Norris, George W. (1861–1944)

• Author: Dennis J. Mahoney
• Pages: 1825

Page 1825

George William Norris, a progressive Republican from Nebraska, served in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from 1903 to 1913. He led the revolt against Speaker Joseph Cannon that, in 1910, broke the power of the speaker to control virtually all legislation in the house. As a United States senator (1913?1943) Norris was the author of the TWENTIETH AMENDMENT, which ended the "lame duck" sessions of Congress, and co-author of the NORRIS-LAGUARDIA ACT (1932), which outlawed YELLOW DOG CONTRACTS and restricted use of federal court INJUNCTIONS against labor strikes, and of the TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ACT (1933). Norris supported most of President FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT'S " NEW DEAL " and criticized Supreme Court decisions that held such legislation unconstitutional. Although he favored a constitutional amendment to restrict national JUDICIAL REVIEW, he opposed Roosevelt's plan to pack the Court with pro-administration justices.

DENNIS J. MAHONEY

(1986)

Bibliography

LOWITT, RICHARD 1963?1978 George W. Norris. 3 Vols. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press; Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Press.