I first learned about Sam Rayburn in Robert Caro's biography on Lyndon Johnson (I've just started book 2 of the planned 5 volume series). From what I gathered, he was an extremely powerful political figure whose presence struck fear and reverence to many other politicians. He was the protege of former Vice President (under FDR's first two terms) and powerful Texas politician "Cactus Jack" John Nance Garner. His own protege, Lyndon Johnson, would eventually become Vice President and then President of the United States.
More about Sam Rayburn: he served as a Texas congressman from 1913 to 1961. This means he was an elected official in the United States from Woodrow Wilson's first administration to the beginning of John F. Kennedy's administration. He was in office through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War era. In addition, Rayburn served as Speaker of the House from: 1940 to 1947, 1949 to 1953, and 1955 to 1961. FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy all were in office during Rayburn's tenure as Speaker. That is A LOT of history. This photo of 4 former United States' Presidents attending Rayburn's funeral has always been very powerful to me. Rayburn was clearly an important and influential political figure during much of the 20th century in the United States. I believe it could be argued (or perhaps even a fact) that Rayburn was the second most powerful American for the better part of a 20-year period.
How did Rayburn use this power? What key policies did he push through or reject? What is his lasting impact on American history? How did his tenure shape the United States' political atmosphere as we know it today?
Sam Rayburn was instrumental in crafting & manipulating the legislation that passed through the house during his 21 years as Democratic leader. Rayburn notably refused to sign the segregationist “Southern Manifesto” & he shepherded the 1957 Civil Rights Bill through congress. He led efforts to pass the Lend-Lease Act aiding the allies during WWII in 1941 soon after he became majority leader, he also helped secure funds for the Manhattan Project.
From the Marshall Plan, to Truman’s Fair Deal he was instrumental in the Truman Administration, but perhaps in his involvement in the Cold War is his most notable Truman era contribution. Rayburn’s influence as Speaker helped keep congresspeople loyal to Truman’s foreign policy decisions abroad, specifically the Korean War. As Minority Leader during the first two years of the Eisenhower Administration he helped pass the Communist Control Act of 1954, but it is his final 6 year tenure as Speaker following the 1954 midterms that makes him among the most important speakers in history.
Rayburn’s senate equivalent was fellow Texan Lyndon Johnson, & the two controlled congress & helped pass many, many important pieces of legislation throughout the twilight of the Eisenhower Administration. The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 creating the Interstate System(he coined the term “Sun Belt”), the National Aeronautics and Space Act creating NASA, the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 creating the FAA, all of these examples of legislation we now take for granted bear Rayburn’s signature.
As I mentioned above, Rayburn refused to sign the Southern Manifesto & was instrumental, along with LBJ, in passing the 1957 & 1960 Civil Rights Acts. Rayburn reportedly desired to pass kore civil rights acts but was at odds with the segregationist southern dominated House Rules Committee, & Rayburn then proceeded to add three new spots to the House Rules Committee in a 217-212 vote. Hawaiian & Alaskan statehood was supported and led through the house by Rayburn. Rayburn, a fellow Texan and party leader, also served as a mentor to Lyndon Johnson.
To conclude, Rayburn helped pass many of the reforms credited to the Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Truman, & Kennedy administrations while also altering the power of the position of Speaker more so than anyone except for the notorious Joseph Cannon.
This - and it’s comments - have been an incredible bit of history that I would have otherwise not known fully. I’ve heard of these things but never have I seen them tied together so truthfully.
This is what I come to this sub for. Thank you all.