James K. Polk becomes Speaker of the House (1835)

James K. Polk became Speaker of the House in December 1835, following his tenure as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He was the only person to serve both as Speaker and U.S. president. His election was supported by President Andrew Jackson, who called in political debts to secure Polk's position at the start of the 24th Congress.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Polk served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, a powerful position in the House, after being elected to a fifth consecutive term in December 1833. In June 1834, Speaker Andrew Stevenson resigned to become Minister to the United Kingdom, creating a vacancy. Polk had previously conducted investigations of the Second Bank, issuing a strong minority report condemning it.

Election. President Andrew Jackson called in political debts to try to get Polk elected Speaker of the House at the start of the next Congress in December 1835. Jackson assured Polk in a letter that New England would support him for speaker. The 24th Congress met in Washington, D.C., from March 4, 1835, to March 4, 1837.

Significance. Polk became the only person to serve both as Speaker of the House and U.S. president. By 1836, while serving as Speaker, Polk approached the zenith of his congressional career. His tenure was later hindered by the nationwide economic crisis following the Panic of 1837.

People involved

Sources

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