97th United States Congress
The 97th 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, 1981, to January 3, 1983, during the final weeks of Jimmy Carter's presidency and the first two years of Ronald Reagan's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1970 United States census.
While the House of Representatives retained a Democratic majority, the Republicans gained control of the Senate, marking the first time that they had control of either chamber of Congress since the 83rd Congress in 1953.
Major events
- Early 1980s recession
- January 20, 1981: Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan
- January 20, 1981: Iran hostage crisis ended
- February 18, 1981: President Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress
- March 30, 1981: Reagan assassination attempt
- April 12, 1981: First space shuttle launched
- June 5, 1981: First recognized case of AIDS
- August 5, 1981: President Reagan fired the air traffic controllers
- September 21, 1981: Senate confirmed the first female United States Supreme Court justice, Sandra Day O'Connor
- April 21, 1982: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands addressed a joint meeting of Congress.
- November 2, 1982: United States general elections; Republicans 1982 [United States Senate elections|retained Senate] and Democrats House of Representatives elections|increased control in House].
Major legislation
- August 13, 1981: Economic Recovery Tax Act,,
- August 13, 1981: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981,,
- September 3, 1982: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982,,
- September 8, 1982: Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act,,
- September 13, 1982: Codification of Title 31 of [the United States Code], "Money and Finance",,
- September 20, 1982: Bus Regulatory Reform Act,,
- October 13, 1982: Job Training Partnership Act of 1982,,
- October 15, 1982: Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act,,
Special or select committees
- Senate Select Committee on Small Business — Became a standing committee on March 25, 1981
- United States Senate Select Committee on Law Enforcement Undercover Activities of the Justice Department — March 24, 1982 – December 15, 1982
Leadership
Senate
- President: Walter Mondale, until January 20, 1981
- *George H. W. Bush, from January 20, 1981
- President pro tempore: Strom Thurmond
Majority (Republican) leadership
- Majority Leader: Howard Baker
- Majority Whip: Ted Stevens
- Republican Conference Chairman: James A. McClure
- Republican Conference Secretary: Jake Garn
- National Senatorial Committee Chair: Bob Packwood
- Policy Committee Chairman: John Tower
Minority (Democratic) leadership
- Minority Leader: Robert Byrd
- Minority Whip: Alan Cranston
- Democratic Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Wendell Ford
House of Representatives
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader: Jim Wright
- Majority Whip: Tom Foley
- Chief Deputy Majority Whip: William Vollie Alexander Jr.
- Democratic Caucus Chairman: Gillis William Long
- Democratic Caucus Secretary: Geraldine Ferraro
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Tony Coelho
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: Robert H. Michel
- Minority Whip: Trent Lott
- Chief Deputy Whip: David F. Emery
- Republican Conference Chairman: Jack Kemp
- Republican Conference Vice-Chairman: Jack Edwards
- Republican Conference Secretary: Clair Burgener
- Policy Committee Chairman: Dick Cheney
- Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Caucuses
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus
- Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
- Congresswomen's Caucus
- House Democratic Caucus
- Senate Democratic Caucus
Members
This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district.Senate
Senators are popularly elected statewide every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress, In this Congress, Class 1 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring reelection in 1982; Class 2 meant their term began in the last Congress, requiring reelection in 1984; and Class 3 meant their term began in this Congress, requiring reelection in 1986.Delaware">List of United States senators from Delaware">Delaware
Kansas">List of United States senators from Kansas">Kansas
Mississippi">List of United States senators from Mississippi">Mississippi
New York">List of United States senators from New York">New York
South Carolina">List of United States senators from South Carolina">South Carolina
West Virginia">List of United States senators from West Virginia">West Virginia
House of Representatives
Representatives are listed by their district numbers.Delaware">List of United States representatives from Delaware">Delaware
Kansas">List of United States representatives from Kansas">Kansas
Mississippi">List of United States representatives from Mississippi">Mississippi
New York">List of United States representatives from New York">New York
South Carolina">List of United States representatives from South Carolina">South Carolina
West Virginia">List of United States representatives from West Virginia">West Virginia
Changes in membership
Senate
There were 2 resignations.House of Representatives
There were 4 deaths, 4 resignations, one declared vacancy, and one party change.Committees
Senate
- Aging (Special)
- Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry|Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry]
- * Soil and Water Conservation
- * Agricultural Credit and Rural Electrification
- * Agricultural Production, Marketing and Stabilization of Prices
- * Agricultural Research and General Legislation
- * Rural Development, Oversight and Investigations
- * Foreign Agricultural Policy
- * Nutrition
- * Foreign, Water Resources and Environment
- Appropriations
- * Agriculture and Related Agencies
- * Defense
- * District of Columbia
- * Energy and Water Development
- * Foreign Operations
- * HUD-Independent Agencies
- * Interior
- * Labor-Health, Education and Welfare
- * Legislative
- * Military Construction
- * State, Justice, Commerce and Judiciary
- * Transportation
- * Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
- Armed Services
- * Military Construction
- * Tactical Warfare
- * Strategic and Theater Nuclear Forces
- * Preparedness
- * Sea Power and Force Projection
- * Manpower and Personnel
- Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
- * Housing and Urban Affairs
- * Financial Institutions
- * Finance and Monetary Policy|International Finance and Monetary Policy]
- * Economic Policy|Economic Policy]
- * Securities
- * Rural Housing and Development
- * Consumer Affairs
- Budget
- Commerce, Science and Transportation
- * Aviation
- * Business, Trade and Tourism
- * Communications
- * Consumer
- * Merchant Marine
- * Science, Technology and Space
- * Surface Transportation
- Energy and Natural Resources
- * Energy Conservation and Supply
- * Energy Regulation
- * Energy Research and Development
- * Energy and Mineral Resources
- * Water and Power
- * Public Lands and Reserved Water
- Environment and Public Works
- * Environmental Pollution
- * Nuclear Regulation
- * Water Resources
- * Transportation
- * Toxic Substances and Environmental Oversight
- * Regional and Community Development
- Ethics (Select)
- Finance
- * Taxation and Debt Management
- * International Trade
- * Savings, Pensions and Investment Policy
- * Economic Growth, Employment and Revenue Sharing
- * Energy and Agricultural Taxation
- * Estate and Gift Taxation
- * Oversight of the Internal Revenue Service|Oversight of the Internal Revenue Service]
- Foreign Relations
- * International Economic Policy
- * Arms Control, Oceans, International Operations and Environment
- * Western Hemisphere Affairs
- * East Asian and Pacific Affairs
- * European Affairs
- * International Economic Policy
- * African Affairs
- * Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
- * Arms Control, Oceans, International Operations and Environment
- Governmental Affairs
- * Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
- * Intergovernmental Relations
- * Governmental Efficiency and the District of Columbia
- * Energy, Nuclear Proliferation and Federal Services
- * Federal Expenditures, Research and Rules
- * Civil Service, Post Office and General Services
- * Oversight of Government Management
- * Congressional Operations and Oversight
- Indian Affairs (Select)
- Judiciary
- * Criminal Law
- * Regulatory Reform
- * Constitution
- * Courts
- * Immigration and Refugee Policy
- * Separation of Powers
- * Agency Administration
- * Security and Terrorism
- * Juvenile Justice
- Intelligence (Select)
- Labor and Human Resources
- * Labor
- * Education, Arts and Humanities
- * Employment and Productivity
- * Handicapped
- * Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
- * Aging, Family and Human Services
- * Investigations and General Oversight
- Nutrition and Human Needs (Select)
- Rules and Administration
- Small Business
- Capital Formation and Retention
- Government Regulation and Paperwork
- Urban and Rural Economic Development
- Government Procurement
- Productivity and Competition
- Innovation and Technology
- Export Promotion and Market Development
- Advocacy and Future of Small Business
- Veterans' Affairs
- Whole
House of Representatives
- Aging (Select)
- Agriculture
- * Cotton, Rice and Sugar
- * Livestock, Dairy and Poultry
- * Tobacco and Peanuts
- * Wheat, Soybeans and Feed Grains
- * Conservation Credit and Rural Development
- * Department Operations Research and Foreign Agriculture
- * Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations and Nutrition
- * Forests, Family Farms and Energy
- Appropriations
- * Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies
- * Defense
- * District of Columbia
- * Energy and Power
- * Foreign Operations
- * HUD-Independent Agencies
- * Interior
- * Labor-Health and Human Services
- * Legislative
- * Military Construction
- * Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary
- * Transportation
- * Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
- Armed Services
- * Research and Development
- * Seapower, Strategic and Critical Materials
- * Procurement and Military Nuclear Systems
- * Investigations
- * Military Personnel and Compensation
- * Military Installations and Facilities
- * Readiness
- Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
- * Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance
- * Housing and Community Development
- * General Oversight and Renegotiation
- * Consumer Affairs and Coinage
- * International Development Institutions and Finance
- * Domestic Monetary Policy
- * International Trade, Investment and Monetary Policy
- * Economic Stabilization
- Budget
- District of Columbia
- * Fiscal Affairs and Health
- * Government Operations and Metropolitan Affairs
- * Judiciary and Education
- Education and Labor
- * Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education
- * Employment Opportunities
- * Labor-Management Relations
- * Health and Safety
- * Human Resources
- * Postsecondary Education
- * Labor Standards
- * Select Education
- Energy and Commerce
- * Oversight and Investigations
- * Energy Conservation and Power
- * Health and the Environment
- * Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance
- * Fossil and Synthetic Fuels
- * Commerce, Transportation and Tourism
- Foreign Affairs
- * International Security and Scientific Affairs
- * International Operations
- * Europe and the Middle East
- * Asian and Pacific Affairs
- * International Economic Policy and Trade
- * Human Rights and International Organizations
- * Africa
- * Inter-American Affairs
- Government Operations
- * Legislation and National Security
- * Ingovernmental Relations and Human Resources
- * Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs
- * Manpower and Housing
- * Government Activities and Transportation
- * Government Information and Individual Rights
- * Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
- House Administration
- * Accounts
- * Contracts and Printing
- * Services
- * Office Systems
- * Personnel and Police
- * Policy Group on Information and Computers
- Insular Affairs
- * Energy and the Environment
- * Water and Power Resources
- * Public Lands and National Lands
- * Insular Affairs
- * Mines and Mining
- * Oversight and Investigations
- Judiciary
- * Immigration, Refugees and International Law
- * Administrative Law and Governmental Relations
- * Courts, Civil Liberties and the Administration of Justice
- * Civil and Constitutional Rights
- * Monopolies and Commercial Law
- * Crime
- * Criminal Justice
- Merchant Marine and Fisheries
- * Merchant Marine
- * Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation and the Environment
- * Coast Guard and Navigation
- * Oceangraphy
- * Panama Canal and Outer Continental Stuff
- Narcotics Abuse and Control (Select)
- Post Office and Civil Service
- * Investigations
- * Postal Operations and Services
- * Civil Service
- * Compensation and Employee Benefits
- * Census and Population
- * Postal Personnel and Modernization
- * Human Resources
- Public Works and Transportation
- * Aviation
- * Economic Development
- * Investigations and Oversight
- * Public Buildings and Grounds
- * Surface Transportation
- * Water Resources
- Rules
- * The Legislative Process
- * Rules of the House
- Science and Technology
- * Energy Development and Applications
- * Natural Resources, Agriculture Research and Environment
- * Energy Research and Production
- * Science, Research and Technology
- * Space Science and Applications
- * Transportation, Aviation and Materials
- * Investigations and Oversight
- Small Business
- * SBA and SBIC Authority, Minority Enterprise and General Small Business Problems
- * General Oversight
- * Antitrust and Restraint of Trade Activities affecting Small Business
- * Energy, Environment and Safety Issues affecting Small Business
- * Tax, Access to Equity Capital and Business Opportunities
- * Export Opportunities and Special Small Business Problems
- Standards of Official Conduct
- Veterans' Affairs
- * Oversight and Investigations
- * Hospitals and Health Care
- * Education, Training and Employment
- * Compensation, Pension and Insurance
- * Housing and Memorial Affairs
- Ways and Means
- * Trade
- * Social Security
- * Oversight
- * Select Revenue Measures
- * Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation
- * Health
- Whole
Joint committees
Employees
Legislative branch agency directors
- Architect of the Capitol: George Malcolm White
- Attending Physician of the United States Congress: Freeman H. Cary
- Comptroller General of the United States: Elmer B. Staats, until March 3, 1981
- * Charles A. Bowsher, starting date unknown in 1981
- Director of the Congressional Budget Office: Alice M. Rivlin
- Librarian of Congress: Daniel J. Boorstin
- Public Printer of the United States: Danford L. Sawyer Jr.
Senate
- Chaplain: Edward L.R. Elson, until February 9, 1981
- * Richard C. Halverson, from February 9, 1981
- Curator: James R. Ketchum
- Historian: Richard A. Baker
- Parliamentarian: Robert Dove
- Secretary: William Hildenbrand
- Librarian: Roger K. Haley
- Sergeant at Arms: Howard S. Liebengood
- Secretary for the Majority: Howard O. Greene Jr.
- Secretary for the Minority: Walter J. Stewart, until September 1, 1981
- * Terrence E. Sauvain, from September 1, 1981