The Ninety-fifth 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, DC from January 3, 1977 to January 3, 1979, during the first two years of the administration of U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the Nineteenth Census of the United States in 1970. Both chambers had a Democratic majority. It was the first time either party held a filibuster-proof 60% super majority in both the Senate and House chambers since the 89th United States Congress in 1965, and last time until the 111th United States Congress in 2009. All three super majorities were Democratic party and also were accompanied by Democratic Presidents. As of 2015, this is the most recent Congress to approve an amendment (the unratified District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment) to the Constitution.
January 20, 1977: Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale
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
Project MKULTRA — (Church Committee, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senate Human Resources subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research)
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 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 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 9, 1978: National Energy Conservation Policy Act, Pub.L. 95–619, 92 Stat. 3206
August 22, 1978: District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment (unratified; ratification period expired in 1985)
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"
President of the Senate: 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 Leader: Robert Byrd
Majority Whip: Alan Cranston
Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
Campaign Committee Chairman: Wendell H. Ford
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
Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)
Majority Leader: Jim Wright
Majority Whip: John Brademas
Chief Deputy Majority Whip: Dan Rostenkowski
Democratic Caucus Chairman: Tom Foley
Caucus Secretary: Shirley Chisholm
Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: James C. Corman
Minority Leader: John Jacob Rhodes
Minority Whip: Robert H. Michel
Conference Chair: John B. Anderson
Conference Vice-Chair: Samuel L. Devine
Conference Secretary: Jack Edwards
Policy Committee Chairman: Del M. Clawson
Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
House Democratic Caucus
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.
The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress.
replacements: 11
Democratic: 3 seat net loss
Republican: 3 seat net gain
deaths: 4
resignations: 5
vacancy:
Total seats with changes: 9
replacements: 6
Democratic: 4 seat net loss
Republican: 4 seat net gain
deaths: 6
resignations: 21
contested election:
Total seats with changes: 25
Lists of committees and their party leaders.
Aging (Special) (Chair: Frank Church)
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (Chair: Herman Talmadge)
Environment, Soil Conservation and Forestry
Agricultural Credit and Rural Electrification
Agricultural Production, Marketing and Stabilization of Prices
Agricultural Research and General Legislation
Rural Development
Foreign Agricultural Policy
Nutrition
Appropriations (Chair: Warren Magnuson)
Agriculture and Related Agencies
Defense
District of Columbia
Foreign Operations
HUD-Independent Agencies
Interior
Labor, Health, Education and Welfare
Legislative
Military Construction
Public Works
State, Justice, Commerce and the Judiciary
Transportation
Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
Armed Services (Chair: John C. Stennis)
Intelligence
General Procurement
Military Construction and Stockfiles
Arms Control
Tactical Aircraft
Research and Development
General Legislation
Manpower and Personnel
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (Chair: William Proxmire)
Federal Credit Programs
Housing and Urban Affairs
Financial Institutions
Securities
International Finance
Production and Stabilization
Consumer Affairs
Rural Housing
Budget (Chair: Edmund Muskie)
Commerce, Science and Transportation (Chair: Howard Cannon)
Aviation
Communications
Consumer
Merchant Marine and Tourism
Science, Technology and Space
Surface Transportation
Energy and Natural Resources (Chair: Henry M. Jackson)
Public Lands and Resources
Parks and Recreation
Energy Production and Supply
Energy Conservation and Regulation
Energy R&D
Environment and Public Works (Chair: Jennings Randolph)
Environmental Pollution
Water Resources
Transportation
Regional and Community Development
Nuclear Regulation
Ethics (Select) (Chair: Adlai Stevenson III)
Finance (Chair: Russell B. Long)
Health
International Trade
Taxation and Debt Management Generally
Social Security
Energy and Foundations
Private Pension Plans and Employee Fringe Benefits
Unemployment Compensation, Revenue Sharing and Economic Problems
Administration of the Internal Revenue Code
Tourism and Sugar
Public Assistance
Foreign Relations (Chair: John Sparkman)
European Affairs
East Asian and Pacific Affairs
International Operations
Foreign Economic Policy
Arms Control, Oceans and International Environment
Western Hemisphere Affairs
Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
Foreign Assistance
African Affairs
Governmental Affairs (Chair: Abraham A. Ribicoff)
Investigations
Intergovernmental Relations
Reports, Accounting and Management
Governmental Efficiency and the District of Columbia
Federal Spending Practices and Open Government
Energy, Nuclear Proliferation and Federal Services
Civil Service and General Services
Human Resources (Chair: Harrison A. Williams)
Labor
Handicapped
Education, Arts and Humanities
Employment, Poverty and Migratory Labor
Health and Scientific Research
Aging
Child and Human Development
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Indian Affairs (Select) (Chair: James Abourezk)
Judiciary (Chair: James Eastland)
Intelligence (Select) (Chair: Daniel Inouye)
Nutrition and Human Needs (Select)
Rules and Administration (Chair: Howard Cannon, then Claiborne Pell)
Senate Committee System (Special)
Small Business (Select) (Chair: Gaylord Nelson)
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Alan Cranston)
Compensation and Pensions
Health and Readjustment
Housing, Insurance and Cemeteries
Whole
Aging (Select) (Chair: Claude Pepper)
Agriculture (Chair: Tom Foley)
Livestock and Grains
Tobacco
Cotton
Dairy and Poultry
Family Farms and Rural Development
Oilseeds and Rice
Tobacco
Conservation and Credit
Department, Investigations, Oversight and Research
Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations and Nutrition
Family Farms, Rural Development and Special Studies
Appropriations (Chair: George H. Mahon)
Agriculture and Related Agencies
Defense
District of Columbia
Foreign Operations
HUD-Independent Agencies
Interior
Labor-Health, Education and Welfare
Legislative
Military Construction
Public Works
State, Justice, Commerce and Judiciary
Transportation
Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
Armed Services (Chair: Charles Melvin Price)
Intelligence and Military Application of Nuclear Energy
Research and Development
Seapower, Strategic and Critical Materials
Investigations
Military Installations and Facilities
Military Personnel
Military Compensation
Assassinations (Select) (Chair: Henry B. Gonzalez)
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs (Chair: Henry S. Reuss)
The City
Housing and Community and Development
Economic Stabilization
Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance
International Development Institutions and Finance
General Oversight and Renegotiation
Consumer Affairs
Domestic Monetary Policy
Historic Preservation and Coinage
International Trade, Investment and Monetary Policy
Budget (Chair: Robert Giaimo)
Task Forces
Budget Process
Economic Policy
Tax Expenditures, Government Organization and Regulation
Distributive Impacts of Budget and Economic Policies
National Security
Human Resources
Community and Physical Resources
State and Local Government
Crime (Select)
District of Columbia (Chair: Charles Diggs)
Fiscal and Government Affairs
Judiciary
Economic Development
Education and Labor (Chair: Carl D. Perkins)
Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education
Labor-Management Relations
Labor Standards
Select Education
Employment Opportunites
Postsecondary Education
Compensation, Health and Safety
Economic Opportunity
Ethics (Select)
Government Operations (Chair: Jack Brooks)
Legislation and National Security
Intergovernmental Relations and Human Resources
Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Manpower and Housing
Government Activities and Transportation
Government Information and Individual Rights
House Administration (Chair: Frank Thompson)
Accounts
Libraries and Memorials
Printing
Personnel and Police
Contracts
Services
Office Systems
House Beauty Shop (Select)
Intelligence (Select) (Chair: Edward Boland)
Insular Affairs (Chair: Mo Udall)
Energy and the Environment
General Oversight and Alaska Lands
Mines and Mining
National Parks and Insular Affairs
Indian Affairs and Public Lands
Special Investigations
Water and Power Resources
International Relations (Chair: Clement J. Zablocki)
International Security and Scientific Affairs
International Operations
Africa
International Organizations
Europe and the Middle East
Asian and Pacific Affairs
International Economic Policy and Trade
Interstate and Foreign Commerce (Chair: Harley Orrin Staggers)
International Security and Scientific Affairs
Oversight and Investigations
Energy and Power
Health and the Environment
Communications
Transportation and Commerce
Consumer Protection and Finance
Judiciary (Chair: Peter W. Rodino)
Immigration, Citizenship 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 (Chair: John M. Murphy)
Merchant Marine
Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation and the Environment
Coast Guard and Navigation
Oceangraphy
Panama Canal
Maritime Education and Training (Ad Hoc)
Modernization of House Gallery Facilities (Special)
Narcotics Abuse and Control (Select)
Outer Continental Shelf (Ad Hoc/Select)
Post Office and Civil Service
Employee Ethics and Utilization
Civil Service
Investigations
Compensations and Employee Benefits
Postal Operations and Services
Census and Population
Postal Personnel and Modernization
Public Works and Transportation (Chair: Harold T. Johnson)
Aviation
Economic Development
Investigations and Review
Public Buildings and Grounds
Surface Transportation
Water Resources
Rules (Chair: James J. Delaney)
Science and Technology (Chair: Olin E. Teague)
Space Science and Applications
Fossil and Energy Research, Development and Demonstration
Advanced Energy Technologies, Energy Conservation, Development and Demonstration
Environment and the Atmosphere
Transportation, Aviation and Weather
Science, Research and Technology
Domestic and International Scientific Planning, Analysis and Cooperation
Small Business
SBA and SBIC Authority and General Small Business
Minority Enterprise and General Oversight
Antitrust and Restraint of Trade Activities Affecting Small Business
Energy, Environment, Safety and Research
Capital Investment and Business Opportunities
Special Small Business Problems
Standards of Official Conduct (Chair: L. Richardson Preyer)
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Ray Roberts)
Compensation, Pension and Insurance
Education and Training
Medical Facilities and Benefits
Housing
Cemeteries and Burial Benefits
Ways and Means (Chair: Al Ullman)
Social Security
Health
Trade
Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation
Oversight
Miscellaneous Revenue Measures
Whole
Atomic Energy
Congressional Operations
Defense Productions
Economic
Taxation
Library
Printing
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 (starting 1977)
Chaplain: Edward L.R. Elson
Historian: Richard A. Baker
Parliamentarian: Murray Zweben
Secretary: Francis R. Valeo (until March 31, 1977) J. Stanley Kimmitt (starting March 31, 1977)
Sergeant at Arms: Frank Hoffmann
Secretary for the Majority: Howard O. Greene, Jr.
Secretary for the Minority: Walter J. Stewart
Chaplain: Edward G. Latch
Clerk: Edmund L. Henshaw, Jr.
Doorkeeper: James T. Molloy
Parliamentarian: William Holmes Brown
Postmaster: Robert V. Rota
Sergeant at Arms: Kenneth R. Harding
