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.
Major events
Early 1980s recession
January 20, 1981: Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan
January 20, 1981: Iran hostage crisis ended
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
August 13, 1981: Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA or Kemp-Roth Tax Cut), , August 13, 1981: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, , September 3, 1982: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, , September 8, 1982: Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), , September 13, 1982: Codification of Title 31 of the United States Code, "Money and Finance", , September 20, 1982: Bus Regulatory Reform Act, , October 13, 1982: Job Training Partnership Act of 1982, , October 15, 1982: Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act, , January 6, 1983: Surface Transportation Assistance Act, , January 7, 1983: Nuclear Waste Policy Act, ,
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
House of Representatives
Leadership
Senate
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
Majority Leader: Howard Baker
Majority Whip: Ted Stevens
Republican Conference Chairman: James A. McClure
Republican Conference Secretary: Jake Garn
National Senatorial Committee Chair: Bob Packwood
Policy Committee Chairman: John Tower
Minority (Democratic) leadership
Minority Leader: Robert Byrd
Minority Whip: Alan Cranston
Democratic Caucus Secretary: Daniel Inouye
Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Wendell Ford
House of Representatives
Speaker: Tip O'Neill (D)
Majority (Democratic) leadership
Majority Leader: Jim Wright
Majority Whip: Tom Foley
Chief Deputy Majority Whip: William Vollie Alexander Jr. Democratic Caucus Chairman: Gillis William Long Democratic Caucus Secretary: Geraldine Ferraro Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Tony Coelho
Minority (Republican) leadership
Minority Leader: Robert H. Michel
Minority Whip: Trent Lott
Chief Deputy Whip: David F. Emery
Republican Conference Chairman: Jack Kemp
Republican Conference Vice-Chairman: Jack Edwards
Republican Conference Secretary: Clair Burgener
Policy Committee Chairman: Dick Cheney
Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: Guy Vander Jagt
Caucuses
Congressional Arts Caucus
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
Congresswomen's Caucus
House Democratic Caucus
Senate Democratic Caucus
Members
This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district.