Override of the Veto

The Volstead Act, formally known as the National Prohibition Act, was significant legislation that set the stage for the Prohibition era in the United States. The legislation was passed to provide for the enforcement of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. When the Act reached the desk of President Woodrow Wilson, he chose to veto it. However, his veto was quickly overridden by Congress. This report will examine the circumstances, motivations, and implications of the Congressional override of President Wilson’s veto.

Named after Representative Andrew Volstead, the act defined intoxicating liquors and laid out penalties for violations of the 18th Amendment. While the amendment made the sale and transport of alcohol illegal, it did not provide specific means or structures to enforce this mandate, hence the need for supplementary legislation.

President Woodrow Wilson, in vetoing the Volstead Act, raised concerns about certain provisions in the bill, particularly around the defined limits of alcoholic content in beverages (0.5% by volume). However, Wilson’s veto was not necessarily based on a personal opposition to Prohibition itself but rather to the specific enforcement mechanisms and definitions within the Volstead Act.

Both the House and Senate displayed strong support for the Act, with many members influenced by the powerful temperance movement, particularly the Anti-Saloon League. Their influence ensured widespread legislative backing for the Volstead Act.

1. House of Representatives: The House responded to Wilson’s veto by overwhelmingly voting to override it on the same day, October 27, 1919, with a vote of 176 to 55.

2. Senate: The Senate followed suit the following day, voting 65 to 20 in favor of the override.

This strong bipartisan response from Congress showed the overwhelming support for Prohibition in the legislative branch, which was partly a reflection of the temperance sentiment dominating American politics at the time.

1. Beginning of Prohibition: The Volstead Act’s enactment marked the start of the Prohibition era (1920-1933), a 13-year period where alcoholic beverages were illegal in the U.S.

2. Rise of Bootlegging and Organized Crime: While Prohibition was intended to curtail the negative effects of alcohol, it inadvertently led to the rise of organized crime. Bootleggers and mobsters, like Al Capone, profited immensely from the illegal alcohol trade.

3. Economic and Social Impact: The economy suffered from the loss of tax revenue from the alcohol industry, and unemployment rose in sectors related to the alcohol industry. The social fabric was tested as violations of the Prohibition laws became widespread.

4. End of Prohibition: The issues stemming from Prohibition eventually culminated in its repeal by the 21st Amendment in 1933. The inability to effectively enforce the Volstead Act and the unintended negative consequences it caused played significant roles in this reversal.

The Congressional override of President Wilson’s veto of the Volstead Act was a definitive moment in U.S. legislative history. It marked the beginning of one of the most contentious eras in American social and political life. While the motives behind Prohibition were rooted in addressing the societal issues caused by excessive alcohol consumption, the legislation ultimately led to a series of unintended and largely negative consequences. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the unforeseen consequences that can arise from well-intentioned legislation.