Changes

Robinson became Senate Majority Leader by a unanimous vote in 1933 when the Democrats gained a large majority. He was the first Democrat to serve as the formally designated Majority Leader. He took his duties seriously, having refused to delegate his numerous responsibilities to other senators.<ref name=senate/> Some Senators resented his autocratic style. In debate he often grew red in the face, pounded his desk, and stomped his feet.<ref>Donald C. Bacon, "Joseph Taylor Robinson, The Good Soldier," in ''First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate leaders of the 20th century,'' Congressional Quarterly, Inc., p. 64.</ref>

Robinson became Senate Majority Leader by a unanimous vote in 1933 when the Democrats gained a large majority. He was the first Democrat to serve as the formally designated Majority Leader. He took his duties seriously, having refused to delegate his numerous responsibilities to other senators.<ref name=senate/> Some Senators resented his autocratic style. In debate he often grew red in the face, pounded his desk, and stomped his feet.<ref>Donald C. Bacon, "Joseph Taylor Robinson, The Good Soldier," in ''First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate leaders of the 20th century,'' Congressional Quarterly, Inc., p. 64.</ref>

In 1935, liberal Democrat senators Edward P. Costigan of [[Colorado]] and Robert F. Wagner of [[New York]], being part of the minority faction of the congressional [[New Deal Coalition]] which supported [[civil rights]], introduced the Costigan-Wagner [[anti-lynching bill]].<ref>Simkin, John. [https://spartacus-educational.com/USAcostiganwagner.htm Costigan-Wagner Act]. ''Spartacus Educational''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> When the Senate was deadlocked over the bill as Southern Democrats fought tooth and nail to defeat it, a motion was made to adjourn, which Robinson joined fellow racist Southerners and some Northern Democrats in voting for.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/74-1/s53 TO ADJOURN. THE PENDING BUSINESS IS S. 24, A BILL TO PREVENT LYNCHING, ON WHICH THE SENATE WAS DEADLOCKED.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref>

In 1935, liberal Democrat senators Edward P. Costigan of [[Colorado]] and Robert F. Wagner of [[New York]], being part of the minority faction of the congressional [[New Deal Coalition]] which supported [[civil rights]], introduced an [[anti-lynching bill]], the [[Costigan–Wagner Act]].<ref>Simkin, John. [https://spartacus-educational.com/USAcostiganwagner.htm Costigan-Wagner Act]. ''Spartacus Educational''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> When the Senate was deadlocked over the bill as Southern Democrats fought tooth and nail to defeat it, a motion was made to adjourn, which Robinson joined fellow racist Southerners and some Northern Democrats in voting for.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/74-1/s53 TO ADJOURN. THE PENDING BUSINESS IS S. 24, A BILL TO PREVENT LYNCHING, ON WHICH THE SENATE WAS DEADLOCKED.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref>

The Costigan-Wagner Act was ultimately defeated, and later anti-lynching legislation such as the Gavagan-Wagner Act and Gavagan-[[Hamilton Fish, III|Fish]] Act also proved unable to pass the U.S. Senate due to filibusters by the Southern bloc.

The Costigan-Wagner Act was ultimately defeated, and later anti-lynching legislation such as the Gavagan-Wagner Act and Gavagan-[[Hamilton Fish, III|Fish]] Act also proved unable to pass the U.S. Senate due to filibusters by the Southern bloc.