118th United States Congress

The 118th United States Congress is the current 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 convened in Washington, D.C., on January 3, 2023, and will end on January 3, 2025, during the third and fourth years of President Joe Biden's term in office.

118th United States Congress
117th ←
→ 119th
A photo of the United States Capitol, with a sunrise in the background.

January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Members100 senators
435 representatives
6 non-voting delegates
Senate majorityDemocratic
Senate PresidentKamala Harris (D)
House majorityRepublican
House Speaker
Sessions
1st: January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2024
2nd: January 3, 2024 – present
A small pin held onto an article of clothing with a Congressional seal on it
118th Congress House member pin

In the 2022 midterm elections, the Republican Party won control of the House 222–213, taking the majority for the first time since the 115th Congress, while the Democratic Party gained one seat in the Senate, where they already had effective control, and giving them a 51–49 seat majority (with a caucus of 48 Democrats and three independents). With Republicans winning the House, the 118th Congress ended the federal government trifecta Democrats held in the 117th.[1]

This congress also features the first female Senate president pro tempore (Patty Murray), the first Black party leader (Hakeem Jeffries) in congressional history, and the longest-serving Senate party leaders (Mitch McConnell and Dick Durbin).[b]

The 118th Congress has been characterized as a uniquely ineffectual Congress, with its most notable events pointing towards political dysfunction.[2] The intense gridlock, particularly in the Republican-controlled House, where the Republican Conference's majority was often undercut by internal disputes amongst its members,[3] resulted in it passing the lowest number of laws for the first year of session since the Richard Nixon administration, and possibly ever.[4] The unproductive session demotivated many seasoned legislators, with five committee chairs amongst the dozens declaring resignations before the end of the session, three of whom were eligible to reprise their positions if the Republican Party retained their majority for 2025.[5]

The Congress began with a multi-ballot election for Speaker of the House, which had not happened since the 68th Congress in 1923. Kevin McCarthy was eventually elected speaker on the 15th ballot. After relying on Democratic votes to get out of a debt ceiling crisis and government shutdown threats, McCarthy became the first speaker to ever be removed from the role during a legislative session on October 3, 2023.[6] Following three failed attempts by various representatives to fill the post, on October 25, Mike Johnson was elected as speaker. Johnson would advance four more bipartisan continuing resolutions from November into March to avoid shutdowns.[7][8] Congress finalized the 2024 United States federal budget on March 23, 2024, through two separate minibus packages.[9] Following a contentious foreign aid vote, a motion to vacate against Johnson was defeated through a motion to table with bipartisan support.[10]

Partisan disciplinary actions have also increased. With the expulsion of New York Representative George Santos from the House in December 2023 over the opposition of the Speaker, this was the first congress since the 107th in which a member was expelled, and the first ever in which a Republican was. There was also an increase of censures passed in the House,[11] being the first congress with multiple censures since the 1983 congressional page sex scandal and the most in one year since 1870. In December 2023, House Republicans authorized an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden,[12] followed by the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas in February 2024, the first time a cabinet secretary has been the target of impeachment proceedings since William W. Belknap in 1876, and only the second such cabinet impeachment in history.[13][14] The charges were dismissed by the Senate, the first time the Senate dismissed impeachment articles without trial after the reading.[15]

Major events

President Biden during his 2023 State of the Union Address with Vice President Kamala Harris and then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
President Biden during his 2024 State of the Union Address with Vice President Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressing a joint session of Congress with Vice President Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson

Major legislation

Enacted

Proposed (but not enacted)

House bills
Senate bills

Major resolutions

Adopted

Proposed

Vetoed

  • H.J.Res. 27: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'".
  • H.J.Res. 30: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".
  • H.J.Res. 39: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord With Presidential Proclamation 10414".
  • H.J.Res. 42: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
  • H.J.Res. 45: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans".
  • H.J.Res. 98: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
  • S.J.Res. 11: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards".
  • S.J.Res. 32: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)".
  • S.J.Res. 38: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to "Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers".

Party summary

Resignations and new members are discussed in the "Changes in membership" section:
Number of members of Congress by age,
118th Congress

Senate

Overview of Senate membership by party
 Party
(shading shows control)
TotalVacant
DemocraticIndependent*Republican
End of previous Congress[c]482501000
Begin (January 3, 2023)483491000
January 8, 2023[d]48991
January 23, 2023[d]491000
September 29, 2023[e]47991
October 3, 2023[e]481000
May 31, 2024[f]474
Current voting share51.0%49.0% 
  • All four self-identified independents caucus with the Democrats.

House of Representatives

Overview of House membership by party
 Party
(shading shows control)
TotalVacant
DemocraticRepublican
End of previous Congress2162134296
Begin (January 3, 2023)[g]2122224341
March 7, 2023[g]2134350
May 31, 2023[h]2124341
September 15, 2023[i]2214332
November 13, 2023[h]2134341
November 28, 2023[i]2224350
December 1, 2023[j]2214341
December 31, 2023[k]2204332
January 21, 2024[l]2194323
February 2, 2024[m]2124314
February 28, 2024[j]2134323
March 22, 2024[n]2184314
April 20, 2024[o]2174305
April 24, 2024[p]2124296
May 6, 2024[m]2134305
June 3, 2024[k]2184314
June 25, 2024[l]2194323
Current voting share49.4%50.6%
Non-voting members33[q]60

Leadership

Note: Democrats refer to themselves as a "caucus"; Republicans refer to themselves as a "conference".

Senate

Senate President
Kamala Harris (D)
Senate President pro tempore
Patty Murray (D)

Presiding

Majority (Democratic)

Minority (Republican)

House of Representatives

House Speaker
Kevin McCarthy (R),
from January 7 to October 3, 2023
Patrick McHenry (R),
from October 3 to October 25, 2023 (as Speaker pro tempore)
Mike Johnson (R),
from October 25, 2023

Presiding

Majority (Republican)

Minority (Democratic)

Members

Senate

The numbers refer to their Senate classes. All class 3 seats were contested in the November 2022 elections. In this Congress, class 3 means their term commenced in 2023, requiring re-election in 2028; class 1 means their term ends with this Congress, requiring re-election in 2024; and class 2 means their term began in the last Congress, requiring re-election in 2026.

House of Representatives

All 435 seats were filled by election in November 2022. Additionally, six non-voting members were elected from the American territories and Washington, D.C.[u]

The numbers refer to the congressional district of the given state in this Congress. Eight new congressional districts were created or re-created, while eight others were eliminated, as a result of the 2020 United States census.[v][w]

Changes in membership

Senate changes

Senate changes
State
(class)
Vacated byReason for changeSuccessorDate of successor's
formal installation[x]
Nebraska
(2)
Ben Sasse
(R)
Incumbent resigned January 8, 2023, to become the president of the University of Florida.[40]
Successor was appointed January 12, 2023, to continue the term.[55][y]
Pete Ricketts
(R)
January 23, 2023
California
(1)
Dianne Feinstein
(D)
Incumbent died September 29, 2023.[41]
Successor was appointed October 1, 2023, to continue the term.[57]
Laphonza Butler
(D)
October 3, 2023
West Virginia
(1)
Joe Manchin
(D)
Incumbent changed party May 31, 2024.[36]Joe Manchin
(I)
May 31, 2024
California
(1)
Laphonza Butler
(D)
Appointment to expire in late 2024, following a special election.[58]
Successor will be elected November 5, 2024, to finish the term ending with this Congress.[59]
TBD

House of Representatives changes

House changes
DistrictVacated byReason for changeSuccessorDate of successor's
formal installation[x]
Virginia 4VacantIncumbent Donald McEachin (D) died November 28, 2022, before the beginning of this Congress.
A special election was held on February 21, 2023.[60]
Jennifer McClellan
(D)
March 7, 2023
Rhode Island 1David Cicilline
(D)
Incumbent resigned May 31, 2023, to become CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
A special election was held on November 7, 2023.[45]
Gabe Amo
(D)
November 13, 2023
Utah 2Chris Stewart
(R)
Incumbent resigned September 15, 2023, due to his wife's health issues.
A special election was held on November 21, 2023.[47]
Celeste Maloy
(R)
November 28, 2023
New York 3George Santos
(R)
Incumbent expelled December 1, 2023.[61]
A special election was held on February 13, 2024.
Tom Suozzi
(D)
February 28, 2024
California 20Kevin McCarthy
(R)
Incumbent resigned December 31, 2023.[62]
A special election was held on May 21, 2024.
Vince Fong
(R)
June 3, 2024
Ohio 6Bill Johnson
(R)
Incumbent resigned January 21, 2024, to become president of Youngstown State University.[63][64]
A special election was held on June 11, 2024.
Michael Rulli
(R)
June 25, 2024
New York 26Brian Higgins
(D)
Incumbent resigned February 2, 2024, to become president of Shea's Performing Arts Center.[65]
A special election was held on April 30, 2024.[66]
Tim Kennedy
(D)
May 6, 2024
Colorado 4Ken Buck
(R)
Incumbent resigned March 22, 2024.[67]
A special election will be held on June 25, 2024.
TBD
Wisconsin 8Mike Gallagher
(R)
Incumbent resigned on April 20, 2024.[68]
A special election will be held on November 5, 2024.[69]
TBD
New Jersey 10Donald Payne Jr.
(D)
Incumbent died on April 24, 2024.[70]
A special election will be held on September 18, 2024.
TBD

Committees

Section contents: Senate, House, Joint

Senate committees

Standing committees

CommitteeChairRanking Member/Vice Chair
Agriculture, Nutrition and ForestryDebbie Stabenow (D-MI)John Boozman (R-AR)
AppropriationsPatty Murray (D-WA)Susan Collins (R-ME)
Armed ServicesJack Reed (D-RI)Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Banking, Housing and Urban AffairsSherrod Brown (D-OH)Tim Scott (R-SC)
BudgetSheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Commerce, Science and TransportationMaria Cantwell (D-WA)Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Energy and Natural ResourcesJoe Manchin (I-WV) (Democrat until May 31, 2024)John Barrasso (R-WY)
Environment and Public WorksTom Carper (D-DE)Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
FinanceRon Wyden (D-OR)Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Foreign RelationsBob Menendez (D-NJ) until September 22, 2023
Ben Cardin (D-MD) from September 25, 2023
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Health, Education, Labor and PensionsBernie Sanders (I-VT)Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsGary Peters (D-MI)Rand Paul (R-KY)
JudiciaryDick Durbin (D-IL)Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Rules and AdministrationAmy Klobuchar (D-MN)Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Small Business and EntrepreneurshipBen Cardin (D-MD) until September 25, 2023
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) from September 27, 2023
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Veterans' AffairsJon Tester (D-MT)Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Select, permanent select and special committees

CommitteeChairRanking Member/Vice Chair
Aging (Special)Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA)Mike Braun (R-IN)
Ethics (Select)Chris Coons (D-DE)James Lankford (R-OK)
Indian Affairs (Permanent Select)Brian Schatz (D-HI)Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Intelligence (Select)Mark Warner (D-VA)Marco Rubio (R-FL)
International Narcotics Control (Permanent Caucus)Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

House of Representatives committees

CommitteeChairRanking Member
AgricultureGlenn Thompson (R-PA)David Scott (D-GA)
AppropriationsKay Granger (R-TX) until April 10, 2024
Tom Cole (R-OK) from April 10, 2024
Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Armed ServicesMike Rogers (R-AL)Adam Smith (D-WA)
BudgetJodey Arrington (R-TX)Brendan Boyle (D-PA)
Education and the WorkforceVirginia Foxx (R-NC)Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Energy and CommerceCathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
EthicsMichael Guest (R-MS)Susan Wild (D-PA)
Financial ServicesPatrick McHenry (R-NC)Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Foreign AffairsMichael McCaul (R-TX)Gregory Meeks (D-NY)
Homeland SecurityMark Green (R-TN)Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
House AdministrationBryan Steil (R-WI)Joe Morelle (D-NY)
Intelligence (Permanent Select)Mike Turner (R-OH)Jim Himes (D-CT)
JudiciaryJim Jordan (R-OH)Jerry Nadler (D-NY)
Natural ResourcesBruce Westerman (R-AR)Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
Oversight and ReformJames Comer (R-KY)Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
RulesTom Cole (R-OK) until April 10, 2024
Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) from April 10, 2024
Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Science, Space and TechnologyFrank Lucas (R- OK)Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Small BusinessRoger Williams (R-TX)Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)
Transportation and InfrastructureSam Graves (R-MO)Rick Larsen (D-WA)
Veterans' AffairsMike Bost (R-IL)Mark Takano (D-CA)
Ways and MeansJason Smith (R-MO)Richard Neal (D-MA)

Joint committees

CommitteeChairVice ChairRanking MemberVice Ranking Member
EconomicSen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ)Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
LibrarySen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY)Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE)
PrintingRep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE)Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY)
Taxation[z]Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO)Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)

Officers and officials

Congressional officers

Senate officers

House of Representatives officers

See also

Notes

References