of William Howard Taft's presidency. It was a period of significant political transition, with the Democratic Party gaining control of the House of Representatives for the first time since the 53rd United States Congress. This Congress witnessed intense legislative battles over tariff reform, antitrust law, and constitutional amendments, reflecting the era's Progressive fervor.

Major legislation

Key legislative achievements included the passage of the Mann–Elkins Act, which expanded the authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission over telecommunications and railroads. Congress also approved the Sixteenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, which authorized a federal income tax. Other significant acts were the Publicity Act of 1911, requiring disclosure of campaign expenditures, and the Weeks Act, facilitating federal purchase of forest lands. The Seventeenth Amendment, mandating the direct election of U.S. Senators, was also passed by this Congress and sent to the states for ratification.

Party summary

In the Senate, the Republican Party held a slim majority, but a coalition with Progressive Republicans and Democrats often dictated proceedings. The Democratic Party secured a decisive majority in the House of Representatives following the 1910 elections. This shift ended a long period of Republican dominance in the lower chamber and empowered Speaker Champ Clark and the Ways and Means Committee.

Leadership

Senate leadership included President pro tempore Augustus O. Bacon of Georgia. Key Republican leaders were Jacob H. Gallinger and Shelley Moore's predecessor in influence, while Democrats were led by Thomas S. Martin of Virginia. In the House, Democrat Champ Clark of Missouri served as Speaker, with Oscar Underwood of Alabama as Majority Leader. The Republican Minority Leader was James R. Mann of Illinois.

Members

The Senate comprised 96 members from 46 states, with notable figures including Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin, Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, and John H. Bankhead of Alabama. The House had 391 seats, with influential members such as Cordell Hull of Tennessee, Nicholas Longworth of Ohio, and John J. Fitzgerald of New York. This Congress saw the service of future president Warren G. Harding as a Senator from Ohio.

Major events

Major events included the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment in February 1913. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City in March 1911 spurred congressional investigations into labor conditions. President William Howard Taft's dollar diplomacy and antitrust actions against U.S. Steel were central political issues. The 1912 presidential election, which saw the victory of Woodrow Wilson and the split of the Republican Party between Taft and Theodore Roosevelt, dominated the final session.

Committees

Prominent Senate committees included the Finance Committee, chaired by Boies Penrose, and the Interstate Commerce Committee, led by Moses E. Clapp. In the House, the powerful Ways and Means Committee was chaired by Oscar Underwood, while the Rules Committee was led by Robert L. Henry. Investigative committees, such as those probing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and lobbying practices, were also active.

Constitutional amendments

This Congress proposed two landmark amendments to the Constitution. The Sixteenth Amendment, granting Congress the power to levy an income tax, was passed in 1909 by the previous Congress and ratified on February 3, 1913. The Seventeenth Amendment, establishing the direct election of U.S. Senators, was passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, and sent to the states, where it was ratified in April 1913.

Category:62nd United States Congress