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The Senate and the Second World War: | |
Introduction | America Goes to War | Senate Goes to War | War Comes to Washington | Victory |
On December 8, 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
President Franklin Roosevelt addressed a joint session of the United States
Congress. As somber and grieving senators and representatives listened, the
president asked for a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan."I
believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I
assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will
make very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger
us."
Over the next four crisis-filled years, the United States Senate
remained in session almost continuously to debate and enact
legislation to provide wartime funding, to extend the military
draft, and to create programs to stabilize the economy. Senate
committees conducted investigations that minimized waste and
corruption among military contractors, saving taxpayer money and
enhancing the nation’s efforts to achieve victory. Senators
visited combat zones to examine the effectiveness of military operations and to show their support for American
troops. Some members left their legislative responsibilities to
serve in the armed forces. As war came to a close, senators
debated American participation in an international peacekeeping
body and voted for a “G.I. Bill of Rights” to provide
financial assistance to returning veterans.
As the wartime experience transformed Washington, D.C. into a busy center for international politics and diplomacy, the majestic dome of the United States Capitol offered a fitting backdrop for countless patriotic activities.
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