111th United States Congress
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| 111th United States Congress | |||
 United States Capitol (2007) |
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| Duration: January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | |||
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| President of the Senate: | Dick Cheney (R), Until Jan. 20, 2009 Joe Biden (D), Jan. 20, 2009 – Present |
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| President pro tempore: | Robert Byrd (D) | ||
| Speaker of the House: | Nancy Pelosi (D) | ||
| Members: | 100 Senators 435 Representatives 6 Non-voting members |
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| Senate Majority: | Democratic Party | ||
| House Majority: | Democratic Party | ||
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| Sessions | |||
| 1st: January 6, 2009[1] – TBD | |||
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The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of the Barack Obama administration. The Congress will last from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011, and it began its first session on January 6, 2009. The apportionment of seats in the House is based on the 2000 U.S. Census. In the November 4, 2008 elections, the Democratic Party increased its majorities in both chambers. A new delegate seat was created for the Northern Mariana Islands.[2]
Major events
- January 2009: Two Senate seats were vacant when the Congress convened:
- An appointment dispute over the Illinois seat vacated by President Barack Obama arose following Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's alleged solicitation of bribes in exchange for an appointment to the Senate. Roland Burris (D) was appointed to the seat on December 31, 2008 and was sworn in on January 15, 2009.
- An election dispute over the Minnesota seat previously held by incumbent Norm Coleman (R), between Coleman and challenger Al Franken (D), was decided in favor of Franken, but Franken has yet to be seated.
- January 8, 2009: Joint session counted the Electoral College votes of the 2008 presidential election, declaring Barack Obama and Joe Biden as the winners.[1]
- January 20, 2009: Inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
- April 28, 2009: Longtime Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter switched parties from Republican to Democratic.
- June 30, 2009: Democratic challenger Al Franken was certified as the winner of the disputed 2008 Senate election in Minnesota over incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman after a ruling by the Supreme Court of Minnesota.[3]
- November 2, 2010: 2010 general elections scheduled.
Major legislation
Enacted
- January 29, 2009: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Pub.L. 111-2
- February 4, 2009: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, Pub.L. 111-3
- February 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Pub.L. 111-5
- March 11, 2009: Omnibus Appropriations Act, Pub.L. 111-8
- March 30, 2009: Omnibus Public Land Management Act, Pub.L. 111-11
- April 21, 2009: Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, Pub.L. 111-13
- May 20, 2009: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, Pub.L. 111-22
- May 22, 2009: Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act, Pub.L. 111-23
- May 22, 2009: Credit CARD Act, Pub.L. 111-24
- June 22, 2009: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, Pub.L. 111-31, H.R. 1256
- June 24, 2009: Supplemental Appropriations Act, Pub.L. 111-32, H.R. 2346
Pending or failed
- (in alphabetical order)
- American Clean Energy and Security Act
- District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act
- Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
- Employee Free Choice Act
- Employment Non-Discrimination Act
- Federal Reserve Transparency Act
- Gun Show Loophole Closing Act
- Healthy Americans Act
- Matthew Shepard Act
- Military Readiness Enhancement Act
- Presidential Records Act Amendments
- Puerto Rico Democracy Act
- Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act
- Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
- Uniting American Families Act
- Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act
- See also: Active Legislation, 111th Congress, via senate.gov
Vetoed
- None
Major resolutions
- TBD
Select committees
- Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
- Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
- Select Committee on the Impeachment of Samuel B. Kent[4][5]
Hearings
- From January to April 2009, the Senate held confirmation hearings for Barack Obama's cabinet.
Party summary
- Resignations and new members are discussed in the "Changes in membership" section, below.
Senate
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| Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
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Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Independent | Republican | Vacant | |||
| End of previous Congress | 48 | 2 | 49 | 99 | 1 | |
| Begin | 55 | 2 | 41 | 98 | 2 | |
| January 15, 2009 | 56 | 99 | 1 | |||
| January 20, 2009 | 55 | 98 | 2 | |||
| January 27, 2009 | 56 | 99 | 1 | |||
| April 30, 2009 | 57 | 40 | ||||
| Pending[6] | 58 | 100 | 0 | |||
| Latest voting share | 60.0% | 40.0 % | ||||
House of Representatives
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| Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
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Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Independent | Republican | Vacant | ||
| End of previous Congress | 235 | 0 | 198 | 433 | 2 |
| Begin | 256 | 0 | 178 | 434 | 1 |
| January 26, 2009 | 255 | 433 | 2 | ||
| February 24, 2009 | 254 | 432 | 3 | ||
| April 21, 2009 | 255 | 433 | 2 | ||
| April 29, 2009 | 256 | 434 | 1 | ||
| June 26, 2009 | 255 | 433 | 2 | ||
| Latest voting share | 58.9% | 0.0% | 41.1% | ||
| Non-voting members | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Leadership
| Contents | |
| Senate: | Majority (Democratic) leadership • Minority (Republican) leadership |
| House of Representatives: | Majority (Democratic) leadership • Minority (Republican) leadership |
Senate
- President:
- Dick Cheney (R), Until January 20, 2009
- Joe Biden (D), January 20, 2009 - Present
- President pro tempore: Robert Byrd (D)
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader and Conference Chairman:[7] Harry Reid
- Assistant Majority Leader (Majority Whip): Richard Durbin
- Conference Vice Chairman: Charles Schumer
- Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman: Bob Menendez
- Conference Secretary: Patty Murray
- Policy Committee Chairman: Byron Dorgan
- Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Debbie Stabenow
- Committee Outreach Chair: Jeff Bingaman
- Rural Outreach Chair: Blanche Lincoln
- Chief Deputy Whip: Barbara Boxer
- Deputy Whips: Tom Carper, Bill Nelson, and Russ Feingold
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell
- Assistant Minority Leader (Minority Whip): Jon Kyl
- Counselor to the Minority Leader: TBD
- Conference Chairman: Lamar Alexander
- Conference Vice Chair: Lisa Murkowski[8]
- Policy Committee Chairman: John Ensign, until June 17, 2009. John Thune, June 25, 2009-present.[8]
- National Senatorial Committee Chair: John Cornyn
House of Representatives
- Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (D)
- Assistant to the Speaker: Chris Van Hollen (D)
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer
- Majority Whip: Jim Clyburn
- Senior Chief Deputy Majority Whip: John Lewis
- Chief Deputy Majority Whips: Maxine Waters, John S. Tanner, Ed Pastor, Jan Schakowsky, Joseph Crowley, Diana DeGette, G.K. Butterfield, Debbie Wasserman Schultz
- Caucus Chairman: John B. Larson
- Caucus Vice-Chairman: Xavier Becerra
- Campaign Committee Chairman: Chris Van Hollen
- Steering/Policy Committee Co-Chairs: George Miller and Rosa DeLauro
- Organization, Study, and Review Chairman: Michael Capuano
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: John Boehner
- Minority Whip: Eric Cantor
- Chief Deputy Whip: Kevin McCarthy
- Conference Chair: Mike Pence
- Conference Vice-Chair: Cathy McMorris-Rodgers
- Conference Secretary: John Carter
- Policy Committee Chairman: Thaddeus McCotter
- Campaign Committee Chairman: Pete Sessions
Members
Senate
For demographics, hometown, senatorial class, when first took office, when current term expires, prior background, and education, see List of current United States Senators.
House of Representatives
For demographics, hometown, when first took office, when current term expires, prior background, and education, see Current members of the United States House of Representatives.
For maps of congressional districts, see List of United States congressional districts.
| Section contents: Alabama — Alaska — Arizona —Arkansas — California — Colorado — Connecticut — Delaware — Florida — Georgia — Hawaii — Idaho — Illinois — Indiana — Iowa — Kansas — Kentucky — Louisiana — Maine — Maryland — Massachusetts — Michigan — Minnesota — Mississippi — Missouri — Montana — Nebraska — Nevada — New Hampshire — New Jersey — New Mexico — New York — North Carolina — North Dakota — Ohio — Oklahoma — Oregon — Pennsylvania — Rhode Island — South Carolina — South Dakota — Tennessee — Texas — Utah — Vermont — Virginia — Washington — West Virginia — Wisconsin — Wyoming — Non-voting members |
Democratic Republican
Changes in membership
Senate
Four changes in membership are associated with the 2008 presidential election and appointments to the incoming Obama administration. One Senator changed parties and one seat is disputed.
| State (class) |
Previous | Reason for change | Subsequent | Date of successor's taking seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (class 2) |
Disputed | Incumbent Norm Coleman (R) challenged the election of Al Franken (D). Following a ruling by Minnesota's Supreme Court in Franken's favor, Coleman conceded. | Al Franken (D) | To be seated when the Senate reconvenes |
| Illinois (class 3) |
Vacant | Barack Obama resigned near the end of the previous Congress, after being elected President of the United States.[11] Due to a credentials challenge, his successor—appointed December 31, 2008, during the last congress—was not sworn in to fill his seat until 12 days after the initiation of this Congress.[12] | Roland Burris[13] (D) | January 15, 2009[12] |
| Delaware (class 2) |
Joe Biden (D) | Resigned January 15, 2009 in expectation of becoming Vice President.[14] His appointed successor will fill the seat until a special election in November 2010. | Ted Kaufman[15] (D) | January 16, 2009[16] |
| Colorado (class 3) |
Ken Salazar (D) | Resigned January 20, 2009 to become Secretary of the Interior. His appointed successor will fill the seat until a special election in November 2010. | Michael Bennet[17] (D) | January 22, 2009[18] |
| New York (class 1) |
Hillary Clinton (D) | Resigned January 21, 2009 to become Secretary of State. Her appointed successor will fill the seat until a special election in November 2010. | Kirsten Gillibrand[19] (D) | January 27, 2009 |
| Pennsylvania (class 3) |
Arlen Specter (R) | Change of party affiliation.[10] | Arlen Specter (D) | April 30, 2009 |
House of Representatives
All five vacancies are associated with appointments to the incoming Obama administration. House vacancies are filled by special elections, called by the state governors.
| District | Previous | Reason for change | Subsequent | Date of successor's taking office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois 5th | Vacant | Rahm Emanuel (D) resigned near the end of the previous Congress after being named White House Chief of Staff. | Michael Quigley (D) | April 21, 2009 |
| New York 20th | Kirsten Gillibrand (D) | Resigned January 26, 2009, to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. | Scott Murphy (D) | April 29, 2009 |
| California 32nd | Hilda Solis (D) | Resigned February 24, 2009, to become Secretary of Labor. There will be a special election on July 14, 2009. | TBD | TBD |
| California 10th | Ellen Tauscher (D) | Resigned June 26, 2009, to become Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. There will be a special election, with date to be determined. | TBD | TBD |
| New York 23rd | John McHugh (R) | Expected to resign upon Senate confirmation as Secretary of the Army. | TBD | TBD |
Employees
- Architect of the Capitol: Stephen T. Ayers (Acting)
- Attending Physician of the United States Congress: Rear Admiral (Select) Brian Monahan, MD, FACP
Senate
- Chaplain: Barry C. Black
- Curator: Diane K. Skvarla
- Historian: Richard A. Baker
- Parliamentarian: Alan Frumin
- Secretary: Nancy Erickson
- Sergeant at Arms: Terrance W. Gainer
- Secretary for the Majority: Lula J. Davis
- Secretary for the Minority: David J. Schiappa
House of Representatives
- Chaplain: Daniel P. Coughlin
- Chief Administrative Officer: Daniel P. Beard
- Clerk: Lorraine Miller
- Historian: Robert Remini
- Parliamentarian: John V. Sullivan
- Reading Clerks: Jaime Zapata, Susan Cole
- Sergeant at Arms: Wilson “Bill” Livingood
- Inspector General: James J. Cornell[20]
- See also: Rules of the House: "Other officers and officials"
See also
Elections
Membership lists
- List of freshman class members of the 111th United States Congress
- List of current United States Senators by age and generation
References
- ^ a b See Pub.L. 110-430. Section 1 sets the beginning of the first session of the 111th Congress. Section 2 sets the date for counting Electoral College votes.
- ^ Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110-229
- ^ "Certificate of Election". Office of the Minnesota Governor, via StarTribune.com. 2009-06-30. http://stmedia.startribune.com/documents/Election+certificate.pdf?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUxWoW_oD:EaDUiacyKUUr. Retrieved on 2009-07-01.
- ^ S.Res. 203, resolution to provide for the appointment of a committee to receive and to report evidence with respect to the articles of impeachment against Judge Samuel B. Kent.
- ^ "Senate Takes First Steps Toward Judge’s Impeachment Trial". CQ Politics. Congressional Quarterly. 2009-06-24. http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000003152390. Retrieved on 2009-06-24.
- ^ Eric Kleefel (June 30, 2009). "Top Senate Dem Aide: We Are Prepared To Swear In Franken 'As Early As Possible Next Week'". Talking Points Memo. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/top-senate-dem-aide-we-are-prepared-to-swear-in-franken-as-early-as-possible-next-week.php?ref=fpban.
- ^ The Democratic Senate Majority Leader also serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Conference.
- ^ a b "Thune Elected Republican Policy Committee Chairman". Office of U.S. Senator John Thune. 2009-06-25. http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=ae77697e-be0b-4801-8e3a-d4965d8282b7&Month=6&Year=2009. Retrieved on 2009-07-01.
- ^ Burris was appointed on December 31, 2008, during the 110th United States Congress. However, he was not allowed to take the oath until January 15, 2009, due to the controversy surrounding Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him.
- ^ a b Arlen Specter announced his party switch on April 28 and it officially took effect on April 30. "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress". http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000709.
- ^ Mason, Jeff (2009-01-27). "Obama resigns Senate seat, thanks Illinois". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111600753.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-21.
- ^ a b Hulse, Carl (2009-01-27). "Burris Is Sworn In". New York Times: www.nytimes.com. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/burris-is-sworn-in/. Retrieved on 2009-01-15.
- ^ "Burris v. White, Illinois Supreme Court, No. 107816". 2009-01-09. http://www.state.il.us/court/OPINIONS/SupremeCourt/2009/January/107816.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-27.
- ^ "Biden to Resign from Senate Thursday". MSNBC. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/09/1738560.aspx.
- ^ "Longtime Biden aide picked to fill his Senate seat". WJLA.com. November 24, 2008. http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1108/572587.html. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.
- ^ "Illinois, Delaware Senators to Be Seated in First Round of Replacements". CQ Politics. http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003010505.
- ^ "Official Press Release from Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., Jan. 3, 2009, appointing Michael Bennet". Colorado.gov. http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1230985756099&pagename=GovRitter%2FGOVRLayout.
- ^ "Ken Salazar sends Senate resignation". http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=9696407.
- ^ "Aide: Kirsten Gillibrand picked as next NY senator". http://www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1232693351262890.xml&storylist=state.
- ^ "Congressional Record". U.S. Government Printing Office. January 6, 2009. H24. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2009_record&page=H24&position=all.
External links
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
- Thomas Project at the Library of Congress
- Member Information, via U.S. House of Representatives
- Statistics and Lists, via U.S. Senate
- Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile, Congressional Research Service, December 31, 2008
- Congressional Directory: Main Page, Government Printing Office Online. Detailed listings of many aspects of current & previous memberships and sessions of Congress.
- Name Pronunciation Guide to the 111th U.S. Congress from inogolo.com
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