The 95th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C., from January 3, 1977, to January 3, 1979, during the final weeks of Gerald Ford's presidency and the first two years of Jimmy Carter's presidency.
| 95th United States Congress | |
|---|---|
94th ← → 96th | |
 | |
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Members | 100 senators 435 representatives 5 non-voting delegates |
| Senate majority | Democratic |
| Senate President | Nelson Rockefeller (R)[a] (until January 20, 1977) Walter Mondale (D) (from January 20, 1977) |
| House majority | Democratic |
| House Speaker | Tip O'Neill (D) |
| Sessions | |
| 1st: January 4, 1977 – December 15, 1977 2nd: January 19, 1978 – October 15, 1978 | |
The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1970 United States census. Both chambers maintained a Democratic supermajority, and with Jimmy Carter being sworn in as president on January 20, 1977, this gave the Democrats an overall federal government trifecta for the first time since the 90th Congress ending in 1969.
As of 2022[update], this was the most recent Congress to approve an amendment (the unratified District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment) to the Constitution. This is the last time the Democratic Party or any political party held a 2/3 supermajority in the House.
This is the last congress to at any point have no female senators (from its beginning, January 3, 1977, until the swearing-in of Muriel Humphrey (D-MN) on January 25, 1978; and again from the departure of both Humphrey and Maryon Allen (D-AL) on November 7, 1978, to the early swearing-in of Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) on December 23, 1978).[1]
Major events
- 1977 was the last year to have men serving as all 100 U.S senators
- January 20, 1977: Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter
- July 13, 1977: New York City blackout of 1977
- January 1, 1978: The Northern Mariana Islands left the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to become a Commonwealth of the United States, making it unincorporated and organized.
- February 8, 1978: Senate proceedings are broadcast on radio for the first time.
- August 7, 1978: Love Canal Disaster
- September 17, 1978: Camp David Accords
Hearings
Major legislation
- August 3, 1977: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Pub. L. 95–87, 91 Stat. 445
- August 4, 1977: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95–91, 91 Stat. 565
- October 7, 1977: Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95–124, 91 Stat. 1098
- October 12, 1977: Community Reinvestment Act, Pub. L. 95–128, title VIII, 91 Stat. 1147
- November 23, 1977: Saccharin Study and Labeling Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95–203, 91 Stat. 1451
- December 27, 1977: Clean Water Act, Pub. L. 95–217, 91 Stat. 1566
- December 28, 1977: International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Pub. L. 95–223, title II, 91 Stat. 1626
- March 10, 1978: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–242, 92 Stat. 120
- October 10, 1978: Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin Act of 1979, Pub. L. 95–447, 92 Stat. 1072
- October 12, 1978: Inspector General Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101
- October 13, 1978: Civil Service Reform Act, Pub. L. 95–454, 92 Stat. 1111
- October 24, 1978: Airline Deregulation Act, Pub. L. 95–504, 92 Stat. 1705
- October 25, 1978: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Pub. L. 95–511, 92 Stat. 1783
- October 26, 1978: Ethics in Government Act, Pub. L. 95–521, 92 Stat. 1824
- October 27, 1978: Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act, Pub. L. 95–523, 92 Stat. 1887
- October 31, 1978: Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Pub. L. 95–555, 92 Stat. 2076
- November 1, 1978: Contract Disputes Act, Pub. L. 95–563, 92 Stat. 2383
- November 4, 1978: Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–590, 92 Stat. 2513
- November 6, 1978: Bankruptcy Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–598, 92 Stat. 2549
- November 8, 1978: Indian Child Welfare Act, Pub. L. 95–608, 92 Stat. 3069
- November 8, 1978: Amateur Sports Act of 1978 Pub. L. 95–606, 92 Stat. 3045
- November 9, 1978: National Energy Conservation Policy Act, Pub. L. 95–619, 92 Stat. 3206
Constitutional amendments
- August 22, 1978: Approved an amendment to the United States Constitution granting the District of Columbia full representation in the United States Congress, full representation in the Electoral College system, and full participation in the process by which the Constitution is amended, and submitted it to the state legislatures for ratification
- This amendment, commonly known as the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment, was later rendered inoperative, as it was not ratified within the seven–year time frame set by Congress.
Treaties ratified
- March 16, 1978: First of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (Panama Canal) treaty: "The Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal", commonly known as the "Neutrality Treaty"
- April 19, 1978: Second of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties treaty, commonly known as "The Panama Canal Treaty"
Party summary
Senate
61 Democratic Senators
1 Independent Senator, caucusing with Democrats
38 Republican Senators
| Party (shading shows control) | Total | Vacant | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative (C) | Democratic (D) | Independent (I) | Republican (R) | |||
| End of previous congress | 1 | 60 | 1 | 38 | 100 | 0 |
| Begin | 0 | 61 | 1 | 38 | 100 | 0 |
| End | 58 | 41 | ||||
| Final voting share | 0.0% | 58.0% | 1.0% | 41.0% | ||
| Beginning of next congress | 0 | 58 | 1 | 41 | 100 | 0 |
House of Representatives
| Party (shading shows control) | Total | Vacant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (D) | Republican (R) | |||
| End of previous congress | 287 | 146 | 433 | 2 |
| Begin | 292 | 143 | 435 | 0 |
| End | 275 | 141 | 416 | 19 |
| Final voting share | 66.1% | 33.9% | ||
| Beginning of next congress | 276 | 157 | 433 | 2 |
Leadership
Senate
Senate President
Nelson Rockefeller (R),
until January 20, 1977
until January 20, 1977
.jpg)
Walter Mondale (D),
from January 20, 1977
from January 20, 1977
House Speaker
.jpg)
Tip O'Neill (D)
- President: Nelson Rockefeller (R), until January 20, 1977
- Walter Mondale (D), from January 20, 1977
- President pro tempore: James Eastland (D)
- Permanent Acting President pro tempore: Lee Metcalf (D), until January 12, 1978
- Deputy President pro tempore: Hubert Humphrey (D), until January 13, 1978
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader: Robert Byrd
- Majority Whip: Alan Cranston
- Democratic Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Wendell Ford
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: Howard Baker
- Minority Whip: Ted Stevens
- Republican Conference Chairman: Carl Curtis
- Republican Conference Secretary: Clifford Hansen
- National Senatorial Committee Chair: Bob Packwood
- Policy Committee Chairman: John Tower
House of Representatives
- Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader: Jim Wright
- Majority Whip: John Brademas
- Chief Deputy Majority Whip: Dan Rostenkowski
- Democratic Caucus Chairman: Tom Foley
- Democratic Caucus Secretary: Shirley Chisholm
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: James C. Corman
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: John Jacob Rhodes
- Minority Whip: Robert H. Michel
- Republican Conference Chairman: John B. Anderson
- Republican Conference Vice-Chairman: Samuel L. Devine
- Republican Conference Secretary: Jack Edwards
- Policy Committee Chairman: Del M. Clawson
- Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Caucuses
Members
Senate
In this Congress, Class 2 meant their term ended with this Congress, facing re-election in 1978; Class 3 meant their term began in the last Congress, facing re-election in 1980; and Class 1 meant their term began in this Congress, facing re-election in 1982.
House of Representatives
Members of the House of Representatives elected statewide at-large, are preceded by "At-large", and the names of those elected from districts, are preceded by their district numbers.
Many of the congressional district numbers are linked to articles describing the district itself. Since the boundaries of the districts have changed often and substantially, the linked article may only describe the district as it exists today, and not as it was at the time of this Congress.
House majority leadership
House minority leadership
.jpg)
Changes in membership
The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress.
Senate
- Replacements: 11
- Democratic: 3 seat net loss
- Republican: 3 seat net gain
- Deaths: 4
- Resignations: 5
- Vacancy: 0
- Total seats with changes: 9
| State (class) | Vacated by | Reason for change | Successor | Date of successor's formal installation[b] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (2) | John L. McClellan (D) | Died November 28, 1977. Successor appointed to finish the term. | Kaneaster Hodges Jr. (D) | December 10, 1977 |
| Montana (2) | Lee Metcalf (D) | Died January 12, 1978. Successor appointed to finish the term. | Paul G. Hatfield (D) | January 22, 1978 |
| Minnesota (1) | Hubert Humphrey (DFL) | Died January 13, 1978. Successor appointed to continue the term. | Muriel Humphrey (D) | January 25, 1978 |
| Alabama (3) | James Allen (D) | Died June 1, 1978. Successor appointed to continue the term. | Maryon Pittman Allen (D) | June 8, 1978 |
| Alabama (3) | Maryon Pittman Allen (D) | Appointee lost special election. Successor elected November 7, 1978. | Donald Stewart (D) | November 8, 1978 |
| Minnesota (1) | Muriel Humphrey (DFL) | Appointee retired when successor qualified. Successor elected November 7, 1978. | David Durenberger (R) | November 8, 1978 |
| Montana (2) | Paul G. Hatfield (D) | Lost nomination to the next term. Resigned early December 12, 1978. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | Max Baucus (D) | December 15, 1978 |
| Kansas (2) | James B. Pearson (R) | Resigned December 23, 1978. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | Nancy Kassebaum (R) | December 23, 1978 |
| Mississippi (2) | James Eastland (D) | Resigned December 27, 1978. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | Thad Cochran (R) | December 27, 1978 |
| Minnesota (2) | Wendell R. Anderson (DFL) | Resigned December 29, 1978. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | Rudy Boschwitz (R) | December 30, 1978 |
| Wyoming (2) | Clifford Hansen (R) | Resigned December 31, 1978. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | Alan Simpson (R) | January 1, 1979 |
| Virginia (2) | William L. Scott (R) | Resigned January 1, 1979. Successor appointed, having already been elected to the next term. | John Warner (R) | January 2, 1979 |
House of Representatives
- Replacements: 6
- Democratic: 4 seat net loss
- Republican: 4 seat net gain
- Deaths: 6
- Resignations: 21
- Contested election: 0
- Total seats with changes: 25
| District | Vacated by | Reason for change | Successor | Date of successor's formal installation[b] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota 7th | Robert Bergland (DFL) | Resigned January 22, 1977, after being appointed United States Secretary of Agriculture | Arlan Stangeland (R) | February 22, 1977 |
| Washington 7th | Brock Adams (D) | Resigned January 22, 1977, after being appointed United States Secretary of Transportation | John E. Cunningham (R) | May 17, 1977 |
| Georgia 5th | Andrew Young (D) | Resigned January 29, 1977, after being appointed United States Ambassador to the United Nations | Wyche Fowler (D) | April 6, 1977 |
| Louisiana 1st | Richard Alvin Tonry (D) | Forced to resign May 4, 1977 | Bob Livingston (R) | August 27, 1977 |
| New York 18th | Ed Koch (D) | Resigned December 31, 1977, after being elected Mayor of New York City | Bill Green (R) | February 14, 1978 |
| New York 21st | Herman Badillo (D) | Resigned December 31, 1977, after becoming Deputy Mayor of New York City. Elected on the Republican and Liberal tickets on February 14, but officially took office as a Democrat after being accepted by the caucus on February 21. | Robert Garcia (D) | February 21, 1978 |
| Tennessee 5th | Clifford Allen (D) | Died June 18, 1978 | Vacant | Not filled this term |
| California 18th | William M. Ketchum (R) | Died June 24, 1978 | ||
| Illinois 1st | Ralph Metcalfe (D) | Died October 10, 1978 | ||
| Maryland 6th | Goodloe Byron (D) | Died October 11, 1978 | ||
| California 11th | Leo Ryan (D) | Murdered by members of the Peoples Temple at the Guyana Airport November 18, 1978, shortly before the Jonestown Massacre | ||
| Wisconsin 6th | William A. Steiger (R) | Died December 4, 1978 | ||
| Montana 1st | Max Baucus (D) | Resigned December 14, 1978, after being appointed to the U.S. Senate having already been elected. | ||
| Mississippi 4th | Thad Cochran (R) | Resigned December 26, 1978, after being appointed to the U.S. Senate having already been elected. | ||
| Wyoming at-large | Teno Roncalio (D) | Resigned December 30, 1978 | ||
| California 3rd | John E. Moss (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| California 14th | John J. McFall (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| California 33rd | Del M. Clawson (R) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| Kansas 5th | Joe Skubitz (R) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| Michigan 10th | Elford Albin Cederberg (R) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| New Jersey 14th | Joseph A. LeFante (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| New York 9th | James J. Delaney (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| Texas 6th | Olin E. Teague (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| Texas 11th | William R. Poage (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 | ||
| Texas 17th | Omar Burleson (D) | Resigned December 31, 1978 |
Committees
Lists of committees and their party leaders for members of the House and Senate committees can be found through the Official Congressional Directory at the bottom of this article. The directory after the pages of terms of service lists committees of the Senate, House (Standing with Subcommittees, Select and Special) and Joint and, after that, House/Senate committee assignments. On the committees section of the House and Senate in the Official Congressional Directory, the committee's members on the first row on the left side shows the chairman of the committee and on the right side shows the ranking member of the committee.
Joint committees
- Atomic Energy (Chair: Vacant; Vice Chair: Sen. Henry M. Jackson)
- Congressional Operations (Chair: Sen. Lee Metcalf; Vice Chair: Rep. Jack Brooks)
- Defense Productions (Chair: Sen. William Proxmire; Vice Chair: Rep. Parren Mitchell)
- Economic (Chair: Rep. Richard Walker Bolling; Vice Chair: Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey)
- Taxation (Chair: Rep. Al Ullman; Vice Chair: Sen. Russell B. Long)
- The Library (Chair: Rep. Lucien Nedzi; Vice Chair: Sen. Howard Cannon)
- Printing (Chair: Sen. Howard Cannon; Vice Chair: Rep. Frank Thompson Jr.)
Employees
Legislative branch agency directors
- Architect of the Capitol: George M. White
- Attending Physician of the United States Congress: Freeman H. Cary
- Comptroller General of the United States: Elmer B. Staats
- Director of the Congressional Budget Office: Alice M. Rivlin
- Librarian of Congress: Daniel J. Boorstin
- Public Printer of the United States: Thomas F. McCormick, until 1977
- John J. Boyle, from 1977
Senate
- Chaplain: Edward L.R. Elson (Presbyterian)
- Curator: James R. Ketchum
- Historian: Richard A. Baker
- Parliamentarian: Murray Zweben
- Secretary: Francis R. Valeo, until March 31, 1977
- J. Stanley Kimmitt, from March 31, 1977
- Librarian: Roger K. Haley
- Sergeant at Arms: Frank "Nordy" Hoffman
- Secretary for the Majority: J. Stanley Kimmitt, until March 31, 1977
- James H. Duffy, from March 31, 1977
- Secretary for the Minority: William Hildenbrand
House of Representatives
- Chaplain: Edward G. Latch (Methodist)
- Clerk: Edmund L. Henshaw Jr.
- Doorkeeper: James T. Molloy
- Parliamentarian: William Holmes Brown
- Reading Clerks: Bob Berry (R), Charles W. Hackney Jr. (D)
- Postmaster: Robert V. Rota
- Sergeant at Arms: Kenneth R. Harding
See also
- List of new members of the 95th United States Congress
- 1976 United States elections (elections leading to this Congress)
- 1978 United States elections (elections during this Congress, leading to the next Congress)
Notes
References
- Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
- Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
External links
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
- U.S. House of Representatives: Congressional History
- U.S. Senate: Statistics and Lists
- House of Representatives Session Calendar for the 95th Congress (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- Congressional Pictorial Directory for the 95th Congress.
- Official Congressional Directory for the 95th Congress, 1st Session.
- Official Congressional Directory Supplement for the 95th Congress, 2nd Session.
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