73rd United States Congress

73rd United States Congress convened in Washington, D.C. during the first years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, a period defined by the Great Depression and the launch of the New Deal. It was the first Congress since the Reconstruction era where Democrats held unified control of the presidency and both chambers of the United States Congress. This historic session, known as the "Hundred Days," enacted an unprecedented wave of legislation aimed at economic recovery, relief, and reform, fundamentally reshaping the role of the Federal government of the United States.

Major legislation

The legislative output was dominated by landmark New Deal programs and financial reforms. Key acts included the Emergency Banking Act, which granted the President broad powers over banking, and the Glass–Steagall Act, which established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and separated commercial and investment banking. Major relief and public works initiatives were created, such as the Federal Emergency Relief Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps Act, and the National Industrial Recovery Act, which also created the Public Works Administration. The Agricultural Adjustment Act sought to raise farm prices, while the Tennessee Valley Authority Act established the Tennessee Valley Authority for regional development. Other significant laws included the Truth in Securities Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the abrogation of the gold clause in contracts via a joint resolution.

Leadership

thumb|right|Speaker of the House Henry Thomas Rainey Leadership in the Senate was provided by Vice President John Nance Garner, who served as President of the Senate. The President pro tempore was Senator Key Pittman of Nevada. The Democratic floor leader was Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas, with James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois serving as Democratic whip. The Republican minority was led by Charles L. McNary of Oregon. In the House of Representatives, Henry Thomas Rainey of Illinois served as Speaker. The House Majority Leader was Joseph Wellington Byrns of Tennessee, and the House Majority Whip was Arthur H. Greenwood of Indiana. The House Minority Leader was Bertrand Snell of New York.

Party summary

The 1932 elections produced overwhelming Democratic majorities. In the Senate, Democrats held 60 seats, Republicans 35, and the Farmer-Labor party held 1 seat. This gave Democrats a commanding 25-seat majority. The House of Representatives saw an even more dramatic shift, with Democrats securing 313 seats to the Republicans' 117. Five seats were held by minor parties, including the Wisconsin Progressive, Farmer-Labor, and Minnesota Farmer-Labor parties. One seat remained vacant. This dominance allowed the Roosevelt administration to pass its agenda with little effective opposition from the diminished Republican conference.

Major events

The Congress opened in the immediate aftermath of the banking crisis, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt declaring a national bank holiday on March 5, 1933. His first hundred days saw a whirlwind of legislative activity and executive actions, including the famous fireside chats to the American public. Significant events included the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed Prohibition, in December 1933. The period was also marked by the establishment of major Alphabet agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Internationally, the United States recognized the Soviet Union in November 1933.

Members

The Senate roster included prominent figures such as Huey Long of Louisiana, Robert F. Wagner of New York, and George W. Norris of Nebraska. Notable freshmen senators included Harry S. Truman of Missouri, who would later become President. The House membership featured future Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas and influential committee chairs like Robert L. Doughton of North Carolina on Ways and Means. The delegation from New York included Fiorello H. La Guardia, who would soon become Mayor of New York City. The large class of new Democratic members, often called "New Dealers," provided strong support for the administration's programs in committees like the House Appropriations Committee. Category:73rd United States Congress Category:1933 in American politics Category:1934 in American politics