The Ninety-ninth 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, 1985 to January 3, 1987, during the fifth and sixth years of Ronald Reagan's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the Twentieth Census of the United States in 1980. The Republicans maintained control of the Senate, while the Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.
January 20, 1985: Ronald Reagan was privately sworn in for a second term as U.S. President (publicly sworn in, January 21).
January 28, 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster: Destruction of the shuttle and death of the crew shortly after lift-off.
April 15, 1986: Operation El Dorado Canyon: At least 15 people die after United States planes bomb targets in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the Benghazi region.
October 21, 1986: The Marshall Islands achieved independence from U.S.-administered UN Trusteeship and became an associated state under the Compact of Free Association.
November 3, 1986: The Federated States of Micronesia achieved independence from U.S.-administered UN Trusteeship and became an associated state under the Compact of Free Association.
November 3, 1986: Iran–Contra affair: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa reported that the United States has been selling weapons to Iran in secret to secure the release of American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.
November 4, 1986: United States general elections, 1986: Congressional Democrats regained (+8) their Senate majority (55-45), and slightly increased (+5) their House majority (258-177).
December 12, 1985: Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget Act) Pub.L. 99–177 (title II)
December 17, 1985: Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, Pub.L. 99–185
April 7, 1986: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) Pub.L. 99–272 (including Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)
May 19, 1986: Firearm Owners Protection Act, Pub.L. 99–308
October 1, 1986: Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 (Defense Reorganization), Pub.L. 99–433
October 2, 1986: Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, Pub.L. 99–440
October 17, 1986: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Pub.L. 99–499 (title III)
October 21, 1986: Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, Pub.L. 99–508
October 22, 1986: Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub.L. 99–514
October 27, 1986: Anti-Drug Abuse Act, Pub.L. 99–570
October 31, 1986: Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Pub.L. 99–592
November 6, 1986: Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (Simpson-Mazzoli Act), Pub.L. 99–603, S. 1200
November 17, 1986: Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Pub.L. 99–662
President of the Senate: George Bush (R)
President pro tempore: Strom Thurmond
Majority Leader: Bob Dole
Majority Whip: Alan K. Simpson
Conference Chairman: John Chafee
Republican Conference Secretary: Thad Cochran
National Senatorial Committee Chair: H. John Heinz III
Policy Committee Chairman: William L. Armstrong
Minority Leader: Robert Byrd
Minority Whip: Alan Cranston
Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
Campaign Committee Chairman: George J. Mitchell
Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)
Majority Leader: Jim Wright
Majority Whip: Tom Foley
Chief Deputy Majority Whip: William Vollie Alexander Jr.
Democratic Caucus Chairman: Dick Gephardt
Caucus Secretary: Mary Rose Oakar
Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Tony Coelho
Minority Leader: Robert H. Michel
Minority Whip: Trent Lott
Chief Deputy Whip: Tom Loeffler
Conference Chair: Jack Kemp
Conference Vice-Chair: Lynn Morley Martin
Conference Secretary: Robert J. Lagomarsino
Policy Committee Chairman: Dick Cheney
Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Congressional Arts Caucus
Congressional Automotive Caucus
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Pediatric & Adult Hydrocephalus 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 six years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress.
Lists of committees and their party leaders.
Aging (Special) (Chair: H. John Heinz III)
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (Chair: Jesse Helms)
Appropriations (Chair: Mark Hatfield)
Agriculture and Related Agencies
Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary
Defense
District of Columbia
Energy and Water Development
Foreign Operations
HUD-Independent Agencies
Interior
Labor-Health, Education and Welfare
Legislative Branch
Military Construction
Transportation
Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
Armed Services (Chair: Barry Goldwater)
Military Construction
Strategic and Theater Nuclear Forces
Preparedness
Sea Power and Force Projection
Manpower and Personnel
Defense Acquisition Policy
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (Chair: Jake Garn)
Housing and Urban Affairs
International Finance and Monetary Policy
Financial Institutions and Consumer Affairs
Securities
Economic Policy
Budget (Chair: Pete Domenici)
Commerce, Science and Transportation (Chair: John Danforth)
Aviation
Business, Trade and Tourism
Communications
Consumer
Merchant Marine
Science, Technology and Space
Surface Transportation
National Ocean Policy Study
Energy and Natural Resources (Chair: James A. McClure)
Energy Conservation and Supply
Natural Resources Development and Production
Energy Research and Development
Water and Power
Public Lands, Reserved Water and Resource Conservation
Environment and Public Works (Chair: Robert Stafford)
Environmental Pollution
Nuclear Regulation
Water Resources
Transportation
Regional and Community Development
Toxic Substances and Environmental Oversight
Ethics (Select) (Chair: Warren Rudman)
Finance (Chair: Bob Packwood)
Taxation and Debt Management
International Trade
Savings, Pensions and Investment Policy
Economic Growth, Employment and Revenue
Energy and Agricultural Taxation
Health
Social Security and Income Maintenance Programs
Estate and Gift Taxation
Oversight of the Internal Revenue Service
Foreign Relations (Chair: Richard Lugar)
Western Hemisphere Affairs
International Economic Policy, Oceans and Environment
African Affairs
Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
European Affairs
East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Governmental Affairs (Chair: William V. Roth Jr.)
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
Governmental Efficiency and the District of Columbia
Energy, Nuclear Proliferation and Federal Services
Intergovernmental Relations
Civil Service, Post Office and General Services
Oversight of Government Management
Impeachment of Harry E. Claiborne (Select) (Chair: Charles Mathias)
Indian Affairs (Select) (Chair: Mark Andrews)
Judiciary (Chair: Strom Thurmond)
Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks
Criminal Law
Constitution
Immigration and Refugee Policy
Courts
Administration Practice and Procedure
Security and Terrorism
Juvenile Justice
Intelligence (Select) (Chair: David Durenberger)
Labor and Human Resources (Chair: Orrin Hatch)
Labor
Education, Arts and Humanities
Employment and Productivity
Handicapped
Children, Family, Drugs and Alcoholism
Aging
Nutrition and Human Needs (Select)
Rules and Administration (Chair: Charles Mathias)
Security and Cooperation in Europe (Special)
Small Business (Chair: Lowell P. Weicker Jr.)
Urban and Rural Economic Development
Government Procurement
Productivity and Competition
Innovation and Technology
Export Promotion and Market Development
Small Business Family Farm
Entrepreneurship and Special Problems Facing Small Business
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Frank Murkowski)
Whole
Aging (Select)
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
Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary
Defense
District of Columbia
Energy and Water Development
Foreign Operations
HUD-Independent Agencies
Interior
Labor-Health and Human Services
Legislative
Military Construction
Transportation
Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
Armed Services (Chair: Les Aspin)
Military Personnel and Compensation
Research and Development
Seapower, Strategic and Critical Materials
Procurement and Military Nuclear Systems
Investigations
Readiness
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Panel
Military Installations and Facilities
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs (Chair: Fernand St. Germain)
Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance
Housing and Community Development
Consumer Affairs and Coinage
Domestic Monetary Policy
International Finance, Trade and Monetary Policy
General Oversight and Renegotiation
Economic Stabilization
International Development Institutions and Finance
Budget (Chair: William H. Gray)
Defense and International Affairs
Economic Policy
Budget Process
State and Local Government
Human Resources
Community and Natural Resources
Health
Income Security
Children, Youth and Families (Select)
District of Columbia (Chair: Ron Dellums)
Fiscal Affairs and Health
Government Operations and Metropolitan Affairs
Judiciary and Education
Education and Labor (Chair: Augustus F. Hawkins)
Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education
Postsecondary Education
Health and Safety
Labor-Management Relations
Labor Standards
Human Resources
Select Education
Employment Opportunities
Energy and Commerce (Chair: John Dingell)
Oversight and Investigations
Health and the Environment
Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance
Fossil and Synthetic Fuels
Commerce, Transportation and Tourism
Energy Conservation and Power
Foreign Affairs (Chair: Dante Fascell)
Arms Control, International Security and Science
Europe and the Middle East
Human Rights and International Organizations
International Economic Policy and Trade
Asian and Pacific Affairs
International Operations
Western Hemisphere Affairs
Africa
Government Operations (Chair: Jack Brooks)
Legislation and National Security
Government Activities and Transportation
Government Information and Individual Rights
Ingovernmental Relations and Human Resources
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs
Employment and Housing
House Administration (Chair: Frank Annunzio)
Accounts
Services
Office Systems
Personnel and Police
Elections
Procurement and Printing
Hunger (Select)
Interior and Insular Affairs (Chair: Mo Udall)
Energy and the Environment
Public Lands
General Oversight, Northwest Power and Forest Management
Water and Power Resources
Mining and Natural Resources
National Parks and Recreation
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
Oceangraphy
Panama Canal and Outer Continental Stuff
Coast Guard and Navigation
Oversight and Investigations
Narcotics Abuse and Control (Select)
Post Office and Civil Service
Civil Service
Census and Population
Postal Operations and Services
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Human Resources
Investigations
Postal Personnel and Modernization
Public Works and Transportation (Chair: James J. Howard)
Aviation
Economic Development
Investigations and Oversight
Public Buildings and Grounds
Surface Transportation
Water Resources
Rules (Chair: Claude Pepper)
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
Transportation, Aviation and Materials
Investigations and Oversight
Space Science and Applications
Small Business (Chair: Parren Mitchell)
SBA and SBIC Authority, Minority Enterprise and General Small Business Problems
General Oversight and the Economy
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: Julian C. Dixon)
Veterans' Affairs (Chair: Gillespie V. Montgomery)
Oversight and Investigations
Hospitals and Health Care
Education, Training and Employment
Compensation, Pension and Insurance
Housing and Memorial Affairs
Ways and Means (Chair: Dan Rostenkowski)
Trade
Oversight
Select Revenue Measures
Health
Social Security
Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation
Whole
Economic
Taxation
Library
Printing
Architect of the Capitol: George M. White
Attending Physician of the United States Congress: Freeman H. Cary (until 1986), William Narva (starting 1986)
Comptroller General of the United States: Charles A. Bowsher
Director of the Congressional Budget Office: Rudolph G. Penner
Librarian of Congress: Daniel J. Boorstin
Public Printer of the United States: Ralph E. Kennickell, Jr.
Chaplain: Richard C. Halverson
Historian: Richard A. Baker
Parliamentarian: Bob Dove
Secretary: Jo-Anne L. Coe
Secretary for the Majority: Howard O. Greene, Jr.
Secretary for the Minority: David Pratt
Sergeant at Arms: Larry E. Smith (until June 3, 1985), Ernest W. Garcia (starting June 3, 1985)
Chaplain: James David Ford
Clerk: Benjamin J. Guthrie
Doorkeeper: James T. Molloy
Historian: Ray Smock
Parliamentarian: William H. Brown
Postmaster: Robert V. Rota
Sergeant at Arms: Jack Russ
