webb was elected as a democrat to the united states house of representatives of the 58th united states congress and to the eight succeeding congresses and served from march 4, 1903, to november 10, 1919, when he resigned to accept a federal judgeship. he was chairman of the united states house committee on the judiciary for the 63rd through 65th united states congresses. he was one of the managers appointed by the house of representatives in 1912 to conduct impeachment proceedings against robert wodrow archbald, judge of the united states commerce court. on april 17, 1918, congressman webb, as the sole sponsor, introduced the sedition act of 1918 legislation in the u.s. house (h.r. 8753), that criminalized speech or the expression of opinion criticizing the u.s. government war effort, military or flag. it amended the espionage act of 1917. it was signed into law on may 16, 1918 by president woodrow wilson. the law was repealed on december 13, 1920.