Bland was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for election to Congress in 1910, 1912, and 1914.[2] He finally prevailed in the election of 1916, and was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives of the 65th, 66th and 67th United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1917, to March 3, 1923.[2] He served as Chairman of the Committee on Industrial Arts and Expositions in the 66th and 67th Congresses.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1922 to the 68th United States Congress.[2]
Following his retirement from the federal bench, Bland resumed the private practice of law in Washington, D.C., where he died August 3, 1951, at the age of 73.[1] He was interred in Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Washington, D.C.[2]