Congressional history

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• 11/3/19
  

  Congressional Courage, the D.C. Slave Trade, and Moral Politics in Washington

  by Jeff Forret

  Political cynics may argue that moral bankruptcy is a long-time fixture in Washington, but at a crucial moment of national division, congressional leadership confronted the ethical embarrassment of the D.C. slave trade and eradicated it.

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• SOURCE: NY Times
  9/7/19
  

  How Congress Passed an Assault Weapons Ban in 1994

  With Congress prepared to again clash over gun safety, in the aftermath of a murderous August, the circuitous route to passage taken by the assault weapons ban 25 years ago illustrates just how perfectly the legislative stars must align for contentious gun measures to become law. 

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• SOURCE: History Channel
  July 24, 2019
  

  Violence in Congress Before the Civil War: From Canings and Stabbings to Murder

  19th century congressman went to work carrying pistols and bowie knives—and sometimes used them on colleagues.

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• 2/27/19
  

  What FDR Can Teach Us About Congress and National Emergencies

  by Martin Halpern

  Seventy-five years ago this week, there was a serious conflict between President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress.

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• SOURCE: Mother Jones
  1/4/19
  

  If You Think Congress Is Bad Now, You Should Hear About What Happened in 1838

  A new book explores congressional violence in the decades leading up to the Civil War

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• SOURCE: Washington Post
  1/3/19
  

  A 400-pound gavel? The story of a symbol of congressional power and its heavy-handed abusers.

  After Nancy Pelosi was elected House speaker Thursday, she was given a wooden mallet with a colorful history of being shattered.