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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2013
The second session of the Eightieth Congress was convened under unusual circumstances: the Republicans controlled the Congress, the Democrats the presidency and administration, and both the President and Congress faced a national election.
In response to this situation, the majority party at times conducted itself in both houses as if a congressional and presidential Republican victory in the approaching election were a certainty; particular members of the Democratic party in each house were frequently outspoken in their opposition to electing President Truman as the next president; both parties performed on occasions as if bidding against each other for votes in the coming election; and a number of representatives and senators were concerned with the outcome at the national conventions. This condition was evidenced when the spokesman of the Senate Democrats, Senator Barkley, on the closing night just prior to the Republican convention had the following to say:
“… I understand hope has been abandoned of getting a housing bill, but I have been told tonight that the Republican moguls in Philadelphia have sent word down here that we are not to adjourn until a housing bill is passed—just anything that has got a house in it.
1 The first session of the Eightieth Congress opened with the following political composition: Senate—Republicans, 51, Democrats, 45; House—Republicans, 246, Democrats, 188, American Labor, 1. Shortly before the close of the second session, the composition of the Senate remained unchanged and the House membership was: Republicans, 245, Democrats, 185, American Labor, 2, and vacant, 3.
1a Cong. Rec., 80th Cong., 2d sess., p. 9429—hereafter cited as C.R. 80-2.
2 Congressional Quarterly, “Log for Editors,” Aug. 20, 1948, p. 587Google Scholar.
3 See this Review, Vol. 42 (Aug., 1948), p. 677.
4 This includes proceedings on Dec. 31, 1948.
5 At. p. 2032 of the C.R. 80-2, Senators Fulbright and Barkley had the following to say: “Mr. Fulbright. I merely wish to add one comment. I was very anxious to hear the opening address of the Senator from Michigan, but the Committee on the Judiciary was in session, and the committee could not be dismissed until a considerable time after the Senator from Michigan started. That is a very common occurrence. I wanted to be in both places, I may say to the Senator from Kentucky, and I tried to make a point of order, but I could not make a point of order because the chairman said he had permission to sit during the session of the Senate. That goes on day after day. But what can we do about it? Mr. Babkley. I merely want to say that I am not criticizing Senators for making a choice between attending a session of a committee or the session of the Senate. I am saying that the practice of giving consent that Senate committees may hold hearings or have meetings while the Senate itself is in session has had a very bad effect on senatorial attendance upon the sessions of the Senate itself.”
6 C.R. 80-2, pp. 8963–9136, 9137–9171.
7 C.R. 80-2, p. 6729.
8 C.R. 80-2, p. 6728.
9 C.R. 80-2, pp. 5349–5370, 5379–5381; also pp. D437–438.
10 C.R. 80-2, p. D245.
11 For details, see proceedings of April 2 through April 15.
12 District of Columbia bills are generally non-controversial, and pass after a minimum of consideration. Perhaps over 100 such bills were passed during the session.
13 Of the 47, a total of 21 provided for one hour general debate each, 15 for 2 hours each, 5 for 3, 3 for 4, 1 for 5, 1 for 15, and 1 for 2 days.
14 Three of these were then open for committee amendments only and one was not open for any amendments.
15 Two authorized the substitution of House language for that of the Senate.
16 Two of the rules were blanket in nature, authorizing suspension of the rules or recess during the remainder of the session, and two provided for consideration of one bill (H.Res. 450 and H.Res. 510).
17 C.R. 80-2, pp. 4181–4182.
18 Two private laws were included under one number: Private Laws 394 and 394-A.
19 During the first session, 526 laws were enacted, of which 395 were public and 131 private.
20 Each chamber played a more important rôle in legislative activity than these figures show. Of the 1,191 measures passed by the House, 624 were House bills, 289 Senate bills, 34 House joint resolutions, 24 Senate joint resolutions, 32 House concurrent resolutions, 12 Senate concurrent resolutions, and 176 House resolutions. (In the first session of the 80th Congress, 1,029 measures were passed.) During the second session, 2,903 bills and resolutions were introduced in the House, of which 2,332 were House bills, 164 House joint resolutions, 96 House concurrent resolutions, and 311 House resolutions. (In the first session, 5,658 bills and resolutions were introduced in the House.) House committees made 1,245 reports.
Of the 1,071 measures passed by the Senate in the second session, 358 were Senate bills, 532 House bills, 28 Senate joint resolutions, 29 House joint resolutions, 17 Senate concurrent resolutions, 31 House concurrent resolutions, and 76 Senate resolutions. (In the first session, 841 measures were passed.) During the second session, 1,217 bills and resolutions were introduced in the Senate, of which 1,021 were Senate bills, 71 Senate joint resolutions, 26 Senate concurrent resolutions, and 99 Senate resolutions. (In the first session, 2,312 bills and resolutions were introduced in the Senate.) Senate committees made 968 reports. For tabulation of these data, see Daily Digest of Record, p. 791, and daily Record for December 31, 1948.
21 See also Appropriations Estimates, etc., by Everard H. Smith and George Y. Harvey, clerks to Senate and House Appropriations Committees, pp. 1–1000 (S.Doc. 205, 80th Cong.), for a detailed breakdown of all appropriations.
22 Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program; Special Committee to Study Problems of American Small Business; and Special Committee on Reconstruction of Senate Roof and Skylights and Remodeling of Senate Chamber.
23 Special Committee on Reconstruction of House Roof and Skylights and Remodeling of House Chamber; Select Committee to Conduct a Study and Investigation of the Problems of Small Business; Select Committee to Conduct a Study and Investigation of All Matters Related to the Need for Adequate Supplies of Newsprint, Printing and Wrapping Paper, Paper Products, Paper Pulp, and Pulpwood; Select Committee on Foreign Aid; Select Committee to Investigate Transactions on Commodity Exchanges; and Special Committee to Investigate Campaign Expenditures.
24 The Republican leadership announced its policy of definitely delaying action on nominations in anticipation of the election of a Republican president.
25 Public Laws 471, 492, 646, 642, and 662.
26 This was true in case of aid to Greece and Turkey, Voice of America, aid to China, European Recovery Program, $350 millions for foreign relief, and various international agreements.
27 H. Doc. 493.
28 H. Doc. 456.
29 H. Doc. 498.
30 H. Doc. 734.
31 P.L. 834.
32 P.L. 862.
33 P.L. 606.
34 P.L. 472.
35 P.L. 472 and 793.
36 P.L. 712.
37 P.L. 759.
38 P.L. 792.
39 P.L. 905.
40 P.L. 464.
41 P.L. 864.
42 P.L. 897.
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