110th United States Congress
110th United States Congress | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The One Hundred Tenth United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the second term of President George W. Bush. It was composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The apportionment of seats in the House was based on the 2000 U.S. census.
The Democratic Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995. Although the Democrats held fewer than 50 Senate seats, they had an operational majority because the two independent senators caucused with the Democrats for organizational purposes. No Democratic-held seats had fallen to the Republican Party in the 2006 elections.[2] Democrat Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House.[3] The House also received the first Muslim (Keith Ellison)[4][5] and Buddhist (Hank Johnson and Mazie Hirono)[6] members of Congress.
Major events
Members debated initiatives such as the Democrats' 100-Hour Plan and the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.[7][8][9]
Support for the Iraq War
Following President Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address, Congress debated his proposal to create a troop surge to increase security in Iraq. The House of Representatives passed a non-binding measure opposing the surge and then a $124 billion emergency spending measure to fund the war, which included language that dictated troop levels and withdrawal schedules. President Bush, however, vetoed the bill as promised, making this his second veto while in office. Both houses of Congress subsequently passed a bill funding the war without timelines, but with benchmarks for the Iraqi government and money for other spending projects like disaster relief.
Other events
- January 23, 2007: President Bush delivered the 2007 State of the Union Address
- August 2, 2007: The Republican minority disputed the results of a vote to recommit. This led to an investigation by the House Select Committee on Voting Irregularities.[10]
- December 18, 2007: The Senate set a record for the most cloture votes.[11]
- January 2008: Start of the Great Recession
- January 28, 2008: President Bush delivered the 2008 State of the Union Address
- September 15, 2008 The precipitation of global financial crisis intensifies a recession that began in January.
- November 4, 2008: General elections - Democrats increased their congressional majorities and Senator Barack Obama was elected President.
Major legislation
Contents: Enacted • Pending or failed • Vetoed |
These are partial lists of prominent enacted legislation and pending bills.
- See also: 2008 Congressional Record, Vol. 154, Page D845 , Resume of Congressional Activity
Enacted
- February 2, 2007 — House Page Board Revision Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–2, 121 Stat. 4
- May 25, 2007 — U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, Pub.L. 110–28, 121 Stat. 112, including Title VIII: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, 121 Stat. 188
- June 14, 2007 — Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–34, 121 Stat. 224
- July 26, 2007 — Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–49, 121 Stat. 246
- August 3, 2007 — Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–53, 121 Stat. 266
- August 5, 2007 — Protect America Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–55, 121 Stat. 552
- September 14, 2007 — Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, Pub.L. 110–81, 121 Stat. 735
- November 8, 2007 — Water Resources Development Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–114, 121 Stat. 1041 - Veto Overridden
- December 19, 2007 — Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub.L. 110–140, 121 Stat. 1492
- February 13, 2008 — Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110–185, 122 Stat. 613
- May 21, 2008 — Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, Pub.L. 110–233, 122 Stat. 881
- May 22, 2008 — Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 (2007 Farm Bill), Pub.L. 110–234, 122 Stat. 923 - Veto Overridden
- June 30, 2008 — Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110–252, 122 Stat. 2323, including Title V: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 ("G.I. Bill 2008")
- July 10, 2008 — FISA Amendments Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110–261, 122 Stat. 2436
- July 29, 2008 — Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110–286, 122 Stat. 2632
- July 30, 2008 — Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110–289, 122 Stat. 2654
- October 3, 2008 — Public Law 110-343 (Pub.L. 110–343), 122 Stat. 3765, including:
- October 15, 2008 — Pub.L. 110–430: Setting the beginning of the first session of the 111th Congress and the date for counting Electoral College votes, 122 Stat. 4846
- December 19, 2008 — Pub.L. 110–455: A Saxbe fix, reducing the compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of Secretary of State to that which was in effect on January 1, 2007: allowing Hillary Clinton to serve as Secretary of State despite the Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution.
More information: Public Laws for the 110th Congress and Complete index of Public and Private Laws for 110th Congress at GPO
Proposed, but not enacted
- in (alphabetical order)
- America's Climate Security Act of 2007
- Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act
- Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007
- Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act
- District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007
- Employee Free Choice Act
- Employment Non-Discrimination Act
- Executive Branch Reform Act of 2007
- Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007
- Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007
- Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007
- Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007
- Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007
- Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007
- Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008
- Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007
- State Children's Health Insurance Program
Vetoed
- Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (SCHIP, H.R. 976)
- Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (SCHIP, H.R. 3963)
- Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3043)
- Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5)
- Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (S. 1943)
- H.R. 1585: an earlier version of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
- H.R. 1591: an earlier version of U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007
Treaties ratified
- 110-1: Land-Based Sources Protocol to Cartagena Convention (September 25, 2008)
- 110-2: Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (December 7, 2007)
- 110-3: Tax Convention with Belgium (December 14, 2007)
- 110-4: International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (September 25, 2008)
- 110-6: Amendment to Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (September 25, 2008)
- 110-8: Protocols of 2005 to the Convention concerning Safety of Maritime Navigation and to the Protocol concerning Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf (September 25, 2008)
- 110-9: Protocol of Amendments to Convention on International Hydrographic Organization (July 21, 2008)
- 110-11: Extradition Treaty with Romania and Protocol to the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters with Romania (September 23, 2008)
- 110-12: Extradition Treaty with Bulgaria and an Agreement on Certain Aspects of Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters with Bulgaria (September 23, 2008)
- 110-13: International Convention on Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (September 26, 2008)
- 110-14: International Convention Against Doping in Sport (July 21, 2008)
- 110-15: Protocol Amending 1980 Tax Convention with Canada (September 23, 2008)
- 110-16: Amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 1992) (September 25, 2008)
- 110-17: Tax Convention with Iceland (September 23, 2008)
- 110-18: Tax Convention with Bulgaria with Proposed Protocol of Amendment (September 23, 2008)
- 110-20: Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on Accession of Albania and Croatia (September 25, 2008)
Select committees
- Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
- House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
- House Select Committee on the Voting Irregularities of August 2, 2007
Hearings
- Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy hearings - (House and Senate Judiciary Committees)
Party summary
Senate
Membership changed with one death and two resignations.
Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) |
Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Independent | Republican | Vacant | ||
End of previous Congress | 44 | 1 | 55 | 100 | 0 |
Begin | 49 | 2[12][13] | 49 | 100 | 0 |
June 4, 2007 | 48 | 99 | 1 | ||
June 25, 2007 | 49 | 100 | 0 | ||
December 18, 2007 | 48 | 99 | 1 | ||
December 31, 2007 | 49 | 100 | 0 | ||
November 16, 2008 | 48 | 99 | 1 | ||
Final voting share | 50.5% | 49.5% | |||
Beginning of the next Congress | 55 | 2 | 41 | 98 | 2 |
House of Representatives
Membership fluctuated with seven deaths and eight resignations. Democrats achieved a net gain of three seats as a result of their victories in special elections. See Changes in membership, below.
Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) |
Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Republican | Vacant | |||
End of previous Congress | 203[14] | 229 | 432 | 3 | |
Begin | 233 | 202 | 435 | 0 | |
February 13, 2007 | 201 | 434 | 1 | ||
April 22, 2007 | 232 | 433 | 2 | ||
July 1, 2007 | 231 | 432 | 3 | ||
July 17, 2007 | 202 | 433 | 2 | ||
August 21, 2007 | 232 | 434 | 1 | ||
September 5, 2007 | 201 | 433 | 2 | ||
October 10, 2007 | 200 | 432 | 3 | ||
October 16, 2007 | 233 | 433 | 2 | ||
November 26, 2007 | 199 | 432 | 3 | ||
December 11, 2007 | 201 | 434 | 1 | ||
December 15, 2007 | 232 | 433 | 2 | ||
December 31, 2007 | 200 | 432 | 3 | ||
January 14, 2008 | 199 | 431 | 4 | ||
February 2, 2008 | 198 | 430 | 5 | ||
February 11, 2008 | 231 | 429 | 6 | ||
March 8, 2008 | 232 | 430 | 5 | ||
March 11, 2008 | 233 | 431 | 4 | ||
April 8, 2008 | 234 | 432 | 3 | ||
May 3, 2008 | 235 | 199 | 434 | 1 | |
May 13, 2008 | 236 | 435 | 0 | ||
May 31, 2008 | 235 | 434 | 1 | ||
June 17, 2008 | 236 | 435 | 0 | ||
August 20, 2008 | 235 | 434 | 1 | ||
November 18, 2008 | 236 | 435 | 0 | ||
November 24, 2008 | 198 | 434 | 1 | ||
January 2, 2009 | 235 | 433 | 2 | ||
Final voting share | 54.3% | 45.7% | |||
Non-voting members | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
Beginning of next Congress | 256 | 178 | 434 | 1 |
Leadership
[ Section contents: Senate: Majority (D), Minority (R) • House: Majority (D), Minority (R) ]
Senate
- President of the Senate:[15] Dick Cheney (R)
- President pro tempore: Robert Byrd (D)
- President pro tempore emeritus: Ted Stevens (R)
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader and Democratic Conference Chairman:[16] Harry Reid
- Assistant Majority Leader (Majority Whip): Richard Durbin
- Democratic Conference Vice Chairman and Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Charles Schumer
- Democratic Conference Secretary: Patty Murray
- Democratic Policy Committee Chairman: Byron Dorgan
- Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Debbie Stabenow
- Democratic Committee Outreach Chairman: Jeff Bingaman
- Democratic Committee Outreach Vice Chair: Hillary Clinton
- Democratic Rural Outreach Chair: Blanche Lincoln
- Chief Deputy Whip: Barbara Boxer
- Deputy Whips: Thomas Carper, Bill Nelson, Russell D. Feingold
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell
- Assistant Minority Leader (Minority Whip): Trent Lott, until December 18, 2007
- Jon Kyl, from December 18, 2007
- Counselor to the Minority Leader: Robert Bennett
- Republican Conference Chairman: Jon Kyl, until December 18, 2007
- Lamar Alexander, from December 18, 2007
- Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Kay Bailey Hutchison
- Republican Conference Vice Chair: John Cornyn
- National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair: John Ensign
House of Representatives
- Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (D)
- Assistant to the Speaker: Xavier Becerra
Majority (Democratic) leadership
- Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer
- Majority Whip: James Clyburn
- Senior Chief Deputy Majority Whip: John Lewis
- Chief Deputy Majority Whips: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, G.K. Butterfield, Joseph Crowley, Diana DeGette, Ed Pastor, Jan Schakowsky, John S. Tanner, and Maxine Waters
- Democratic Caucus Chairman: Rahm Emanuel
- Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman: John Larson
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Chris Van Hollen
- Democratic Steering/Policy Committee Co-Chairs: Rosa DeLauro for Steering and George Miller for Policy
Minority (Republican) leadership
- Minority Leader: John Boehner
- Minority Whip: Roy Blunt
- Chief Deputy Minority Whip: Eric Cantor
- Republican Conference Chair: Adam Putnam
- Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Thad McCotter
- Republican Conference Vice-Chair: Kay Granger
- Republican Conference Secretary: John Carter
- Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: Tom Cole
Members
Senate
House of Representatives
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Non-voting members
Changes in membership
Senate
There were two resignations and one death.
State (class) |
Vacator | Reason for change | Successor | Date of successor's formal installation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wyoming (1) | Craig Thomas (R) | Died June 4, 2007 | John Barrasso (R) | June 22, 2007[19] |
Mississippi (1) | Trent Lott (R) | Resigned December 18, 2007[17] | Roger Wicker (R) | December 31, 2007[18][19] |
Illinois (3) | Barack Obama (D) | Resigned November 16, 2008 to focus on his transition as President-elect of the United States[21] | Vacant until the next Congress |
House of Representatives
District | Vacator | Reason for change | Successor | Date successor seated |
---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia 10th | Charlie Norwood (R) | Died February 13, 2007. A special election was held June 19, 2007 | Paul Broun (R) | July 17, 2007 |
California 37th | Juanita Millender-McDonald (D) | Died April 22, 2007[22] A special election was held August 21, 2007 | Laura Richardson (D) | August 21, 2007 |
Massachusetts 5th | Marty Meehan (D) | Resigned July 1, 2007, to become Chancellor of University of Massachusetts Lowell. A special election was held October 16, 2007 | Niki Tsongas (D) | October 16, 2007 |
Ohio 5th | Paul Gillmor (R) | Died September 5, 2007. A special election was held November 6, 2007 | Bob Latta (R) | December 11, 2007 |
Virginia 1st | Jo Ann Davis (R) | Died October 6, 2007. A special election was held December 11, 2007 | Rob Wittman (R) | December 11, 2007 |
Illinois 14th | Dennis Hastert (R) | Resigned November 26, 2007. A special election was held March 8, 2008 | Bill Foster (D) | March 8, 2008 |
Indiana 7th | Julia Carson (D) | Died December 15, 2007. A special election was held March 11, 2008 | André Carson (D) | March 11, 2008 |
Mississippi 1st | Roger Wicker (R) | Resigned December 31, 2007, when appointed U.S. Senator. A special election was held May 13, 2008 | Travis Childers (D) | May 13, 2008 |
Louisiana 1st | Bobby Jindal (R) | Resigned January 14, 2008 to become Governor of Louisiana. A special election was held May 3, 2008 | Steve Scalise (R) | May 3, 2008 |
Louisiana 6th | Richard Baker (R) | Resigned February 2, 2008 to become President of the Managed Funds Association. A special election was held May 3, 2008 | Don Cazayoux (D) | May 3, 2008 |
California 12th | Tom Lantos (D) | Died February 11, 2008. A special election was held April 8, 2008 | Jackie Speier (D) | April 8, 2008 |
Maryland 4th | Albert Wynn (D) | Resigned May 31, 2008, having lost re-nomination. A special election was held June 17, 2008 | Donna Edwards (D) | June 17, 2008 |
Ohio 11th | Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D) | Died August 20, 2008. A special election was held November 18, 2008 | Marcia Fudge (D) | November 18, 2008 |
Virginia 11th | Thomas M. Davis (R) | Resigned November 24, 2008[23] in advance of his retirement. | Vacant until the next Congress | |
Illinois 5th | Rahm Emanuel (D) | Resigned January 2, 2009 to become White House Chief of Staff[20] | ||
Puerto Rico | Luis Fortuño (R and PNP) | Resigned January 2, 2009 to become Governor of Puerto Rico |
Employees
- Architect of the Capitol:
- Alan M. Hantman, until February 2, 2007
- Stephen T. Ayers (acting), thereafter
- Attending Physician of the United States Congress: John F. Eisold
Senate
- Chaplain: Barry C. Black
- Curator: Diane K. Skvarla
- Historian: Richard A. Baker
- Parliamentarian: Alan Frumin
- Secretary: Nancy Erickson
- Sergeant at Arms: Terrance W. Gainer
- Secretary for the Majority:
- Martin P. Paone, until January 23, 2008
- Lula J. Davis, elected January 23, 2008[24]
- Secretary for the Minority: David J. Schiappa
House of Representatives
- Chaplain: Daniel P. Coughlin
- Chief Administrative Officer: Daniel P. Beard (February 15, 2007–End)[25]
- James M. Eagen, III (through February 15, 2007)
- Clerk:
- Karen L. Haas, until February 15, 2007
- Lorraine Miller, elected February 15, 2007[25]
- Historian: Robert V. Remini
- Parliamentarian: John V. Sullivan
- Reading Clerks: Mary Kevin Niland, Susan Cole, Paul Hays (until April 30, 2007)
- Sergeant at Arms: Wilson Livingood
- Inspector General: James J. Cornell
See also: Rules of the House: "Other officers and officials"
See also
Elections
- United States congressional elections, 2006 (elections held in advance of this Congress)
- United States congressional elections, 2008 (elections held during this Congress)
Membership lists
- Members of the 110th United States Congress
- List of freshman class members of the 110th United States Congress
References
- ↑ Legislative Activities, via clerk.house.gov. Accessed 2009-04-25. Archived 2009-04-29.
- ↑ CBS News, Voters Usher Out Republicans
- ↑ Deirdre Walsh (January 4, 2007). "Pelosi becomes first woman House speaker". CNN.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- ↑ ruthholladay.com - Andre Carson on identity and belief
- ↑ DAWN (Newspaper)
- ↑ Nash, Phil Tajitsu (November 24, 2006). "Washington Journal: Campaign 2006 In Review". AsianWeek. Archived from the original on 2007-11-21. Retrieved December 16, 2006.
- ↑ Espa, David (October 6, 2006). "Pelosi Says She Would Drain GOP 'Swamp'". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
- ↑ Talev, Margaret (December 29, 2006). "Democratic majority to focus on 3-pronged plan". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
- ↑ Leader Staff Dennis Kucinich's Response To President Bush's Speech January 11, 2007 Cleveland Leader. Retrieved January 13, 2007
- ↑ Jackie Kucinich (September 28, 2007). "Select committee on 'stolen vote' issues findings". The Hill. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
- ↑ Bill Scher (December 19, 2007). "Record-Breaking Obstruction:How It Screwed You". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 24, 2007.; "Record-Breaking Republican Obstructionism". Campaign for America's Future. Archived from the original on 29 November 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.;"Senate Action on Cloture Motions". Retrieved October 22, 2012.
- ↑ Senators of the 110th Congress "Lieberman, Joseph I." United States Senate. Retrieved January 8, 2007
- ↑ Martin Kady II (November 15, 2006). "For Those of You Keeping Track at Home, It’s Official ...". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 20, 2006.
- ↑ Including one Independent who caucused with the Democrats
- ↑ The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate. See U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 3, Clause 4
- ↑ The Democratic Senate Majority Leader also serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Conference.
- 1 2 "Lott Officially Resigns, All Eyes Now on Barbour". Archived from the original on 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- 1 2 "Rep. Wicker Is Barbour's Choice". Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
- 1 2 3 Senators of the United States 1789–2007: A Chronological list of Senators from the First Congress to the 111th Congress
- 1 2 Rahm Emanuel's resignation announcement, via Yahoo.com
- ↑ "Obama will resign Senate seat Sunday". Chicago Trubune. November 13, 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- ↑ Rep. Millender-McDonald Dies of Cancer. Washington Post, April 22, 2007
- ↑ List of Vacancies, via Clerk.House.gov
- ↑ S.Res. 424, Electing Lula Johnson Davis Secretary for the Majority of the Senate
- 1 2 Election of Clerk of the House and Chief Administrative Officer 2007 Congressional Record, Vol. 153, Page H1671
External links
- Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- House History from the U.S. House of Representatives
- Statistics & Lists from the U.S. Senate
- Congressional Directory: Main Page, Government Printing Office Online. Detailed listings of many aspects of previous memberships and sessions of Congress.
- Legislative information from THOMAS at the Library of Congress
- Name Pronunciation Guide to the 110th U.S. Congress from inogolo.com
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