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House Finally Approves $250,000 for Fepc; Senate Urged to Increase Appropriation

July 13, 1945
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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A compromise measure guaranteeing the existence of the Fair Employment Practice Commission for another year, but sharply curtailing its activities was adopted today by the House of Representatives. The House passed an amendment to the War Agencies Appropriation Bill granting the FEPC $250,000 which is half of the amount requested for the agency by President Truman.

As a result of parliamentary maneuvering by opponents and supporters of the FEPC, the amendment contains a clause – put in by Southern Congressmen – specifying that the $250,000 is to be used for the liquidation of the agency, and another clause inserted by supporters of the measure – allowing the funds to be used until such time as a permanent FEPC is established by Congress. Since the two amendments cancel each other out, the net effect is to allow the FEPC to continue until July 30, 1946, but with limited persnnel.

Immediately after the House adopted the amendment, it was sent to the Senate, where Sen. Kenneth McKellar, the upper house’s presiding officer, moved that the Senate Concur. However, Wayne Morse, Oregon Republican, who has been active in the fight for the FEPC, objected, asserting that unless the agency received the full appropriation asked, it will be unable to function efficiently. (At the time the Bulletin went to press, Sen. Morse was in the midst of a filibuster designed to prevent Senate action on the amendment until Monday, in the hope that by then a sufficient number of votes could be lined up in favor of the larger appropriation.)

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