Robert Smalls, born enslaved in South Carolina, stole the CSS Planter and delivered it to Union troops. After the Civil War, Smalls was elected to the South Carolina legislature and later to the U.S. Congress where he served 5 terms during and after Reconstruction.
The Senate's attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act narrowly failed due to a surprise defection by Sen. John McCain
In 1997, the Senate voted 95-0 to restrict entry of the U.S. into future international climate treaties, ending hopes for legally binding emissions targets for the U.S.
In 1999, Congress repealed the 65 year old Glass-Steagall provisions, which required banks to separate investments and deposits.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.
On December 19th, 1998, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 611, referred President Bill Clinton to the Senate for impeachment prosecution on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice
