112th United States Congress

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112th United States Congress
Capitol Building Full View.jpg
United States Capitol (2007)
Duration: January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Senate President: Joe Biden (D)
Senate Pres. pro tem: Daniel Inouye (D)
House Speaker: John Boehner (R)
Members: 100 Senators
435 Representatives
6 Non-voting members
Senate Majority: Democratic Party
House Majority: Republican Party
Sessions
1st: January 5, 2011[1] – January 3, 2012[2]
2nd: January 3, 2012[2] – present
<111th 113th>

The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current 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 convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January 3, 2013, close to the end of the presidential term to which Barack Obama was elected in 2008. Senators elected to regular terms in 2006 will complete those terms in this Congress. This Congress includes the last House of Representatives elected from congressional districts that were apportioned based on the 2000 census.

In the 2010 midterm elections, the Republican Party won the majority in the House of Representatives. While the Democrats kept their Senate majority, it was reduced from the previous Congress.[3] This is the first Congress in which the House and Senate are controlled by different parties since the 107th Congress (2001–2003), and the first Congress to begin that way since the 99th Congress (1985–1987). In this Congress, the House of Representatives has the largest number of Republican members, 242, since the 80th Congress (1947–1949).[4] This also marks the first time since 1947 that a member of the Kennedy family has not served in Congress.

Contents

[edit] Major events

President Obama delivered the 2011 State of the Union Address on January 25, 2011
President Obama delivered the 2012 State of the Union Address on January 24, 2012

[edit] Potential government shutdown

Wikinews has related news: US government shutdown averted in last-minute deal

A failure to pass a 2011 federal budget nearly led to a shutdown of non-essential government services on April 9, 2011, with the furlough of 800,000 government employees appearing imminent.[6] President Obama met Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner in the days preceding the deadline but was unable to come to an agreement to pass a budget.[citation needed] A one-week budget was proposed to avoid a government shutdown and allow more time for negotiations; however, proposals from both parties could not be accommodated.[citation needed] Obama said he would veto a proposed Republican budget over Republican social spending cuts.[citation needed] This was also backed by Senate Democrats who objected to such cuts as that of Planned Parenthood.[7][8][9] However, an agreement was reached between the two parties for a one-week budget to allow for more time to negotiate after Republicans dropped their stance on the Planned Parenthood issue.[8] The two parties ultimately agreed on a 2011 federal budget the following week.[citation needed]

There were many reactions to the possible shutdown with some saying the economy could be hurt during a fragile recovery[10] and others saying the lack of an unnecessary bureaucracy would not be noticed.[11] There was also criticism that while senators and representatives would continue to get paid others such as the police and military personnel would either not be paid for their work or have their payments deferred.[12]

[edit] Debt limit crisis

Speaker Boehner meeting with President Obama at the White House during the 2011 debt ceiling crisis
Wikinews has related news: US President Obama announces deal reached to avert government default
Main article: United States debt ceiling crisis

On August 2, 2011, the United States public debt was projected to reach its statutory maximum. Without an increase in that limit the U.S. Treasury would be unable to borrow money to pay its bills. Although previous statutory increases have been routine, conservative members of the House refused to allow an increase without drastically reducing government spending. Over several weeks and months, negotiators from both parties, both houses, and the White House worked to forge a compromise. The compromise bill, the Budget Control Act of 2011, was enacted on August 2.

[edit] Major legislation

[edit] Enacted

Main article: Acts of the 112th United States Congress

[edit] Proposed

See also: Active Legislation, 112th Congress, via senate.gov

[edit] Party summary

Resignations and new members are discussed in the "Changes in membership" section, below.

[edit] Senate

Senate Party standings (at the beginning of this Congress)
  51 Democrats
  2 Independents, both caucusing with Democrats
  47 Republicans
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Independent Republican
End of previous congress 56 2 42 100 0
Begin 51 2 47 100 0
May 3, 2011 46 99 1
May 9, 2011 47 100 0
Latest voting share 53% 47%

[edit] House of Representatives

House Party standings (at the beginning of this Congress)
  193 Democrats
  242 Republicans
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Republican
End of previous congress 255 179 434 1
Begin 193 242 435 0
February 9, 2011 241 434 1
February 28, 2011 192 433 2
May 9, 2011 240 432 3
May 24, 2011 193 433 2
June 21, 2011 192 432 3
July 12, 2011 193 433 2
August 3, 2011 192 432 3
September 13, 2011 242 434 1
January 25, 2012 191 433 2
January 31, 2012 192 434 1
March 6, 2012 191 433 2
March 20, 2012 190 432 3
Latest voting share 44% 56%
Non-voting members 6 0 6 0

[edit] Leadership

[ Section contents: Senate: Majority (D), Minority (R) • House: Majority (R), Minority (D) ]

[edit] Senate

President of the Senate
Joe Biden (D)
President pro tempore of Senate
Daniel Inouye (D)

[edit] Majority (Democratic) leadership

[edit] Minority (Republican) leadership

[edit] House of Representatives

Speaker of the House
John Boehner (R)

[edit] Majority (Republican) leadership

[edit] Minority (Democratic) leadership

[edit] Members

[edit] Senate

For year of birth, when first took office, when current term expires, prior background, and education, see List of current United States Senators.

[edit] Alabama

[edit] Alaska

[edit] Arizona

[edit] Arkansas

[edit] California

[edit] Colorado

[edit] Connecticut

[edit] Delaware

[edit] Florida

[edit] Georgia

[edit] Hawaii

[edit] Idaho

[edit] Illinois

[edit] Indiana

[edit] Iowa

[edit] Kansas

[edit] Kentucky

[edit] Louisiana

[edit] Maine

[edit] Maryland

[edit] Massachusetts

[edit] Michigan

[edit] Minnesota

[edit] Mississippi

[edit] Missouri

[edit] Montana

[edit] Nebraska

[edit] Nevada

[edit] New Hampshire

[edit] New Jersey

[edit] New Mexico

[edit] New York

[edit] North Carolina

[edit] North Dakota

[edit] Ohio

[edit] Oklahoma

[edit] Oregon

[edit] Pennsylvania

[edit] Rhode Island

[edit] South Carolina

[edit] South Dakota

[edit] Tennessee

[edit] Texas

[edit] Utah

[edit] Vermont

[edit] Virginia

[edit] Washington

[edit] West Virginia

[edit] Wisconsin

[edit] Wyoming
Current party membership by state
  2 Democrats
  1 Democrat and 1 Republican
  2 Republicans
  193ABE box with 1px wide black border.png 1 Independent and 1 Democrat
Majority Leader of the Senate
Harry Reid (D)
Minority Leader of the Senate
Mitch McConnell (R)
Majority Whip of the Senate
Dick Durbin (D)
Minority Whip of the Senate
Jon Kyl (R)

[edit] House of Representatives

For year of birth, when first took office, prior background, religious affiliation and education, see Current members of the United States House of Representatives.
For maps of congressional districts, see List of United States congressional districts.

[edit] Alabama

(6–1 Republican)

[edit] Alaska

(1 Republican)

[edit] Arizona

(5–2 Republican, 1 vacant)

[edit] Arkansas

(3–1 Republican)

[edit] California

(34–19 Democratic)

[edit] Colorado

(4–3 Republican)

[edit] Connecticut

(5 Democrats)

[edit] Delaware

(1 Democrat)

[edit] Florida

(19–6 Republican)

[edit] Georgia

(8–5 Republican)

[edit] Hawaii

(2 Democrats)

[edit] Idaho

(2 Republicans)

[edit] Illinois

(11–8 Republican)

[edit] Indiana

(6–3 Republican)

[edit] Iowa

(3–2 Democratic)

[edit] Kansas

(4 Republicans)

[edit] Kentucky

(4–2 Republican)

[edit] Louisiana

(6–1 Republican)

[edit] Maine

(2 Democrats)

[edit] Maryland

(6–2 Democratic)

[edit] Massachusetts

(10 Democrats)

[edit] Michigan

(9–6 Republican)

[edit] Minnesota

(4–4 split)

[edit] Mississippi

(3–1 Republican)

[edit] Missouri

(6–3 Republican)

[edit] Montana

(1 Republican)

[edit] Nebraska

(3 Republicans)

[edit] Nevada

(2-1 Republican)

[edit] New Hampshire

(2 Republicans)

[edit] New Jersey

(6–6 split, 1 vacant)

[edit] New Mexico

(2–1 Democratic)

[edit] New York

(21–8 Democratic)

[edit] North Carolina

(7–6 Democratic)

[edit] North Dakota

(1 Republican)

[edit] Ohio

(13–5 Republican)

[edit] Oklahoma

(4–1 Republican)

[edit] Oregon

(4–1 Democratic)

[edit] Pennsylvania

(12–7 Republican)

[edit] Rhode Island

(2 Democrats)

[edit] South Carolina

(5–1 Republican)

[edit] South Dakota

(1 Republican)

[edit] Tennessee

(7–2 Republican)

[edit] Texas

(23–9 Republican)

[edit] Utah

(2–1 Republican)

[edit] Vermont

(1 Democrat)

[edit] Virginia

(8–3 Republican)

[edit] Washington

(5–4 Democratic)

[edit] West Virginia

(2–1 Republican)

[edit] Wisconsin

(5–3 Republican)

[edit] Wyoming

(1 Republican)

[edit] Non-voting members

(6 Democrats)
Members' party membership by district.
  Democratic
  Republican
Freshman class of the House of Representatives, January 2011
Majority Leader of the House
Eric Cantor (R)
Minority Leader of the House
Nancy Pelosi (D)
Majority Whip of the House
Kevin McCarthy (R)
Minority Whip of the House
Steny Hoyer (D)

[edit] Changes in membership

[edit] Senate

State
(class)		 Former senator Reason for change Successor Date of successor's
installation
Nevada
(1)		 John Ensign
(R)		 Resigned May 3, 2011 due to an Ethics Committee investigation.[18]
The appointed successor will serve for the remainder of the term that ends with this Congress.		 Dean Heller
(R)[19]		 May 9, 2011[20]

[edit] House of Representatives

See also: List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives
District Vacator Reason for change Successor Date of successor's
installation
New York 26th Christopher Lee
(R)		 Resigned February 9, 2011, due to a personal scandal.[21]
A special election was held May 24, 2011.[22]		 Kathy Hochul
(D)		 June 1, 2011
California 36th Jane Harman
(D)		 Resigned February 28, 2011 to become the head of the Woodrow Wilson Center.[23]
A special election was held July 12, 2011.[24]		 Janice Hahn
(D)		 July 19, 2011
Nevada 2nd Dean Heller
(R)		 Resigned May 9, 2011, when appointed to the Senate.[19]
A special election was held September 13, 2011.[25]		 Mark Amodei
(R)		 September 15, 2011
New York 9th Anthony Weiner
(D)		 Resigned June 21, 2011, due to a personal scandal.[26]
A special election was held September 13, 2011.[27]		 Bob Turner
(R)		 September 15, 2011
Oregon 1st David Wu
(D)		 Resigned August 3, 2011, due to a personal scandal.
A special election was held January 31, 2012.[28]		 Suzanne Bonamici
(D)		 February 7, 2012
Arizona 8th Gabrielle Giffords
(D)		 Resigned January 25, 2012, to focus on recovery from 2011 Tucson Shooting.[29]
A special election will be held June 12, 2012.[30]		 TBD TBD
New Jersey 10th Donald M. Payne
(D)		 Died March 6, 2012.[31]
A special election will be held November 6, 2012.[32]		 TBD TBD
Washington 1st Jay Inslee
(D)		 Resigned March 20, 2012 to focus on gubernatorial campaign.[33]
A special election will be held November 6, 2012.[34]		 TBD TBD

[edit] Committees

[ Section contents: Senate, House, Joint ]

[edit] Senate

Main article: List of United States Senate committees

[edit] House of Representatives

Main article: List of United States House of Representatives committees

[edit] Joint appointments

Main article: List of United States congressional joint committees

[edit] Administrative officers

[edit] Senate

[edit] House of Representatives

[edit] See also

[edit] Elections

[edit] Membership lists

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pub.L. 111-289
  2. ^ a b Senate Calendar for January 20, 2012.
  3. ^ Zeleny, Jeff (November 2, 2010). "G.O.P. Captures House, but Not Senate". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/politics/03elect.html?_r=1&hp. Retrieved November 3, 2010. 
  4. ^ Abramowitz, Alan (December 12, 2010). "Get ready for the most conservative Congress ever". Salon.com. Salon Media Group. http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/12/12/abramowitz_congress_ideology. Retrieved January 25, 2011. 
  5. ^ Yadron, Danny (January 6, 2011). "House Reads Constitution, Gets Civics Lesson". Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/01/06/house-reads-constitution-gets-civics-lesson/. Retrieved January 12, 2011. 
  6. ^ Rowley, James (April 7, 2011). "U.S. Government Shutdown Threatens 800,000 People As Obama Seeks Solution". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-07/government-shutdown-threatens-800-000-as-obama-seeks-solution.html. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  7. ^ "US budget talks remain deadlocked". Al Jazeera. April 8, 2011. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/04/201147223956421145.html. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b Davis, Julie Hirschfeld; Faler, Brian (April 9, 2011). "Wrangle Over U.S. Budget Compromise Defines Next Two Years' Fiscal Debate". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-08/obama-leaders-fail-to-reach-budget-deal-after-third-meeting-in-two-days.html. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  9. ^ "Pres. Obama and Congressional Leaders Reach Budget Deal". CSPAN. April 8, 2011. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Midnight-Deadline-Looms-Until-Government-Shutdown/10737420771. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  10. ^ Dodge, Catherine; Goldman, Julianna (April 8, 2011). "Long Government Shutdown Would Harm U.S. Economy, Hit Washington Hardest". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-08/long-government-shutdown-would-harm-u-s-economy-hit-washington-hardest.html. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Editorial: Government shutdown survival guide". The Washington Times. April 7, 2011. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/7/government-shutdown-survival-guide. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  12. ^ Goldman, Julianna (April 7, 2011). "Boehner Gets Paid While Soldiers Wait When Congress Shuts Down Government". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-07/boehner-gets-paid-while-soldiers-wait-when-congress-shuts-down-government.html. Retrieved May 10, 2011. "Members of Congress 'shouldn’t be getting paid, just like federal employees shouldn't be getting paid' during a shutdown, Boehner said today on ABC’s 'Good Morning America'" 
  13. ^ "U.S. Senate, Democratic Committees". http://democrats.senate.gov/committee. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
  14. ^ "U.S. Senate Conference Secretaries". http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Conference_Secretaries.htm. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
  15. ^ a b c "U.S. Senate, Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee". http://democrats.senate.gov/leadership. Retrieved August 10, 2011. 
  16. ^ Office of the Speaker of the House (December 2, 2010). "Pelosi Announces Steering and Policy Committee Members". PR Newswire. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pelosi-announces-steering-and-policy-committee-members-111212524.html. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 
  17. ^ "Congressman Capuano's Update". FN Online. February 3, 2011. http://www.fenwaynews.org/press-release/congressman-capuanos-update-2. Retrieved February 16, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Nevada Sen. John Ensign announces resignation". Politico. April 21, 2011. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53557.html. 
  19. ^ a b Murray, Mark (April 27, 2011). "Sandoval appoints Heller to fill Ensign seat". NBC News. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/27/6544161-sandoval-appoints-heller-to-fill-ensign-seat. 
  20. ^ http://www.lvrj.com/news/heller-in-transition-one-foot-in-house-one-foot-in-senate-121223624.html?ref=624
  21. ^ "Lee Resigns After Photos Surface". Political Wire. February 9, 2011. http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/02/09/lee_resigns_after_photos_surface.html. 
  22. ^ "Governor Cuomo Signs Bill to Ensure Military Voters are Treated Fairly in Special Elections, Calls Special Election in 26th Congressional District". Governor of New York's Press Office. March 9, 2011. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/030911cuomosignsbill. Retrieved March 9, 2011. 
  23. ^ Allen, Mike; Cohen, Richard E. (February 7, 2011). "Rep. Jane Harman to resign from House". Politco.com. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48984.html. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Special Election for 36th Congressional District". Governor of California Press Release. March 14, 2011. http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=16934. Retrieved March 14, 2011. 
  25. ^ "Sandoval Sets Fall Special to Fill Heller’s Seat". Roll Call. April 29, 2011. http://www.rollcall.com/news/sandoval_sets_fall_special_to_fill_hellers_seat-205211-1.html?pos=hln. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
  26. ^ Camia, Catalina (June 20, 2011). "Anthony Weiner Officially Steps Down Tuesday". USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/06/anthony-weiner-resignation-sex-scandal-/1. Retrieved June 21, 2011. 
  27. ^ "Governor Cuomo Sets Special Elections for September 13 to Coincide with Statewide Primary Day". Governor of New York's Press Office. July 1, 2011. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/070111specialelection. Retrieved July 1, 2011. 
  28. ^ Freking, Kevin (August 4, 2011). "Wu notifies governor, speaker of resignation". Associated Press. Yahoo! News. http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110804/ap_on_go_co/us_wu_resignation. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Giffords resigns House seat to focus on recovery". Associated Press. January 25, 2012. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hFOgxmZI1l84ZRGvMEa5ywN5Njmg?docId=3383fa69083f479f80743e3012646b98. 
  30. ^ Nowicki, Dan (January 27, 2012). "Brewer sets Giffords seat election dates". AZCentral.com. The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/azdc/153811. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  31. ^ "U.S. Representative Donald Payne dead at 77". New Jersey Real. March 6, 2012. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/hold_donald_payne.html. 
  32. ^ Livingston, Abby (March 30, 2012). "New Jersey: Special Election Dates For Payne Seat Set". Roll Call. http://atr.rollcall.com/new-jersey-special-election-dates-for-payne-seat-set/. Retrieved March 31, 2012. 
  33. ^ "Inslee resigning House seat for governor's race". Politico.com. March 10, 2012. http://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/03/inslee-resigning-house-seat-for-governors-race-117021.html. 
  34. ^ Cornfield, Jerry (March 29, 2012). "Gregoire: Election in works to replace Inslee". HeraldNet. The Daily Herald. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120329/NEWS01/703309933#Gregoire-Election-in-works-to-replace-Inslee. Retrieved March 31, 2012. 
  35. ^ S.Res. 5, 112th Congress
  36. ^ a b c d H.Res. 1, Electing officers of the House of Representatives, 112th Congress
  37. ^ "VIDEO: Speaker Boehner Swears In Father Patrick J. Conroy as House Chaplain". May 25, 2011. http://www.speaker.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=243030. Retrieved January 25, 2012. 
  38. ^ http://www.legistorm.com/person/Matthew_A_Wasniewski/9915.html
  39. ^ See: Rules of the House: "Other officers and officials"

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

United States Congresses (and years begun)
   

111 (2009)
112 (2011)
113 (2013)
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