The 68th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C., from March 4, 1923, to March 4, 1925, during the last months of Warren G. Harding's presidency, and the first years of the administration of his successor, Calvin Coolidge. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1910 United States census.
Both chambers maintained a Republican majority—albeit greatly reduced from the previous Congress and with losing supermajority status in the House—and along with President Harding, the Republicans maintained an overall federal government trifecta.
Major events
August 2, 1923: President Warren G. Harding dies, and Vice President Calvin Coolidge becomes President of the United States December 3–5, 1923: The election for the House speakership takes 9 ballots
Major legislation
April 26, 1924: Seed and Feed Loan Act
May 19, 1924: World War Adjusted Compensation Act (Bonus Bill), Sess. 1, ch. 157, May 24, 1924: Rogers Act May 26, 1924: Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson–Reed Act), Sess. 1, ch. 190, May 29, 1924: Indian Oil Leasing Act of 1924 (Lenroot Act) June 2, 1924: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (Snyder Act), Sess. 1, ch. 233, June 2, 1924: Revenue Act of 1924 (Simmons–Longworth Act), Sess. 1, ch. 234, June 3, 1924: Inland Waterways Act of 1924 (Denison Act) June 7, 1924: Pueblo Lands Act of 1924 June 7, 1924: Oil Pollution Act of 1924, , ch. 316, June 7, 1924: Clarke–McNary Act, Sess. 1, ch. 348, January 30, 1925: Hoch–Smith Resolution January 31, 1925: Special Duties Act February 2, 1925: Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act) February 12, 1925: Federal Arbitration Act February 16, 1925: Home Port Act of 1925 February 24, 1925: Purnell Act February 27, 1925: Temple Act February 28, 1925: Classification Act of 1925 February 28, 1925: Federal Corrupt Practices Act (Gerry Act) March 2, 1925: Judiciary Act of 1925 March 3, 1925: River and Harbors Act of 1925 March 3, 1925: Helium Act of 1925 March 4, 1925: Establishment of the United States Navy Band March 4, 1925: Probation Act of 1925
Constitutional amendments
June 2, 1924: Approved an amendment to the United States Constitution that would specifically authorize Congress to regulate "labor of persons under eighteen years of age", and submitted it to the state legislatures for ratification This amendment, commonly known as the Child Labor Amendment, has not been ratified and is still pending before the states.
Party summary
The count below identifies party affiliations at the beginning of the first session of this Congress, and includes members from vacancies and newly admitted states, when they were first seated. Changes resulting from subsequent replacements are shown below.
Senate
House of Representatives
Leadership
Senate
President: Calvin Coolidge (R), until August 3, 1923; vacant thereafter. President pro tempore: Albert B. Cummins (R)
Majority (Republican) leadership
Majority leader: Charles Curtis
Majority whip: Wesley L. Jones
Republican Conference Secretary: James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. National Senatorial Committee Chair: George H. Moses
Minority (Democratic) leadership
Minority leader: Joseph T. Robinson
Minority whip: Peter G. Gerry
Democratic Caucus Secretary: William H. King
House of Representatives
Speaker: Frederick H. Gillett (R) elected December 5, 1923, after 9 rounds of balloting
Majority (Republican) leadership
Majority leader: Nicholas Longworth
Majority Whip: Albert H. Vestal
Republican Conference Chairman: Sydney Anderson
Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: William R. Wood
Minority (Democratic) leadership
Minority Leader: Finis J. Garrett
Minority Whip: William Allan Oldfield
Democratic Caucus Chairman: Henry Thomas Rainey
Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Arthur B. Rouse
Members
This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district.