74th United States Congress

74th United States Congress convened in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1937, during the third and fourth years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term. Dominated by large Democratic majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, this Congress was a pivotal period for enacting major components of the New Deal. It operated amidst the ongoing Great Depression and increasing political challenges to Roosevelt's agenda from both the left and right.

Major legislation

This session produced landmark acts central to the Second New Deal, including the Social Security Act, which established a federal old-age pension system and unemployment insurance. The National Labor Relations Act (or Wagner Act) guaranteed workers' rights to collective bargaining and created the National Labor Relations Board. Other significant laws were the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Banking Act of 1935, and the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. The Revenue Act of 1935, often called the "Wealth Tax Act," significantly increased taxes on high incomes and large estates.

Leadership

In the Senate, leadership included Vice President John Nance Garner as the presiding officer and Key Pittman as President pro tempore. The Senate Majority Leader was Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas, while the Senate Minority Leader was Charles L. McNary of Oregon. In the House, Joseph W. Byrns, Sr. of Tennessee served as Speaker until his death in June 1936, succeeded by William B. Bankhead of Alabama. The House Majority Leader was William B. Bankhead until he became Speaker, and the House Minority Leader was Bertrand Snell of New York.

Party summary

The Democratic Party held commanding majorities. In the Senate, there were 69 Democrats, 25 Republicans, 1 Farmer–Labor member, and 1 Progressive. In the House, the division was 319 Democrats, 103 Republicans, 7 Progressives, 3 Farmer–Labor, and 3 Minnesota Farmer–Labor. This overwhelming Democratic control, particularly from the 1934 midterm elections, facilitated the passage of Roosevelt's legislative agenda despite growing internal party divisions.

Members

The Senate roster included prominent figures such as George W. Norris (Nebraska), Robert F. Wagner (New York), and Huey Long (Louisiana), whose "Share Our Wealth" movement challenged the administration. Notable freshmen senators included Harry S. Truman of Missouri. The House membership featured future leaders like Sam Rayburn (Texas) and John W. McCormack (Massachusetts). The delegation from Michigan included Frank Murphy before his appointment as Governor-General of the Philippines. The Wisconsin delegation was notable for its Progressive members aligned with Robert M. La Follette Jr.

Major events

Key events included the assassination of Huey Long in Baton Rouge in September 1935, which removed a potent critic of the New Deal. The Supreme Court issued its unanimous decision in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States in May 1935, invalidating the National Industrial Recovery Act. In 1936, Congress passed the Bonus Bill over President Roosevelt's veto, authorizing early payment of World War I veterans' bonuses. The 1936 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia renominated Roosevelt and Garner, while the 1936 Republican National Convention in Cleveland nominated Alf Landon and Frank Knox. The period was also marked by significant labor unrest, including strikes led by the Congress of Industrial Organizations.

Category:74th United States Congress Category:1935 in the United States Category:1936 in the United States