Changes

The coalition no longer exists, though debatably some moderate-leaning Democrats (such as Senator [[Joe Manchin]] of West Virginia) perpetuate a weaker form of the coalition by occasionally voting with the Republicans and opposing radical legislation. This is currently observed in the [[117th United States Congress]] where Manchin has particularly sided with [[Republicans]] in voicing opposition towards eliminating the filibuster,<ref>Husebo, Wendell (May 12, 2021). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/05/12/joe-manchin-reiterates-opposition-annulling-filibuster-federalizing-elections-after-meeting-president/ Joe Manchin Reiterates Opposition to Annulling Filibuster, Federalizing Elections After Meeting with President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2021.</ref> drawing anger from liberals who advocate for handily ramming far-left legislation through the Senate.

The coalition no longer exists, though debatably some moderate-leaning Democrats (such as Senator [[Joe Manchin]] of West Virginia) perpetuate a weaker form of the coalition by occasionally voting with the Republicans and opposing radical legislation. This is currently observed in the [[117th United States Congress]] where Manchin has particularly sided with [[Republicans]] in voicing opposition towards eliminating the filibuster,<ref>Husebo, Wendell (May 12, 2021). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/05/12/joe-manchin-reiterates-opposition-annulling-filibuster-federalizing-elections-after-meeting-president/ Joe Manchin Reiterates Opposition to Annulling Filibuster, Federalizing Elections After Meeting with President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2021.</ref> drawing anger from liberals who advocate for handily ramming far-left legislation through the Senate.

In its heyday, its most important Republican leader until his death in 1953 was Senator [[Robert A. Taft]] of [[Ohio]]; [[Illinois]] Senator [[Everett Dirksen]] was the key Republican in the 1960s. Four other important Republican figures in the coalition were Sen. [[Arthur H. Vandenberg]] of [[Michigan]], Rep. [[Charles A. Halleck]] of [[Indiana]], Rep. [[Leslie Arends]] of [[Illinois]], and [[Joseph W. Martin, Jr.]] of [[Massachusetts]], though the latter was somewhat more [[moderate]]. The chief Democrats were Senator [[Richard Russell, Jr.]] of [[Georgia]]<ref group=note>While a member of the Coalition, Russell consistently supported notable liberal policies throughout his Senate career.</ref> and Congressmen [[Howard W. Smith]] of [[Virginia]] and [[Carl Vinson]] of Georgia. Sen. [[Harry F. Byrd]] of [[Virginia]] was also a crucial figure in opposing [[New Deal]] programs since the mid-1930s.<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/byrd-harry Byrd, Harry]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref> Dirksen and the Republicans broke with Southern Democrats and provided the [[bipartisan]] votes necessary to insure passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].

In its heyday, its most important Republican leader until his death in 1953 was Senator [[Robert A. Taft]] of [[Ohio]]; [[Illinois]] Senator [[Everett Dirksen]] was the key Republican in the 1960s. Four other important Republican figures in the coalition were Sen. [[Arthur H. Vandenberg]] of [[Michigan]], Rep. [[Charles A. Halleck]] of [[Indiana]], Rep. [[Leslie Arends]] of [[Illinois]], and [[Joseph W. Martin, Jr.]] of [[Massachusetts]], though the latter was somewhat more [[moderate]]. The chief Democrats were Senator [[Richard Russell, Jr.]] of [[Georgia]],<ref group=note>While a member of the Coalition, Russell consistently supported notable liberal policies throughout his Senate career.</ref> Rep. [[Howard W. Smith]] of [[Virginia]], and Rep. [[Carl Vinson]] of Georgia. Sen. [[Harry F. Byrd]] of [[Virginia]] was also a crucial figure in opposing [[New Deal]] programs since the mid-1930s.<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/byrd-harry Byrd, Harry]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved April 21, 2021.</ref> Dirksen and the Republicans broke with Southern Democrats and provided the [[bipartisan]] votes necessary to insure passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].

Between 1939 and 1963, the coalition was able to exercise virtual veto power over domestic legislation, and no major liberal legislation was passed during this entire near quarter century. [[Harry Truman]] won reelection in 1948 and carried a majority-Democrat Congress, but the only portion of his Fair Deal program that passed was cosponsored by Taft. Under [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1963–65, liberals broke the power of the coalition by passing the Civil Rights Act, which was assisted by a newly elected liberal Congress in 1964. Congress passed the liberal [[Great Society]] programs over the opposition of the Southern Democrat members of the coalition. However, the coalition regained strength in the 1966 elections in the face of massive rioting in the cities and the tearing apart of the Democratic [[New Deal coalition]] over issues of black power, liberalism, student radicalism and the [[Vietnam War]].

Between 1939 and 1963, the coalition was able to exercise virtual veto power over domestic legislation, and no major liberal legislation was passed during this entire near quarter century. [[Harry Truman]] won reelection in 1948 and carried a majority-Democrat Congress, but the only portion of his Fair Deal program that passed was cosponsored by Taft. Under [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1963–65, liberals broke the power of the coalition by passing the Civil Rights Act, which was assisted by a newly elected liberal Congress in 1964. Congress passed the liberal [[Great Society]] programs over the opposition of the Southern Democrat members of the coalition. However, the coalition regained strength in the 1966 elections in the face of massive rioting in the cities and the tearing apart of the Democratic [[New Deal coalition]] over issues of black power, liberalism, student radicalism and the [[Vietnam War]].