After reports that the USS Maddox had been attacked by North Vietnamese naval vessels, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 422-1 to authorize military action in Vietnam. Eugene Siler was the loan 'Nay' vote.
After emotional and excoriating testimony from comedian Jon Stewart, congress re-authorizes the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Reps. Paul Gosar, Jody Hice, and Thomas Massie are among 12 who vote against the bill.
Sen. Rand Paul's motion to hold that the Senate cannot try an impeached official who is no longer in office was defeated 55-45. Most legal scholars agree such a trial is permissible.
Map, visualize, and explore the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act in October 2001
In 1999, Congress repealed the 65 year old Glass-Steagall provisions, which required banks to separate investments and deposits. Critics allege this led to risky investment practices, and subsequently the 2008 financial crisis.
