United States 1924

Synopsis

Had it ever been enacted, the proposed Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would have granted Congress the power to regulate child labor. First proposed in 1922, the amendment was approved by both houses on 2 June 1924. Despite wide popular support, the amendment was only ratified by 28 of the required 36 states before the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 made it a moot issue by placing child labor under control of the Department of Labor.

The debate about the amendment touched on concerns about the power of the federal government as opposed to the power of both the local government and the family. Advocates argued that the state had a compelling interest in nurturing children for subsequent citizenship. Opponents argued that the amendment would give Congress power over what ought to be a family decision. Republican presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover each...