97th United States Congress

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox United States Congress The 97th 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 1970 United States census.

While the House of Representatives retained a Democratic majority (albeit reduced from the 96th Congress), the Republicans gained control of the Senate, marking the first time that they had control of either chamber of Congress since the 83rd Congress in 1953. Template:TOC limit

Major events

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Early 1980s recession
January 20, 1981: Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan
January 20, 1981: Iran hostage crisis ended
February 18, 1981: President Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress
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.

Major legislation

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August 13, 1981: Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA or Kemp-Roth Tax Cut), Template:USPL, Template:USStat
August 13, 1981: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Template:USPL, Template:USStat
September 3, 1982: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Template:USPL, Template:USStat
September 8, 1982: Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), Template:USPL, Template:USStat
September 13, 1982: Codification of Title 31 of the United States Code, "Money and Finance", Template:USPL, Template:USStat
September 20, 1982: Bus Regulatory Reform Act, Template:USPL, Template:USStat
October 13, 1982: Job Training Partnership Act of 1982, Template:USPL, Template:USStat
October 15, 1982: Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act, Template:USPL, Template:USStat

Special or select committees

Senate Select Committee on Small Business — Became a standing committee on March 25, 1981
United States Senate Select Committee on Law Enforcement Undercover Activities of the Justice Department — March 24, 1982 – December 15, 1982

Party summary

Senate

Party standings on the opening day of the 97th Congress Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend

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House of Representatives

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Leadership

Senate

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President: Walter Mondale (D), until January 20, 1981
- George H. W. Bush (R), from January 20, 1981
President pro tempore: Strom Thurmond (R)

Majority (Republican) leadership

Minority (Democratic) leadership

House of Representatives

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Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)

Majority (Democratic) leadership

Minority (Republican) leadership

Caucuses

Members

This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district.

Senate

Template:Main Senators are popularly elected statewide every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress, In this Congress, Class 1 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring reelection in 1982; Class 2 meant their term began in the last Congress, requiring reelection in 1984; and Class 3 meant their term began in this Congress, requiring reelection in 1986. Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break