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The 115th Us Congress was the 2017-2019 session of the legislative co-operative of the U.S. federal authorities, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 115th Congress convened on January three, 2017, and ended on Jan three, 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 Political party
President of the Senate Mike Pence Ends.png Republican
Senate Majority 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

House of Representatives

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

Members

Run into as well: List of current members of the U.Due south. Congress

Partisan rest

U.S. Senate Partisan Breakup
Party As of November v, 2018 Afterwards the 2018 Election
Democratic Political party 47 45
Republican Party 51 53
Independent two two
Vacancies 0 0
Total 100 100
U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Political party As of November v, 2018 Later on the 2018 Election
Autonomous Party 193 235
Republican Party 235 200[one]
Vacancies 7 0
Total 435 435

Wave elections (1918-2016)

Ballotpedia-Wave Election Analysis Banner.png

See also: Wave elections (1918-2016)

The term wave election is oft used to describe an election cycle in which one political party makes significant balloter gains. How many seats would Republicans take had to lose for the 2018 midterm election to be considered a moving ridge election?

Ballotpedia examined the results of the 50 ballot cycles that occurred between 1918 and 2016—spanning from President Woodrow Wilson's (D) second midterm in 1918 to Donald Trump's (R) first presidential election in 2016. We define wave elections equally the 20 percent of elections in that menses resulting in the greatest seat swings confronting the president's political party.

Applying this definition to four dissimilar ballot groups (U.Due south. Senate, U.S. House, governorships, and land legislatures) yields specific numbers of seats that Republicans needed to lose for 2018 to qualify every bit a wave election. Those are:

  • 48 U.Due south. House seats,
  • Seven U.S. Senate seats,
  • Seven gubernatorial seats, or
  • 494 country legislative seats.

The midterm election results in 2018 met those levels in ane category, as Democrats gained 7 governorships. In congressional elections, Democrats had a net gain of 40 U.Southward. House seats while Republicans actually gained a net full of two U.South. Senate seats. Democrats gained a net 309 land legislative seats.

Click here to read the full written report.

Special elections

See too: Special elections to the 115th U.s. Congress (2017-2018)

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

The table below lists special elections to the 115th U.s. Congress.

District Prior Incumbent Principal Date Full general Election Candidates Election Appointment Winner Partisan Switch?
Michigan'south 13th John Conyers Jr. Baronial vii, 2018 Democratic Party Brenda Jones
Republican Party No Republican filed
Nov 6, 2018 Democratic Party Brenda Jones No
New York's 25th Louise Slaughter - Democratic Party Joseph Morelle
Republican Party James Maxwell
November half-dozen, 2018 Democratic Party Joseph Morelle No
Pennsylvania'due south 7th Patrick Meehan - Democratic Party Mary Gay Scanlon
Republican Party Pearl Kim
November six, 2018 Democratic Party Mary Gay Scanlon Yes
Pennsylvania's 15th Charlie Dent - Democratic Party Susan Wild
Republican Party Marty Nothstein
November 6, 2018 Democratic Party Susan Wild Aye
Due south Carolina's fifth Mick Mulvaney May 2, 2017 Democratic Party Archie Parnell
Republican Party Ralph Norman
Independent Five other candidates
June 20, 2017 Republican Party Ralph Norman No
U.Due south. Senator from Alabama Jeff Sessions Baronial 15, 2017 Republican Party Roy Moore
Democratic Party Doug Jones
Grey.png Arlester McBride
December 12, 2017 Democratic Party Doug Jones Yes
Utah'southward 3rd Jason Chaffetz August 15, 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's 18th Tim Tater N/A Democratic Party Conor Lamb
Republican Party Rick Saccone
March thirteen, 2018 Democratic Party Conor Lamb Yeah
Georgia's 6th Tom Price Apr xviii, 2017[2] Democratic Party Jon Ossoff
Republican Party Karen Handel
June 20, 2017[3] Republican Party Karen Handel No
Arizona'due south eighth Trent Franks February 27, 2018 Democratic Party Hiral Tipirneni
Republican Party Debbie Lesko
April 24, 2018 Republican Party Debbie Lesko No
Montana's At-Large Ryan Zinke N/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 vi, 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 N/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 Deject No
Ohio'due south twelfth Patrick Tiberi May viii, 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 iv, 2017 Democratic Party Robert Lee Ahn
Democratic Party Jimmy Gomez
June half dozen, 2017 Democratic Party Jimmy Gomez No
Kansas' quaternary Mike Pompeo N/A Republican Party Ron Estes
Democratic Party Jim Thompson
Libertarian Party Chris Rockhold
Apr xi, 2017 Republican Party Ron Estes No

On the bug

Throughout the course of the 115th Congress, we curated statements and reactions past members of Congress on a diverseness of unlike policy areas and topics. Click on a tile below to read about what members of the 115th Congress said well-nigh the following problems.

Key votes

Run into also: Fundamental votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

Members of the 115th United States Congress introduced thirteen,556 pieces of legislation, and 867 of those received a vote. Ballotpedia identified 79 of those votes every bit fundamental votes—votes that helped citizens sympathize where their legislators stood on major policy issues.[iv]

Congressional committees

U.Southward. Senate

Congressional committees (Senate)

Folio:
U.s.a. Senate Committee on Armed forces
United states Senate Commission on Ethics (Select)
United States Senate Commission on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
United states of america Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Usa Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Us Senate Committee on Crumbling (Special)
United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
United states Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Diplomacy
Us Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate Commission on Foreign Relations
United States Senate Commission on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
United States Senate Committee on Intelligence (Select)
United states of america Senate Committee on Budget
United states Senate Committee on Finance
U.s.a. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

U.S. House

Congressional committees (House)

Page:
Us House of Representatives Commission on Strange Affairs
United states House of Representatives Committee on House Assistants
U.s. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce
U.s. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary
The states Business firm of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources
U.s. Business firm of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.s.a. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services
United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations
United States Firm of Representatives Committee on Armed forces
United States House of Representatives Committee on Ethics
United States House of Representatives Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select)
U.s. House of Representatives Committee on Minor Business
United States Firm of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
United States House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture
United states Business firm of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
United States House of Representatives Commission on Rules
United states House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means
United States Business firm of Representatives Commission on Transportation and Infrastructure
United States Business firm of Representatives Committee on Upkeep
United states of america House of Representatives Committee on Science, Infinite, and Technology
The states Business firm of Representatives Commission on Veterans' Affairs

Joint committees

Congressional committees (Joint)

Page:
United States Congress Joint Committee on Printing
Us Congress Joint Committee on the Library
United States Congress Joint Economic Commission
United states of america Congress Articulation Committee on Taxation

Supreme Courtroom vacancy

See likewise: Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court and Resignation of Anthony Kennedy from the U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he was assuming senior status on the courtroom on June 27, 2018. President Trump followed by nominating Brett Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy on July nine, 2018. The Senate voted 50-48-1 to ostend Kavanaugh every bit the 114th acquaintance justice of the Supreme Court on October 6, 2018. Click hither for more than coverage.

Confirmation process

Encounter besides: Confirmation process overview for Donald Trump'south Cabinet nominees

The 115th Congress was tasked with confirming President Donald Trump's Chiffonier 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 written report and a background bank check. The nominee was and then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allowed for a shut exam of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee were also able to evidence.[5] Following the closing of commission hearings, virtually committees had a set amount of time before a vote was taken on whether the nominee was reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation.[five]

Analysis

Switching chambers

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, 50 of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate had previously served in the U.Due south. House of Representatives. This included 27 of 52 Senate Republicans, 22 of 46 Senate Democrats, and 1 of the two independents who caucused with the Democrats.

Salary

As of 2022, members of Congress are paid $174,000 per year. Senate bulk and minority leaders, equally well as the president pro tempore, receive $193,400. The speaker of the House receives $223,500.[6]

Some historical facts well-nigh the salary of United States Congress members:

  • In 1789, members of Congress received a $half dozen per diem.[6]
  • In 1874, members of Congress earned $5,000 per year.[vi]
  • In 1990, members of Congress earned $98,400 per year.[6]
  • From 2000-2006, the salary of a fellow member of the Usa Congress increased every year, going from $141,300 to $165,200 in that time bridge.[6]

Demographics

The 115th Congress surpassed the 114th Congress as the well-nigh various Congress in the nation's history.

There were iii black, four Hispanic, and three Asian senators. There were also 21 women and i openly LGBTQ member of the Senate. Overall, 26 percentage of the Senate was made upwardly of women or minorities, and the remaining 74 percentage was white men. There were 94 racial or indigenous minorities in the House and 83 women, also as 6 openly LGBTQ members. Overall, 34 percent of the House was made upwardly of women or minorities, and the remaining 66 percent was white men.[vii]

Over 90 percentage of Congress identified equally Christians, while roughly six pct of members were Jewish. There were too three Buddhists, iii Hindus, 2 Muslims, and one Unitarian Universalist. One member of Congress, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9), described herself as unaffiliated with any faith.[eight]

Meet also

  • The states Congress elections, 2016
  • United states of america Senate elections, 2016
  • United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
  • 114th United States Congress
  • Results of U.S. House elections in presidential election years, 1920-2020
  • United States Congress
  • United States Senate
  • United States Business firm of Representatives

Footnotes

  1. I undecided 2018 race was decided in September 2019 when Dan Bishop (R) won the special election. The state board of elections called a new election following allegations of absentee election fraud in the 2018 race. Unofficial returns from the 2018 election showed Mark Harris (R) leading McCready, who was likewise the Democratic candidate in 2018, by 905 votes. Harris said he did non run once more in 2019 due to health issues. Click here for more information on the aftermath of the 2018 election.
  2. While technically a full general election, the April 18 election was functionally a height-2 primary considering no candidate received the l percentage of the vote required to win the race outright.
  3. June 20, 2017, runoff ballot between Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff.
  4. GovTrack, "Statistics and Historical Comparison," accessed March 12, 2019
  5. five.0 5.i CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Procedure: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
  6. vi.0 6.one 6.2 half dozen.iii 6.4 U.Due south. Senate, "Salaries," accessed May 29, 2012
  7. Daily KOS, "Check out our comprehensive 115th Congress guide, with ballot data, demographics, and member stats," January 3, 2017
  8. U.S. News, "The 115th Congress by Party, Race, Gender and Religion," January 5, 2017