117th United States Congress

For a general discussion of the United States government's legislative branch, see United States Congress.

The 117th United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C., on January 3, 2021, during the final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency, and will end on January 3, 2023. It will meet during the first two years of Joe Biden's presidency.

117th United States Congress
116th ←
→ 118th
Capitol building with stairs.jpg
January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Members100 senators
435 representatives
6 non-voting delegates
Senate MajorityRepublican[a]
(until January 20, 2021)
Democratic
(from January 20, 2021)
Senate PresidentMike Pence (R)
(until January 20, 2021)
Kamala Harris (D)
(from January 20, 2021)
House MajorityDemocratic
House SpeakerNancy Pelosi (D)
Sessions
1st: January 3, 2021 – present

The 2020 elections decided control of both houses. In the House, the Democratic Party retained their majority. In the Senate, out of 100 seats, Republicans will hold 50, Democrats will hold 48, and Independents caucusing with the Democrats will hold two. With the tie-breaking vote of the incoming vice president, Kamala Harris, who will take office on January 20, 2021, the Democratic caucus will control the Senate on that day.

Major events

 
2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol (January 6, 2021)
 
Construction of the inaugural platform at the U.S. Capitol

Major legislation

Enacted

Main article: List of acts of the 117th United States Congress

Proposed (but not enacted)

Main article: List of bills in the 117th United States Congress

Major resolutions

Adopted

  • H.Res. 21: Calling on Vice President Michael R. Pence to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald J. Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting President.
  • H.Res. 24 (Second impeachment of Donald Trump): Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Proposed

  • H.Res. 14: Censuring and condemning President Donald J. Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the November 2020 presidential election in the State of Georgia
  • H.Res. 25: Directing the Committee on Ethics to investigate, and issue a report on, whether any and all actions taken by Members of the 117th Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 Presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution or the Rules of the House of Representatives, and should face sanction, including removal from the House of Representatives.

Party summary

Resignations and new members are discussed in the "Changes in membership" section below.

Senate

  • Senate membership

  • Current (from January 18, 2021)

  • Begin (January 3, 2021 – January 18, 2021)

  Party
(shading shows control)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Independent
(caucusing with
Democrats)
 Republican
End of previous Congress 46 2 52 100 0
Begin (January 3, 2021)[a] 46 2 51 99 1
January 18, 2021[b] 45 98 2
January 20, 2021[b] 46 2 51 99 1
Late January, 2021[c] 48[d] 2 50 100 0
Latest voting share 48.0% 52.0%  

House of Representatives

  • House membership

  • Current (from January 15, 2021)

  • Begin (January 3, 2021 – January 15, 2021)

  Party
(shading shows control)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Independent Republican Other
End of previous Congress 233 1 195 1[e] 430 5
Begin (January 3, 2021)[f][g] 222 0 211 0 433 2
January 15, 2021[h] 221 432 3
Latest voting share 51.2% 0.0% 48.8% 0.0%  
Non-voting members 3 1[i] 2 1 6 0

Leadership

Note: Democrats refer to themselves as a "Caucus"; Republicans refer to themselves as a "Conference".

Senate

Senate President
 
Mike Pence (R),
until January 20, 2021
 
Kamala Harris (D),
from January 20, 2021
Senate President pro tempore
 
Chuck Grassley (R),
until January 20, 2021
 
Patrick Leahy (D),
from January 20, 2021

Presiding

Republican leadership
Democratic leadership

House of Representatives

House Speaker
 
Nancy Pelosi (D)

Presiding

See also: 2021 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election

Majority (Democratic) leadership

Minority (Republican) leadership

Members

Senate

For year of birth, when first took office, prior background, and education, see List of members of the United States Senate.

The numbers refer to their Senate classes. All class 1 senators are in the middle of their term (2019–2025), having been elected in 2018 and facing re-election in 2024. Class 2 senators are at the beginning of their term (2021–2027), having been elected in 2020. Class 3 senators are at the end of their term (2017–2023), facing re-election in 2022.

House of Representatives

All 435 seats were filled by election in November 2020.

Further information: List of current members of the United States House of Representatives

Changes in membership

Senate

See also: List of special elections to the United States Senate
State
(class) 		Vacator Reason for change Successor Date of successor's
formal installation[l]
Georgia
(2) 		Vacant Republican David Perdue's term expired January 3, 2021, before a runoff election could be held.
Successor elected January 5, 2021.[a]		 Jon Ossoff
(D) 		January 20, 2021
California
(3) 		Kamala Harris
(D) 		Incumbent resigned on January 18, 2021, to become U.S. Vice President.
An interim successor will continue the term.
It is unknown if California Governor Gavin Newsom will also call a special election to finish the term, or if Padilla will serve until the 2022 elections.[16]		 Alex Padilla
(D) 		January 20, 2021
Georgia
(3) 		Kelly Loeffler
(R) 		Interim appointee lost election to finish the term.
Successor elected January 5, 2021. 		Raphael Warnock
(D) 		January 20, 2021

House of Representatives

See also: List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives
District Vacator Reason for change Successor Date of successor's
formal installation[l]
Louisiana 5 Vacant Member-elect Luke Letlow (R) died December 29, 2020, before his term started.
A special election will be held March 20, 2021.[3]		 TBD TBD
New York 22 Vacant Anthony Brindisi's (D) term expired January 3, 2021, and the seat will remain vacant while votes from the 2020 election are being reviewed by a judge. TBD TBD
Louisiana 2 Cedric Richmond
(D) 		Resigned January 15, 2021, to become Senior Advisor to the President and director of the Office of Public Liaison.[17][18]
A special election will be held March 20, 2021.[17]		 TBD TBD
New Mexico 1 Deb Haaland
(D) 		Incumbent expected to resign to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior.[19]
A special election would then be held on a date TBD.[19]		 TBD TBD
Ohio 11 Marcia Fudge
(D) 		Incumbent expected to resign to become U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.[20]
A special election would then be held on a date TBD.[20]		 TBD TBD

Committees

Section contents: Senate, House, Joint

Listed by chamber and then alphabetically by committee name, including chair and ranking member.

Senate

Main article: List of United States Senate committees
Committee Chair Ranking Member
Aging (Special) Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) Susan Collins (R-ME)
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) TBD
Appropriations Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Richard Shelby (R-AL)
Armed Services Jack Reed (D-RI) Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Budget Bernie Sanders (I-VT) TBD
Commerce, Science and Transportation Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Energy and Natural Resources Joe Manchin (D-WV) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Environment and Public Works Tom Carper (D-DE) John Barrasso (R-WY)
Ethics (Select) Chris Coons (D-DE) James Lankford (R-OK)
Finance Ron Wyden (D-OR) Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Foreign Relations Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Jim Risch (R-ID)
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Patty Murray (D-WA) TBD
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Gary Peters (D-MI) Rob Portman (R-OH)
Indian Affairs (Permanent Select) TBD John Hoeven (R-ND)
Intelligence (Select) Mark Warner (D-VA) TBD
International Narcotics Control (Permanent Caucus) TBD John Cornyn (R-TX)
Judiciary TBD Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Rules and Administration Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Ben Cardin (D-MD) Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Veterans' Affairs Jon Tester (D-MT) Jerry Moran (R-KS)

House of Representatives

Main article: List of United States House of Representatives committees
Committee Chair Ranking Member
Agriculture David Scott (D-GA) Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Appropriations Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Kay Granger (R-TX)
Armed Services Adam Smith (D-WA) Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Budget John Yarmuth (D-KY) Jason Smith (R-MO)
Climate Crisis (Select) Kathy Castor (D-FL) TBD
Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth (Select) TBD TBD
Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA) Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Energy and Commerce Frank Pallone (D-NJ) Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Ethics Ted Deutch (D-FL) Jackie Walorski (R-IN)
Financial Services Maxine Waters (D-CA) Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Foreign Affairs Gregory Meeks (D-NY) Mike McCaul (R-TX)
Homeland Security Bennie Thompson (D-MS) John Katko (R-NY)
House Administration Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) Rodney Davis (R-IL)
Intelligence (Permanent Select) Adam Schiff (D-CA) Devin Nunes (R-CA)
Judiciary Jerry Nadler (D-NY) Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Modernization of Congress (Select) Derek Kilmer (D-WA) TBD
Natural Resources Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
Oversight and Reform Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) Jim Comer (R-KY)
Rules Jim McGovern (D-MA) Tom Cole (R-OK)
Science, Space and Technology Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) Frank Lucas (R-OK)
Small Business Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO)
Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) Sam Graves (R-MO)
Veterans' Affairs Mark Takano (D-CA) Mike Bost (R-IL)
Ways and Means Richard Neal (D-MA) Kevin Brady (R-TX)

Joint

Main article: List of current United States congressional joint committees
Committee Chair Vice Chair Ranking Member Vice Ranking Member
Economic TBD TBD TBD TBD
Inaugural Ceremonies (Special) Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Library Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) TBD TBD TBD
Printing TBD Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) TBD TBD
Taxation[m] Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) TBD TBD Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)


Officers and officials

Senate

House of Representatives

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e The Congress began on January 3, 2021, with 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats (including two independents who caucus with the Democrats) and one vacancy in the Senate. Georgia's class 2 seat is vacant from the beginning of the session until Democrat Jon Ossoff is seated on January 20, 2021, following his win in the runoff election on January 5, 2021. Republican Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to fill the remainder of Johnny Isakson's term for the state's class 3 seat, did not have to vacate her seat and has continued to serve until Democrat Raphael Warnock is certified as the winner of the special election runoff. The results were certified on January 19, and the new members are expected to be sworn in on January 20.[1]
  2. ^ a b c California Senator Kamala Harris (D) resigned on January 18, 2021, to become Vice President. Alex Padilla (D) was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, to continue the unexpired term, and will be sworn in on January 20, 2021.[2]
  3. ^ In Georgia: Jon Ossoff (D) will serve as the class 2 senator following the regular election, and Raphael Warnock (D) will replace interim appointee Kelly Loeffler (R) following a special election. The deadline for both elections to be certified is January 23.
  4. ^ Kamala Harris (D) will become U.S. Vice President on January 20, 2021, with the tie-breaking vote.
  5. ^ There was 1 Libertarian at the end of the previous Congress
  6. ^ a b In Louisiana's 5th district, member elect Luke Letlow (R) died December 29, 2020, before the term started.[3]
  7. ^ a b In New York's 22nd district, the term began with the previous election disputed.[4]
  8. ^ a b In Louisiana's 2nd district: Cedric Richmond (D) resigned January 15, 2021
  9. ^ a b c d Caucuses with Democrats.
  10. ^ a b c d e f The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is the Minnesota affiliate of the U.S. Democratic Party and its members are counted as Democrats.
  11. ^ Miller-Meeks was conditionally seated with the rest of the 117th Congress, pending the challenge by her opponent Rita Hart.[15]
  12. ^ a b When seated or oath administered, not necessarily when service began.
  13. ^ The Joint Taxation Committee leadership rotate the chair and vice chair and the ranking members between the House and Senate at the start of each session in the middle of the congressional term. The first session leadership is shown here.

References

  1. ^ Werner, Erica; Gardner, Amy (January 19, 2021). "Georgia certifies Ossoff and Warnock victories, paving way for Democratic control of Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Janes, Chelsea. "Kamala Harris resigns her Senate seat". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Hilburn, Greg (December 30, 2020). "Here's how the late Luke Letlow's congressional seat will be filled following his COVID death". The News-Star. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "NY-22 house seat to become vacant Jan. 3 with court case continuing into 2021". WBNG.com. December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Balluck, Kyle (November 10, 2020). "McConnell reelected as Senate GOP leader". TheHill. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Senate Leadership Elections | C-SPAN.org". c-span.org.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Swanson, Ian (November 10, 2020). "Senate Democrats reelect Schumer as leader by acclamation". TheHill. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e Treene, Alayna. "Nancy Pelosi re-elected as House Democratic leader". Axios.
  9. ^ Balluck, Kyle (November 19, 2020). "House Democrats pick Aguilar as No. 6 leader in next Congress". TheHill. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  10. ^ Ferris, Sarah; Mutnick, Ally (December 3, 2020). "Democrats elect Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney to lead campaign arm". POLITICO. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Zanona, Melanie (November 20, 2020). "Huddle: Trump's cronies hold steady". POLITICO. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  12. ^ a b McPherson, Lindsey (November 19, 2020). "House Democrats elect Aguilar, Allred in contested leadership elections". Roll Call. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Clyburn, Jim. "Whip Clyburn Announces Chief Deputy Whips for 117th Congress". House Majority Whip. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Bresnahan, John; Zanona, Melanie (November 17, 2020). "McCarthy heads into next Congress with eye on speaker's gavel". POLITICO. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  15. ^ Barton, Tom (January 5, 2021). "'States select electors, Congress does not': Miller-Meeks to vote to accept Biden win". QCTimes.com. The Quad-City Times. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  16. ^ Bowman, Bridget (November 7, 2020). "Win by Biden and Harris opens up California Senate seat". Roll Call. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Murphy, Paul (November 16, 2020). "Cedric Richmond will be Senior Advisor to the President; to resign House seat before inauguration". WWL-TV. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  18. ^ "Special Election - U.S. House of Representatives Second Congressional District" (PDF). State of Louisiana. January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Boyd, Dan; Boetel, Ryan. "Breaking: Haaland reportedly picked as Biden's interior secretary". www.abqjournal.com. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Nichola, Hans (December 8, 2020). "Biden to pick Vilsack for agriculture secretary, Fudge for HUD". Axios. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "U.S. Senate: Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper". Senate.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  22. ^ "Sergeant at Arms". House.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
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