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The 115th United States Congress was the 2017-2019 session of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 115th Congress convened on Jan 3, 2017, and concluded on January 3, 2019. New members were elected on Nov 8, 2016.

President Donald Trump (R) issued no vetoes during the 115th Congress. For more information on vetoes issued during the Trump administration, click here.

Leadership

Senate

Position Representative Party
President of the Senate Mike Pence Ends.png Republican
Senate Bulk Leadership
President pro tempore Orrin Hatch Ends.png Republican
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Ends.png Republican
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn Ends.png Republican
Senate Minority Leadership
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Electiondot.png Democratic
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin Electiondot.png Democratic

Business firm of Representatives

Position Representative Political party
Speaker of the Business firm Paul Ryan Ends.png Republican
Business firm Majority Leadership
Firm Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Ends.png Republican
House Bulk Whip Steve Scalise Ends.png Republican
House Minority Leadership
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Electiondot.png Autonomous
Business firm Minority Whip Steny Hoyer Electiondot.png Democratic

Members

See also: List of electric current members of the U.South. Congress

Partisan residue

U.Southward. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Political party As of Nov 5, 2018 Afterwards the 2022 Election
Democratic Political party 47 45
Republican Party 51 53
Independent two ii
Vacancies 0 0
Full 100 100
U.S. Firm Partisan Breakup
Party As of November five, 2018 After the 2022 Election
Democratic Party 193 235
Republican Party 235 200[1]
Vacancies seven 0
Total 435 435

Wave elections (1918-2016)

Ballotpedia-Wave Election Analysis Banner.png

See also: Wave elections (1918-2016)

The term moving ridge ballot is frequently used to describe an election cycle in which one party makes significant balloter gains. How many seats would Republicans have had to lose for the 2022 midterm election to be considered a moving ridge election?

Ballotpedia examined the results of the 50 election cycles that occurred between 1918 and 2016—spanning from President Woodrow Wilson's (D) second midterm in 1918 to Donald Trump'due south (R) first presidential ballot in 2016. Nosotros define moving ridge elections as the 20 percent of elections in that period resulting in the greatest seat swings confronting the president's party.

Applying this definition to 4 different election groups (U.S. Senate, U.Southward. House, governorships, and state legislatures) yields specific numbers of seats that Republicans needed to lose for 2022 to authorize as a wave election. Those are:

  • 48 U.S. House seats,
  • Seven U.Southward. Senate seats,
  • Vii gubernatorial seats, or
  • 494 state legislative seats.

The midterm election results in 2022 met those levels in one category, equally Democrats gained seven governorships. In congressional elections, Democrats had a net gain of twoscore U.S. House seats while Republicans really gained a net full of two U.S. Senate seats. Democrats gained a net 309 state legislative seats.

Click here to read the full report.

Special elections

See also: Special elections to the 115th United States Congress (2017-2018)

Special elections made upward the majority of Ballotpedia's congressional election coverage in 2017. Special elections to Congress occur when a legislator resigns or is removed from office. Depending on the specific state laws governing vacancies, a state can either concur an election within the same agenda year or wait until the next regularly scheduled election. In a presidential election year, such as 2016, it is normal for more special elections to take place for members of Congress called for Chiffonier positions.

The table beneath lists special elections to the 115th United states Congress.

District Prior Incumbent Primary Date Full general Election Candidates Election Date Winner Partisan Switch?
Michigan's 13th John Conyers Jr. Baronial 7, 2018 Democratic Party Brenda Jones
Republican Party No Republican filed
November half-dozen, 2018 Democratic Party Brenda Jones No
New York'southward 25th Louise Slaughter - Democratic Party Joseph Morelle
Republican Party James Maxwell
November 6, 2018 Democratic Party Joseph Morelle No
Pennsylvania's seventh Patrick Meehan - Democratic Party Mary Gay Scanlon
Republican Party Pearl Kim
November 6, 2018 Democratic Party Mary Gay Scanlon Yep
Pennsylvania's 15th Charlie Dent - Democratic Party Susan Wild
Republican Party Marty Nothstein
November six, 2018 Democratic Party Susan Wild Yes
Southward Carolina's fifth Mick Mulvaney May two, 2017 Democratic Party Archie Parnell
Republican Party Ralph Norman
Independent Five other candidates
June 20, 2017 Republican Party Ralph Norman No
U.Southward. Senator from Alabama Jeff Sessions August 15, 2017 Republican Party Roy Moore
Democratic Party Doug Jones
Grey.png Arlester McBride
December 12, 2017 Democratic Party Doug Jones Aye
Utah's 3rd Jason Chaffetz Baronial fifteen, 2017 Republican Party John Curtis
Democratic Party Kathie Allen
Libertarian Party Joe Buchman
Independent_American_Party Jason Christensen
Independent Sean Whalen
Independent Jim Bennett
November 7, 2017 Republican Party John Curtis No
Pennsylvania'southward 18th Tim Tater North/A Democratic Party Conor Lamb
Republican Party Rick Saccone
March thirteen, 2018 Democratic Party Conor Lamb Yes
Georgia'due south 6th Tom Toll April 18, 2017[2] Democratic Party Jon Ossoff
Republican Party Karen Handel
June 20, 2017[3] Republican Party Karen Handel No
Arizona'southward 8th Trent Franks Feb 27, 2018 Democratic Party Hiral Tipirneni
Republican Party Debbie Lesko
April 24, 2018 Republican Party Debbie Lesko No
Montana's At-Big Ryan Zinke North/A Republican Party Greg Gianforte
Democratic Party Rob Quist
Libertarian Party Mark Wicks
May 25, 2017 Republican Party Greg Gianforte No
U.S. Senator from Minnesota Al Franken August 14, 2018 Democratic Party Tina Smith
Republican Party Karin Housley
Grey.png Jerry Trooien
* Sarah Wellington
November 6, 2018 Democratic Party Tina Smith No
U.S. Senator from Mississippi Thad Cochran June 5, 2018 Awaiting November vi, 2018 Republican Party Cindy Hyde-Smith No
Texas' 27th Blake Farenthold Due north/A Democratic Party Raul (Roy) Barrera
Democratic Party Eric Holguin
Democratic Party Mike Westergren
Republican Party Bech Bruun
Republican Party Michael Cloud
Republican Party Marty Perez
Libertarian Party Daniel Tinus
Grey.png Judith Cutright
Grey.png Chris Suprun
June 30, 2018 Republican Party Michael Cloud No
Ohio'southward twelfth Patrick Tiberi May 8, 2018 Democratic Party Danny O'Connor
Republican Party Troy Balderson

Green Party

Joe Manchik
Grey.png Jonathan Veley
August 7, 2018 Republican Party Troy Balderson No
California's 34th Xavier Becerra April 4, 2017 Democratic Party Robert Lee Ahn
Democratic Party Jimmy Gomez
June 6, 2017 Democratic Party Jimmy Gomez No
Kansas' 4th Mike Pompeo N/A Republican Party Ron Estes
Democratic Party Jim Thompson
Libertarian Party Chris Rockhold
April 11, 2017 Republican Party Ron Estes No

On the issues

Throughout the course of the 115th Congress, we curated statements and reactions past members of Congress on a variety of different policy areas and topics. Click on a tile beneath to read about what members of the 115th Congress said about the following issues.

Cardinal votes

See also: Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

Members of the 115th United States Congress introduced 13,556 pieces of legislation, and 867 of those received a vote. Ballotpedia identified 79 of those votes as key votes—votes that helped citizens understand where their legislators stood on major policy issues.[4]

Congressional committees

U.S. Senate

Congressional committees (Senate)

Page:
United States Senate Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate Committee on Ethics (Select)
United States Senate Committee on Small-scale Business and Entrepreneurship
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
United states of america Senate Committee on Indian Diplomacy
United States Senate Commission on Veterans' Affairs
United states of america Senate Committee on Aging (Special)
United States Senate Committee on Cyberbanking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
U.s. Senate Committee on Commerce, Scientific discipline, and Transportation
United states Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
The states Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Usa Senate Commission on Rules and Administration
U.s. Senate Committee on Appropriations
United states of america Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The states Senate Commission on Wellness, Didactics, Labor, and Pensions
Usa Senate Commission on Environment and Public Works
United states of america Senate Commission on Intelligence (Select)
United States Senate Committee on Budget
United States Senate Commission on Finance
The states Senate Commission on the Judiciary

U.S. Firm

Congressional committees (House)

Page:
United States Business firm of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs
United States House of Representatives Committee on Firm Administration
U.s. Business firm of Representatives Committee on Didactics and the Workforce
U.s.a. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary
United States House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources
United states House of Representatives Committee on Free energy and Commerce
United States House of Representatives Commission on Financial Services
United States House of Representatives Commission on Appropriations
The states Business firm of Representatives Committee on Armed services
United States House of Representatives Committee on Ethics
United states Firm of Representatives Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select)
United States House of Representatives Commission on Small Business
United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform
United States Firm of Representatives Committee on Agriculture
Usa House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
U.s.a. Firm of Representatives Committee on Rules
Usa Business firm of Representatives Committee on Means and Means
U.s.a. Firm of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.s.a. House of Representatives Committee on Budget
United States House of Representatives Commission on Science, Infinite, and Engineering
United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Joint committees

Congressional committees (Joint)

Page:
U.s.a. Congress Joint Commission on Printing
Us Congress Joint Committee on the Library
Us Congress Articulation Economic Committee
United States Congress Articulation Committee on Taxation

Supreme Court vacancy

See also: Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.Southward. Supreme Court and Resignation of Anthony Kennedy from the U.South. Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he was bold senior status on the courtroom on June 27, 2018. President Trump followed by nominating Brett Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy on July 9, 2018. The Senate voted 50-48-i to confirm Kavanaugh as the 114th acquaintance justice of the Supreme Court on October 6, 2018. Click here for more coverage.

Confirmation process

Run across as well: Confirmation process overview for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees

The 115th Congress was tasked with confirming President Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees. Before a presidential Cabinet nominee could be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he or she was required to pass several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee was then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allowed for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee were likewise able to prove.[5] Following the closing of commission hearings, about committees had a set corporeality of time earlier a vote was taken on whether the nominee was reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation.[five]

Analysis

Switching chambers

At the kickoff of the 115th Congress, l of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate had previously served in the U.Southward. House of Representatives. This included 27 of 52 Senate Republicans, 22 of 46 Senate Democrats, and one of the 2 independents who caucused with the Democrats.

Salary

Every bit of 2022, members of Congress are paid $174,000 per yr. Senate majority and minority leaders, also every bit the president pro tempore, receive $193,400. The speaker of the House receives $223,500.[six]

Some historical facts about the bacon of United States Congress members:

  • In 1789, members of Congress received a $6 per diem.[six]
  • In 1874, members of Congress earned $v,000 per yr.[6]
  • In 1990, members of Congress earned $98,400 per year.[vi]
  • From 2000-2006, the salary of a member of the The states Congress increased every yr, going from $141,300 to $165,200 in that time span.[6]

Demographics

The 115th Congress surpassed the 114th Congress as the most various Congress in the nation's history.

There were 3 black, four Hispanic, and 3 Asian senators. At that place were as well 21 women and i openly LGBTQ fellow member of the Senate. Overall, 26 pct of the Senate was fabricated up of women or minorities, and the remaining 74 percent was white men. There were 94 racial or ethnic minorities in the House and 83 women, besides every bit 6 openly LGBTQ members. Overall, 34 percent of the House was fabricated upwards of women or minorities, and the remaining 66 percent was white men.[7]

Over 90 per centum of Congress identified equally Christians, while roughly six per centum of members were Jewish. There were also three Buddhists, three Hindus, 2 Muslims, and one Unitarian Universalist. I member of Congress, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9), described herself as unaffiliated with whatever religion.[8]

See too

  • Us Congress elections, 2016
  • United States Senate elections, 2016
  • United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
  • 114th U.s. Congress
  • Results of U.South. House elections in presidential ballot years, 1920-2020
  • U.s.a. Congress
  • U.s. Senate
  • U.s.a. Firm of Representatives

Footnotes

  1. One undecided 2022 race was decided in September 2022 when Dan Bishop (R) won the special election. The state board of elections chosen a new election post-obit allegations of absentee ballot fraud in the 2022 race. Unofficial returns from the 2022 election showed Mark Harris (R) leading McCready, who was also the Democratic candidate in 2018, by 905 votes. Harris said he did not run again in 2022 due to wellness issues. Click here for more information on the aftermath of the 2022 ballot.
  2. While technically a full general ballot, the April xviii election was functionally a height-ii principal because no candidate received the l percent of the vote required to win the race outright.
  3. June 20, 2017, runoff election between Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff.
  4. GovTrack, "Statistics and Historical Comparison," accessed March 12, 2019
  5. 5.0 5.one CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Process: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
  6. 6.0 6.one 6.two half dozen.3 half-dozen.iv U.S. Senate, "Salaries," accessed May 29, 2012
  7. Daily KOS, "Check out our comprehensive 115th Congress guide, with ballot data, demographics, and fellow member stats," January 3, 2017
  8. U.S. News, "The 115th Congress by Party, Race, Gender and Religion," Jan 5, 2017