Record of the 81st Congress (Second Session)

Report Outline
Note
Major Legislative Action by 81th Congress
Government Finances
Foreign Relations
National Defense and Internal Security
Extension of Selective Service; Draft of Doctors
Industrial Mobilization: Economic Controls
Farm Price Supports and Controls
Labor Legislation
Social Welfare Legislation
Racial Legislation
Machinery of Government
Congressional Action After 1950 Election
Emergency Revenue for National Defense
Measures to Strengthen National Security
Domestic Controls; Miscellaneous Action
Special Focus

Note

Outstanding roll calls in the Senate and House during the 1950 session are given in full in a separate section of this Report with the title “Record Votes in the 81st Congress, Second Session.” Summary tables of the second section show the party alignments in all important roll calls.

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Major Legislative Action by 81th Congress

Powers to organize the national economy for full-scale war, corresponding to those exercised by President Roosevelt during World War II, were conferred upon President Truman by the 81st Congress after American intervention in Korea in mid-1950. The Selective Service Act was extended at the onset of the Korean crisis and all limits on enlisted strength of the armed services were removed. Military appropriations were largely increased thereafter to equip the fighting forces of the United States and its allies for effective resistance to any further acts of Communist aggression.

The President was given authority to establish priorities, allocate materials, requisition equipment, and take other action to expand the production of war supplies. In addition, he received unasked authority to institute wage, price and rationing controls at his discretion. Wartime controls over consumer credit were reestablished and new powers were granted to curb real estate speculation. Legislation to reduce excise taxes was dropped after the outbreak of war in Korea. An interim revenue act, adopted just before Congress recessed for the election in September, is estimated to yield $4.5 billion during the fiscal year 1951. An excess-profits tax act, sent to the President just before the 81st Congress expired, will add $3.3 billion to $5 billion to the government's annual revenues, the exact amount depending upon the future course of corporation earnings.