1935-04-06
Congress Profiles
74th Congress (1935–1937)
Congressional Profile
Total Membership:
- 435 Representatives
- 2 Delegates
- 3 Resident Commissioners
Party Divisions:*
- 322 Democrats
- 103 Republicans
- 7 Progressives
- 3 Farmer-Labor
*Party division totals are based on election day results.
- Election Statistics, 1934 [PDF]
About this object Speaker Joseph Byrns of Tennessee died three quarters of the way through his one term as Speaker.
Congress Overview
Democrats’ large congressional majorities grew after the 1934 elections in a potent endorsement of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal.” The 74th Congress (1935–1937) addressed the long-term social safety-net as the Great Depression persisted. The Supreme Court found many of FDR’s programs unconstitutional, but congressional Democrats continued passing reform legislation. Congress encouraged collective bargaining, created Social Security, regulated public utilities, and provided for rural electrification. Congress also passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited arms exportation during wartime, in response to charges that weapons manufacturers were responsible for World War I.
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 74th 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:
-
Joseph W. Byrns (D–Tennessee) 1
William B. Bankhead (D–Alabama)
- Majority Leader:
-
William B. Bankhead (D–Alabama) 2
- Minority Leader:
-
Bertrand H. Snell (R–New York)
- Democratic Whip:
-
Patrick J. Boland (D–Pennsylvania)
- Republican Whip:
-
Harry L. Englebright (R–California)
- Democratic Caucus Chairman:
-
Edward T. Taylor (D–Colorado)
- Republican Conference Chairman:
-
Frederick R. Lehlbach (R–New Jersey)
- Clerk of the House:
-
South Trimble
- Sergeant at Arms:
-
Kenneth Romney
- Chaplain of the House:
-
James Shera Montgomery – Methodist
- Doorkeeper:
-
Joseph J. Sinnott
- Postmaster:
-
Finis E. Scott
- 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 74th Congress, 1st Session
- Congressional Record for the 74th Congress, 2nd Session
- House Calendar
- House Calendar [PDF]
Related House Records
March 5, 1935
Related Historical Highlights
April 27, 1935
August 14, 1935
January 03, 1936
Footnotes
1Died in office June 4, 1936.
2Elected Speaker on June 4, 1936, filling the vacancy caused by the death of Speaker Joseph Byrns. Records indicate that Representative John J. O’Connor of New York, chairman of the House Rules Committee, served as acting Majority Leader during the 14 remaining days of the 74th Congress. O’Connor does not, however, appear to have been formally elected Majority Leader at that time and, therefore, is not included in this list. At the commencement of the 75th Congress, Representatives Samuel (Sam) Rayburn, James O’Connor, John Rankin, and others competed for the post of Majority Leader. Representative Rayburn ultimately was elected by the Democratic Caucus.
- For information on the current Congress, please visit the Office of the Clerk’s website.