The Sixty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1911 to March 4, 1913, during the third and fourth years of William H. Taft's presidency.
The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the Twelfth Census of the United States in 1900. Additional House seats were assigned to the two new states of New Mexico and Arizona. The size of the House was to be 435 starting with the new Congress coming into session in 1913. The Senate had a Republican majority, and the House had a Democratic majority.
April 27, 1911: Following the resignation and death of William P. Frye, a compromise is reached to rotate the office of President pro tempore of the United States Senate.April 30, 1911: Great Fire of 1911May 15, 1911: The Supreme Court declared Standard Oil to be an "unreasonable" monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and ordered the company to be dissolved.April 15, 1912: The RMS Titanic sank.June 5, 1912: U.S. Marines landed in Cuba.June 18, 1912: The Republican National Convention nominated incumbent President William Taft in Chicago, defeating a challenge by former President Theodore Roosevelt, whose delegates bolted the convention.June 25, 1912: The Democratic National Convention nominated New Jersey Gov. Woodrow Wilson in Baltimore.August 5, 1912: Dissident Republicans formed the Progressive or Bull Moose Party, and nominated former President Theodore Roosevelt as their presidential candidate.October 30, 1912: Vice President James S. Sherman died.November 5, 1912: U.S. presidential election, 1912: Woodrow Wilson (D) beat incumbent William Howard Taft (R) and Theodore Roosevelt (P).August 8, 1911: Public Law 62-5, Pub.L. 62–5 (set House of Representatives size at 435 members)August 24, 1912: Lloyd–La Follette Act, ch. 389, §6, 37 Stat. 539February 13, 1913: Carlin ActMarch 1, 1913: Webb–Kenyon ActMarch 1, 1913: Railway Evaluation ActMarch 3, 1913: Publicity In Taking Evidence ActMarch 3, 1913: Virus-Serum-Toxin ActMarch 3, 1913: Gould AmendmentMarch 4, 1913: Arlington Memorial Amphitheater ActMarch 4, 1913: Road and Trails Fund ActMarch 4, 1913: Burnett ActMarch 4, 1913: Weeks–McLean ActMarch 4, 1913: Federal Revenue Sharing ActMarch 4, 1913: Rivers and Harbors Act of 1913March 4, 1913: Burnt Timber ActMarch 4, 1913: Labor Department Act, 37 Stat. 736May 13, 1912: 17th Amendment passed Congress and sent to the states for ratification. It would create a popularly elected U.S. Senate instead of the original process of appointment by state legislatures.February 3, 1913: 16th Amendment was ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect income taxes.States admitted and territories created
January 6, 1912: New Mexico admitted to the Union.February 14, 1912: Arizona admitted to the UnionAugust 24, 1912: Alaska Territory created.Democratic (D): 230 (majority)Republican (R): 162Socialist (S): 1Independent (I): 1TOTAL members: 394
President: James S. Sherman, until October 30, 1912; thereafter vacantPresidents pro tempore: William P. Frye (R), until April 27, 1911.For the remainder of this Congress, the office rotated among five Senators. The Senate at that time was split between progressive Republicans, conservative Republicans, and Democrats. Each put forth a candidate, and the ballots were deadlocked until August 1911 when a compromise was reached. Democrat Augustus Bacon served for one day on August 14, 1911, and thereafter he and four Republicans rotated holding the seat for the remainder of the Congress. These Republicans were: Charles Curtis, Jacob H. Gallinger, Frank B. Brandegee, and Henry Cabot Lodge.Republican Conference Chairman: Shelby Moore CullomDemocratic Caucus Chair: Thomas S. MartinRepublican Conference Secretary: Charles CurtisDemocratic Caucus Secretary: William E. ChiltonSpeaker: Champ Clark (D)Majority Leader: Oscar UnderwoodMajority Whip: vacantDemocratic Caucus Chairman: Albert S. BurlesonDemocratic Campaign Committee Chairman: James Tilghman LloydMinority Leader: James R. MannMinority Whip: John W. DwightRepublican Conference Chair: Frank Dunklee CurrierSkip to House of Representatives, belowAt this time, most Senators were elected by the state legislatures every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress. A few senators were elected directly by the residents of the state. Preceding the names in the list below are Senate class numbers, which indicate the cycle of their election.
The names of members of the House of Representatives are preceded by their district numbers.
There were 20 changes: 6 deaths, 2 resignations, 1 invalidated election, 6 appointees replaced by electees, 4 seats added from new states, and 1 seat vacant from the previous Congress. Democrats had a 4-seat net gain, and no other parties had a net change.
Sorted Chronologically by date of vacancy
House vacancies are only filled by elections. State laws regulate when (and if) there will be special elections.
Lists of committees and their party leaders.
Additional Accommodations for the Library of Congress (Select)Agriculture and ForestryAppropriationsAudit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the SenateCanadian RelationsCensusCivil Service and RetrenchmentClaimsCoast and Insular SurveyCoast DefensesCommerceConservation of National ResourcesCorporations Organized in the District of ColumbiaCuban RelationsDisposition of Useless Papers in the Executive DepartmentsDistributing Public Revenue Among the States (Select)District of ColumbiaEducation and LaborElection of William Lorimer (Select)Engrossed BillsEnrolled BillsEstablish a University in the United States (Select)Examine the Several Branches in the Civil ServiceExpenditures in the Department of AgricultureExpenditures in the Department of Commerce and LaborExpenditures in the Interior DepartmentExpenditures in the Department of JusticeExpenditures in the Navy DepartmentExpenditures in the Post Office DepartmentExpenditures in the Department of StateExpenditures in the Treasury DepartmentExpenditures in the War DepartmentFinanceFisheriesFive Civilized Tribes of IndiansForeign RelationsForest Reservations and the Protection of GameGeological SurveyImmigrationImmigration and NaturalizationImpeachment of Robert H. Archibald (Select)Indian AffairsIndustrial ExpositionsInteroceanic CanalsInterstate CommerceIrrigation and ReclamationJudiciaryLibraryManufacturesMilitary AffairsMines and MiningMississippi River and its Tributaries (Select)National BanksNaval AffairsPacific Islands and Puerto RicoPacific RailroadsPatentsPensionsPhilippinesPost Office and Post RoadsPrintingPrivate Land ClaimsPrivileges and ElectionsPublic Buildings and GroundsPublic Health and National QuarantinePublic LandsRailroadsRevision of the LawsRevolutionary ClaimsRulesStandards, Weights and MeasuresTariff Regulation (Select)TerritoriesThird Degree OrdealTransportation and Sale of Meat Products (Select)Transportation Routes to the SeaboardTrespassers upon Indian Lands (Select)WholeWoman SuffrageAccountsAgricultureAlcoholic Liquor TrafficAppropriationsAmerican Sugar Refining Company (Special)Banking and CurrencyCensusClaimsCoinage, Weights and MeasuresDisposition of Executive PapersDistrict of ColumbiaEducationElection of the President, Vice President and Representatives in CongressElectionsEnrolled BillsExpenditures in the Agriculture DepartmentExpenditures in the Commerce and Labor DepartmentsExpenditures in the Interior DepartmentExpenditures in the Justice DepartmentExpenditures in the Navy DepartmentExpenditures in the Post Office DepartmentExpenditures in the State DepartmentExpenditures in the Treasury DepartmentExpenditures in the War DepartmentExpenditures on Public BuildingsForeign AffairsImmigration and NaturalizationIndian AffairsIndustrial Arts and ExpositionsInsular AffairsInterstate and Foreign CommerceInvalid PensionsIrrigation of Arid LandsLaborLevees and Improvements of the Mississippi RiverMerchant Marine and FisheriesMileageMilitary AffairsMines and MiningNaval AffairsPatentsPensionsPost Office and Post RoadsPublic Buildings and GroundsPublic LandsRailways and CanalsReform in the Civil ServiceRevision of LawsRivers and HarborsRulesStandards of Official ConductTerritoriesWar ClaimsWays and MeansWholeConditions of Indian Tribes (Special)Disposition of (Useless) Executive PapersFederal Aid in Construction of Post RoadsInvestigations of Conditions in AlaskaInvestigate the General Parcel PostPostage on 2nd Class Mail Matter and Compensation for Transportation of MailSecond Class Mail Matter and Compensation for Rail Mail ServiceArchitect of the Capitol: Elliott WoodsLibrarian of Congress: Herbert PutnamPublic Printer of the United States: Samuel B. DonnellyChaplain: Ulysses G.B. Pierce, UnitarianSecretary: Charles G. Bennett of New YorkSergeant at Arms:Daniel M. Ransdell of IndianaE. Livingston Cornelius of Maryland, elected December 10, 1912Clerk: South Trimble of KentuckyChaplain: Henry N. Couden, UniversalistClerk at the Speaker’s Table: Charles R. CrispDoorkeeper: Joseph J. Sinnott of VirginiaPostmaster: William M. Dunbar of GeorgiaSergeant at Arms:W. Stokes Jackson of Indiana, died June 1912.Charles F. Riddell of Indiana, elected July 18, 1912. 
