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Lend-Lease Act

Smoothing the way for Lend-Lease

House Majority Leader John McCormack [Democrat of Massachusetts] felt somewhat uneasy about the prospect of introducing the Lend-Lease Bill on the floor of the House on January 10, 1941.

It was the first time in history that British sovereigns had come to see what they lost in 1776. George and Franklin, Elizabeth and Eleanor, hit it off like old friends; even Texas congressmen melted under the royal charm. Brewing was a crucial World War II alliance

A long line of nervous congressmen stood in the Capitol rotunda awaiting the arrival of someone of obviously high importance. Vice President John Nance Garner buzzed among the legislators trying to ease the tension with his famous stories.

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