The Ninety-seventh 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 Nineteenth Census of the United States in 1970. The House of Representatives had a Democratic majority. The Republicans gained control of the Senate, the first time that Republicans gained control of any chamber of Congress since 1953.
Early 1980s recession
January 20, 1981: Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush
January 20, 1981: Iran hostage crisis ended
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 retained Senate and Democrats increased control in House.
August 13, 1981 – Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA or Kemp-Roth Tax Cut), Pub.L. 97–34, 95 Stat. 172
August 13, 1981 – Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Pub.L. 97–35, 95 Stat. 357
September 3, 1982 – Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub.L. 97–248, 96 Stat. 324
September 8, 1982 - Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act USFSPA, Pub.L. 97–252, 96 Stat. 730
September 20, 1982 – Bus Regulatory Reform Act, Pub.L. 97–261, 96 Stat. 1102
October 13, 1982 – Job Training Partnership Act of 1982, Pub.L. 97–300, 96 Stat. 1322
October 15, 1982 – Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act, Pub.L. 97–320, 96 Stat. 1469
January 6, 1983 – Surface Transportation Assistance Act, Pub.L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2140
January 7, 1983 – Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Pub.L. 97–425, 96 Stat. 2201
June 30, 1982 – Potential ratification of Equal Rights Amendment expired
Senate Select Committee on Small Business — Became a standing committee on March 25, 1981
Senate Select Committee on Law Enforcement Undercover Activities of the Justice Department — March 24, 1982 - December 15, 1982
President of the Senate: Walter Mondale (D), until January 20, 1981
George Bush (R), from January 20, 1981
President pro tempore: Strom Thurmond (R)
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 Leader: Robert Byrd
Minority Whip: Alan Cranston
Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
Campaign Committee Chairman: Wendell H. Ford
Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)
Majority Leader: Jim Wright
Majority Whip: Tom Foley
Chief Deputy Majority Whip: Bill Alexander
Caucus Chairman: Gillis William Long
Caucus Secretary: Geraldine Ferraro
Campaign Committee Chairman: Tony Coelho
Minority Leader: Robert H. Michel
Minority Whip: Trent Lott
Chief Deputy Whip: David F. Emery
Conference Chair: Jack Kemp
Conference Vice-Chair: Jack Edwards
Conference Secretary: Clair Burgener
Policy Committee Chairman: Dick Cheney
Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Congressional Arts Caucus
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
Congresswomen's Caucus
House Democratic Caucus
This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed in order of seniority, and Representatives are listed by district.
Senators are popularly elected statewide every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress.
Members of the House of Representatives are listed by their district numbers.
There were 2 resignations.
There were 4 deaths, 4 resignations, one declared vacancy, and one party change.
Lists of committees and their party leaders.
Aging (Special) (Chair: H. John Heinz III)
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (Chair: Jesse Helms)
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 (Chair: Mark Hatfield)
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 (Chair: John Tower)
Military Construction
Tactical Warfare
Strategic and Theater Nuclear Forces
Preparedness
Sea Power and Force Projection
Manpower and Personnel
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (Chair: Jake Garn)
Housing and Urban Affairs
Financial Institutions
International Finance and Monetary Policy
Economic Policy
Securities
Rural Housing and Development
Consumer Affairs
Budget (Chair: Pete Domenici)
Commerce, Science and Transportation (Chair: Bob Packwood)
Aviation
Business, Trade and Tourism
Communications
Consumer
Merchant Marine
Science, Technology and Space
Surface Transportation
Energy and Natural Resources (Chair: James A. McClure)
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 (Chair: Robert Stafford)
Environmental Pollution
Nuclear Regulation
Water Resources
Transportation
Toxic Substances and Environmental Oversight
Regional and Community Development
Ethics (Select) (Chair: Malcolm Wallop)
Finance (Chair: Bob Dole)
Taxation and Debt Management
International Trade
Savings, Pensions and Investment Policy
Economic Growth, Employment and Revenue
Energy and Foundations
Private Pension Plans and Employee Fringe Benefits
Tourism and Sugar
Public Assistance
Oversight of the Internal Revenue Service
Unemployment and Related Programs
Revenue Sharing, Ingovernmental Revenue Impact and Economic Problems
Foreign Relations (Chair: Charles H. Percy)
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 (Chair: William V. Roth Jr.)
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) (Chair: William Cohen)
Judiciary (Chair: Strom Thurmond)
Criminal Law
Regulatory Reform
Constitution
Courts
Immigration and Refugee Policy
Separation of Powers
Agency Administration
Security and Terrorism
Juvenile Justice
Intelligence (Select) (Chair: Barry Goldwater)
Labor and Human Resources (Chair: Orrin Hatch)
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 (Chair: Charles Mathias)
Small Business (Chair: Lowell P. Weicker Jr.)
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Alan K. Simpson)
Whole
Aging (Select) (Chair: Claude Pepper)
Agriculture (Chair: Kika de la Garza)
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 (Chair: Jamie L. Whitten)
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 (Chair: Charles Melvin Price)
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 (Chair: Fernand St. Germain)
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 (Chair: James Robert Jones)
District of Columbia (Chair: Ron Dellums)
Fiscal Affairs and Health
Government Operations and Metropolitan Affairs
Judiciary and Education
Education and Labor (Chair: Carl D. Perkins)
Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education
Employment Opportunities
Labor-Management Relations
Health and Safety
Human Resources
Postsecondary Education
Labor Standards
Select Education
Energy and Commerce (Chair: John Dingell)
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 (Chair: Clement J. Zablocki)
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 (Chair: Jack Brooks
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 (Chair: Augustus F. Hawkins)
Accounts
Contracts and Printing
Services
Office Systems
Personnel and Police
Policy Group on Information and Computers
Insular Affairs (Chair: Mo Udall)
Energy and the Environment
Water and Power Resources
Public Lands and National Lands
Insular Affairs
Mines and Mining
Oversight and Investigations
Judiciary (Chair: Peter W. Rodino)
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 (Chair: Walter B. Jones Sr.)
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 (Chair: James J. Howard)
Aviation
Economic Development
Investigations and Oversight
Public Buildings and Grounds
Surface Transportation
Water Resources
Rules (Chair: Richard Walker Bolling)
The Legislative Process
Rules of the House
Science and Technology (Chair: Don Fuqua)
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 (Chair: Parren Mitchell)
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 (Chair: Louis Stokes)
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Gillespie V. Montgomery)
Oversight and Investigations
Medical Facilities and Benefits
Education, Training and Employment
Compensation, Pension and Insurance
Housing and Memorial Affairs
Ways and Means (Chair: Dan Rostenkowski)
Trade
Social Security
Oversight
Select Revenue Measures
Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation
Health
Whole
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 (until March 3), 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.
Chaplain: Edward L.R. Elson (until February 9, 1981), Richard C. Halverson (starting February 9, 1981)
Historian: Richard A. Baker
Parliamentarian: Robert Dove
Secretary: J. Stanley Kimmitt (until January 4, 1981), W.F. Hildenbrand (starting January 4, 1981)
Sergeant at Arms: Frank Hoffmann (until January 4, 1981), Howard S. Liebengood (starting January 4, 1981)
Secretary for the Majority: Howard O. Greene, Jr.
Secretary for the Minority: Walter J. Stewart
Chaplain: James D. Ford
Clerk: Edmund L. Henshaw, Jr.
Doorkeeper: James T. Malloy
Parliamentarian: William Holmes Brown
Postmaster: Robert V. Rota
Reading Clerk of the United States House of Representatives: Meg Goetz
Sergeant at Arms: Benjamin J. Guthrie
