Second Enforcement Act

The Second Enforcement Act of 1871, sometimes called the Civil Rights Act of 1871 or the Second Ku Klux Klan Act, was a United States federal law. The act was the second of three Enforcement Acts passed by the United States Congress from 1870 to 1871 during the Reconstruction Era to combat attacks on the voting rights of African Americans from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

Legislative history

from New York introduced his bill H.R. 2634 in the 41st United States Congress. The bill was passed by Congress on February 15th, 1871, and signed into law by United States President Ulysses S. Grant on February 28, 1871.

Legislative breakdown

H.R. 2634 was brought to a floor vote in the chambers of the US House on February 15, 1871. Three political parties were present to vote on the motion to pass H.R. 2634, the Second Enforcement Act of 1871. The Republican Party voted 143 in favor, 3 against. The Democratic Party voted 0 in favor, 58 against. And the Conservative Party voted 1 in favor, 3 against. 32 members did not vote. It was brought to a floor vote in the chambers of the US Senate on February 24, 1871. Three political parties were present. Republicans voted 38 in favor, 1 against. Democrats voted 0 in favor, 7 against. and Liberal Republicans voted 0 in favor, 0 against. 24 members did not vote. 1 Aye and 2 Nay votes were recorded, but unattributed to a party.