Changes

After taking office, Truman wanted to build on the [[New Deal]], announcing a full employment program, a higher [[minimum wage]], a larger [[Social Security]] System, and a national health insurance system. The nation was divided over continued government intervention in the [[economy]]. High inflation and lack of consumer goods like bread, meat, and housing resulted in economic anxiety. Republicans blamed Truman for the country’s problems, and ran on the slogan "Had Enough? Vote Republican."

After taking office, Truman wanted to build on the [[New Deal]], announcing a full employment program, a higher [[minimum wage]], a larger [[Social Security]] System, and a national health insurance system. The nation was divided over continued government intervention in the [[economy]]. High inflation and lack of consumer goods like bread, meat, and housing resulted in economic anxiety. Republicans blamed Truman for the country’s problems, and ran on the slogan "Had Enough? Vote Republican."

Republicans swept into power and put them in a position to thwart the Truman Administration's programs. [[Thomas Dewey]] was handedly reelected Governor of [[New York]], and become the Republican nominee for President in 1948. Truman's reelection chances looked bleak. A public opinion poll taken in December 1946 revealed that only 35 percent of those surveyed supported his handling of the presidency. However, Truman pulled a major political upset, winning reelection attacking the "do nothing Republican Congress."  

Republicans swept into power and put them in a position to thwart the Truman Administration's programs. [[Thomas Dewey]] was handedly reelected Governor of [[New York]], and become the Republican nominee for President in 1948. Truman's reelection chances looked bleak. A public opinion poll taken in December 1946 revealed that only 35 percent of those surveyed supported his handling of the presidency. However, Truman pulled a major political upset, winning reelection by attacking the "do nothing Republican Congress."  

In reality, the 80th Congress was not a do-nothing Congress at all. They left behind a strong legislative legacy, including passing the [[22nd Amendment]] (limiting the president to two terms), creating [[right to work]] laws, establishing the [[U.S. Air Force]], the [[Department of Defense]], the [[National Security Council]], the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]; and approved the [[Marshall Plan]] and aid to [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], starting the policy of containment during the [[Cold War]].

In reality, the 80th Congress was anything but a "do-nothing Congress." They left behind a strong legislative legacy, including passing the [[22nd Amendment]] (limiting the president to two terms), putting restrictions on labor unions, passing a major tax cut, establishing the [[U.S. Air Force]], the [[Department of Defense]], the [[National Security Council]], the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]; and approved the [[Marshall Plan]] and aid to [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], starting the policy of containment during the [[Cold War]].

   

   

This was one of just two separate occasions that Republicans controlled Congress in a period from 1931 until 1995.

This was one of just two separate occasions that Republicans controlled Congress in a period from 1931 until 1995.