January 1, 1930
Congress Profiles
71st Congress (1929–1931)
Congressional Profile
Total Membership:
- 435 Representatives
- 2 Delegates
- 3 Resident Commissioners
Party Divisions:*
- 164 Democrats
- 270 Republicans
- 1 Farmer-Labor
*Party division totals are based on election day results.
- Election Statistics, 1928 [PDF]
About this object Speaker of the House Nicholas Longworth of Ohio wielded the gavel for six years.
Congress Overview
The 71st Congress (1929–1931) confronted the worst economy in American history. During a special session called by the new President Herbert Hoover, the Republican-controlled Congress responded to the long-term agricultural recession with the Agricultural Marketing Act. Congress enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff after the October 1929 stock market crash. The tariff raised the prices of imported goods and further exacerbated a worldwide economic downturn as international trade collapsed. Congress also established the Veterans’ Administration as an independent agency and adopted Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem.
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 71st Congress. [PDF]
- Learn more about the House of Representatives with an interactive map
Learn more about the People of the People's House
Leadership & Officers
- Speaker of the House:
-
Nicholas Longworth (R–Ohio)
- Majority Leader:
-
John Q. Tilson (R–Connecticut)
- Minority Leader:
-
John N. Garner (D–Texas)
- Democratic Whip:
-
John McDuffie (D–Alabama)
- Republican Whip:
-
Albert H. Vestal (R–Indiana)
- Democratic Caucus Chairman:
-
David H. Kincheloe (D–Kentucky) 1
- Republican Conference Chairman:
-
Willis C. Hawley (R–Oregon)
- Clerk of the House:
-
William Tyler Page
- Sergeant at Arms:
-
Joseph G. Rogers
- Chaplain of the House:
-
James Shera Montgomery – Methodist
- Doorkeeper:
-
Bert W. Kennedy
- Postmaster:
-
Frank W. Collier
- Parliamentarian:
-
Lewis Deschler
To view complete lists of individuals who have served in these leadership and official positions since the 1st Congress, visit the People section
Legislative Activities
- Congressional Record (govinfo.gov)
- Congressional Record for the 71st Congress, 1st Session
- Congressional Record for the 71st Congress, 1st Session
- Congressional Record for the 71st Congress, 2nd Session
- House Calendar [PDF]
- House Calendar
Related House Records
August 31, 1931
December 8, 1930
Related Historical Highlights
April 15, 1929
June 11, 1929
October 07, 1929
Footnotes
1Resigned from the House, October 5, 1930; there is no record of an election to fill the vacancy as caucus chair.
- For information on the current Congress, please visit the Office of the Clerk’s website.