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56th Congress (1899–1901)

Congressional Profile

Total Membership:

357 Representatives
4 Delegates

Party Divisions:^*

161 Democrats
187 Republicans
5 Populists
2 Silver Republicans
1 Independent Populist
1 Silver

^*Party division totals are based on election day results.

/tiles/non-collection/s/speaker_Henderson_2005_16_34_1.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object David Henderson of Iowa served two terms as Speaker before retiring from the House.

Congress Overview

The 1898 elections undercut the Republican majority in the House but bolstered it in the Senate. The 56th Congress (1899–1901) dealt primarily with the consequences of the Spanish-American War. Congress formed civil governments in the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. It created the Office of the Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico. Congress also provided a civil government and nonvoting Delegate for Hawaii, where it extended U.S. citizenship to the islands’ inhabitants as well.

Member Information

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, (1774–2005), Official Annotated Membership Roster by State with Vacancy and Special Election Information for the 56th Congress. [PDF]
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