Roosevelt lobbies for Costigan-Wagner Bill

The Costigan-Wagner Bill aimed to make lynching a federal crime, addressing a critical issue in American society. President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a crucial role in lobbying for this legislation, recognizing the need for federal intervention against racial violence. He arranged meetings with key figures, including Walter Francis White, the president of the NAACP, to garner support for the bill. Despite these efforts, Roosevelt faced significant political challenges. He was concerned about the potential backlash from Southern congressional delegations, which were vital for his broader legislative agenda. This fear of losing Southern votes led him to refrain from publicly endorsing the bill, ultimately contributing to its failure to pass in the Senate. The inability to enact the Costigan-Wagner Bill highlighted the complexities of race relations and the political landscape of the time, as well as the limitations of federal power in addressing civil rights issues.