United States Congress

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The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the United States of America's federal government. It consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, with members chosen through direct election.

Click on the map below to find your state's congressional delegation.


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Overview

General overview

Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Senate

See also: United States Senate

The Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress. Each U.S. state is represented by two senators, regardless of population. This ensures equal representation of each state in the Senate. U.S. senators serve staggered six-year terms.

According to the U.S. Constitution, senators must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 30 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years
  • Be a resident of the state he or she represents

House of Representatives

See also: United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives, commonly referred to as "the House," is the lower house of the U.S. Congress. Each state receives representation in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one representative. The total number of voting representatives is currently fixed at 435. There are also five delegates and one resident commissioner, who do not have full voting rights. House representatives serve two-year terms.[1]

According to the U.S. Constitution, representatives must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 25 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years
  • Be a resident of the state he or she represents

Word meaning

Portal:Legislative Branch

The term congress not only refers to the collective legislative body, but also to a specific two-year period. For example, the congress for the years 2025-2026 is also called the 119th Congress.[2][3]

U.S. Constitution

“ All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.[4] ”
—United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 1
Senate amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The formation and powers of Congress are laid out in ten sections of Article I of the United States Constitution:

  • Section 1: Gives all legislative powers to Congress
  • Section 2: Defines the basic formation of the House of Representatives and the qualifications for its members
  • Section 3: Defines the basic formation of the Senate and the qualifications for its members
  • Section 4: Defines how elections are held
  • Section 5: Defines how legislative meetings should be conducted
  • Section 6: Gives compensation for services to members, provides certain freedoms from arrest during sessions, limits membership in other civil offices
  • Section 7: Defines how bills originate and become law
  • Section 8: Lists specific powers granted to Congress
  • Section 9: Provides limits to certain powers
  • Section 10: Limits certain powers of the states

Vetoes

Presidents have the power to veto legislation passed by Congress. Click here for information on vetoes issued by Joe Biden (D), click here for information on vetoes issued by Donald Trump (R), and click here for information on vetoes issued by Barack Obama (D).

Current leadership and partisan balance

See also: 119th United States Congress

Leadership

Partisan balance

Partisan composition, U.S. Senate
119th Congress
Party Members
Democratic 45
Republican 53
Independent 2[5]
Vacancies 0
Total 100


Partisan composition, U.S. House
119th Congress
Party Members
Democratic 213
Republican 220
Vacancies 2
Total 435

Elections

2026

See also: United States Congress elections, 2026

Elections to the U.S. Congress will take place on November 3, 2026. All 435 districts in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election. Five of the Senate's six non-voting members are also up for election.

U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 3, 2026 After the 2026 Election
     Democratic Party
45[6]
TBD
     Republican Party
52
TBD
     Independent
2[6]
TBD
     Vacant
1
TBD
Total
100
100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 3, 2026 After the 2026 Election
     Democratic Party
214
TBD
     Republican Party
219
TBD
     Vacancies
2
TBD
Total
435
435

2024

See also: United States Congress elections, 2024
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 5, 2024 After the 2024 Election
     Democratic Party
47[6]
45[7]
     Republican Party
49
53
     Independent
4[6]
2[7]
Total
100
100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 5, 2024 After the 2024 Election
     Democratic Party
212
215
     Republican Party
220
220
     Vacancies
3
0
Total 435 435[8]

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 5, 2024. All six of the House’s non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Democrats and independents who caucused with them had a 51-49 majority. Democrats held 19 of the 33 seats up for election, Republicans held 10, and independents held four. Republicans had a 220-212 majority with three vacancies in the House.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won one independent-held seat, and Republicans won three Democratic-held seats and one independent-held seat. In the House elections, Democrats won 10 Republican-held seats, and Republicans won nine Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Republicans gained a 53-45 majority with two independents in the Senate. Republicans maintained a majority in the House, winning 220 districts to Democrats’ 215 districts.

Three incumbent Democratic senators lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 5, 2024. In the House, 11 incumbent representatives—four Democrats and seven Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns. Additionally, four incumbent representatives—two Democrats and two Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 118th Congress.


General election results

Analysis articles leading up to the 2024 general elections

2022

See also: United States Congress elections, 2022
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 8, 2022 After the 2022 Election
     Democratic Party 48[6] 48
     Republican Party 50 49
     Independent 2[6] 3
     Vacancies 0 0
Total 100 100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 8, 2022 After the 2022 Election
     Democratic Party 220 213
     Republican Party 212 222
     Vacancies 3 0[9]
Total 435 435

A total of 469 seats in the U.S. Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 8, 2022. Five of the House’s six non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Democrats and independents who caucused with them had a 50-50 majority in the Senate. The Democratic majority was due to the results of the 2020 presidential election, which empowered Vice President Kamala Harris (D) to cast a tie-breaking vote. Democrats held 14 of the 34 seats up for election and Republicans held 20. Democrats had a 220-212 majority with three vacancies in the House.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won one Republican-held seat. In the House elections, Democrats won five Republican-held seats, and Republicans won 15 Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Democrats retained a 48-49 majority with three independents in the Senate. Republicans gained a majority in the House, winning 222 districts to Democrats’ 213 districts.

No incumbent senators lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 8, 2022. In the House, nine incumbent representatives—six Democrats and three Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 8, 2022. Additionally, 14 incumbent representatives—six Democrats and eight Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 117th Congress.


General election results

Analysis articles leading up to the 2022 general elections

2020

See also: United States Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of January 3, 2019 After the 2020 Election
     Democratic Party 45 48[6]
     Republican Party 53 50
     Independent 2 2[6]
     Vacancies 0 0
Total 100 100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 3, 2020 After the 2020 Election
     Democratic Party 232 222
     Republican Party 197 213
     Libertarian Party 1 0
     Vacancies 5 0
Total 435 435

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 3, 2020. All six of the House’s non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Republicans had a 53-45 majority in the Senate. Democrats held 12 of the 33 seats up for election and Republicans held 21. Democrats had a 232-197 majority with five vacancies in the House. One member was a Libertarian.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won four Republican-held seats, and Republicans won one Democratic-held seat. In the House elections, Democrats won three Republican-held seats. Republicans won 14 Democratic-held seats and one Libertarian-held seat.

As a result of the elections, Democrats and independents who caucused with them gained a 50-50 majority in the Senate. The Democratic majority was due to the results of the 2020 presidential election, which empowered Vice President Kamala Harris (D) to cast a tie-breaking vote. Democrats maintained a majority in the House, winning 222 districts to Republicans’ 213 districts.

Five incumbent senators—one Democrat and four Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 3, 2020. In the House, 13 incumbent representatives—all Democrats—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 3, 2020. Additionally, eight incumbent representatives—three Democrats and five Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

A special election was also held to fill a vacancy that occurred in the 116th Congress.


General election results

Analysis articles leading up to the 2020 general elections

2018

See also: United States Congress elections, 2018
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 5, 2018 After the 2018 Election
     Democratic Party 47 45
     Republican Party 51 53
     Independent 2 2
     Vacancies 0 0
Total 100 100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 5, 2018 After the 2018 Election
     Democratic Party 193 235
     Republican Party 235 200[10]
     Vacancies 7 0
Total 435 435

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 6, 2018. Five of the House’s six non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Republicans had a 51-47 majority in the Senate with two independents who caucused with Democrats. Democrats held 26 of the 33 seats up for election, Republicans held nine, and independents held two. Democrats had a 233-198 majority in the House with four vacancies.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won two Republican-held seats, and Republicans won four Democratic-held seats. In the House elections, Democrats won 43 Republican-held seats, and Republicans won three Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Republicans retained a 53-45 majority in the Senate. Democrats gained a majority in the House, winning 235 districts to Republicans’ 200 districts.

Five incumbent senators—four Democrats and one Republican—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 6, 2018. In the House, 30 incumbent representatives—all Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 6, 2018. Additionally, four incumbent representatives—two Democrats and two Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 115th Congress.


General election results

Analysis articles leading up to the 2018 general elections

2016

See also: United States Congress elections, 2016
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 2016 After the 2016 Election
     Democratic Party 44 46
     Republican Party 54 52
     Independent 2 2
Total 100 100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of November 2016 After the 2016 Election
     Democratic Party 186 194
     Republican Party 246 241
     Vacant 3 0
Total 435 435

A total of 469 seats in the U.S. Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 8, 2016. All six of the House’s non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Republicans had a 54-44 majority with two independents who caucused with Democrats. Democrats held 10 of the 34 seats up for election, and Republicans held 24. Republicans had a 246-192 majority in the House with three vacancies.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won two Republican-held seats. In the House elections, Democrats won nine Republican-held seats, and Republicans won three Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Republicans retained a 52-46 majority with two independents in the Senate. Both independents caucused with the Democratic Party. Republicans maintained a majority in the House, winning 241 districts to Democrats’ 194 districts.

Two incumbent senators—both Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 8, 2016. In the House, eight incumbent representatives—two Democrats and six Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 8, 2016. Additionally, five incumbent representatives—two Democrats and three Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 114th Congress.

2014

See also: United States Congress elections, 2014
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown
Party As of 2014 Election After the 2014 Election
     Democratic Party 53 44
     Republican Party 45 54
     Independent 2 2
Total 100 100


U.S. House Partisan Breakdown
Party As of 2014 Election After the 2014 Election
     Democratic Party 201 188
     Republican Party 234 247
     Vacancy 0 0
Total 435 435

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 4, 2014. Five of the House’s six non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Democrats had a 53-45 majority with two independents who caucused with Democrats. Democrats held 20 of the 33 seats up for election, and Republicans held 13. Republicans had a 246-186 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies.

In the Senate elections, Republicans won seven Democratic-held seats. In the House elections, Democrats won three Republican-held seats, and Republicans won 18 Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Republicans gained a 54-44 majority with two independents in the Senate. Both independents caucused with the Democratic Party. Republicans maintained a majority in the U.S. House, winning 247 districts to Democrats’ 188 districts.

Five incumbent senators—all Democrats—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 4, 2014. In the House, five incumbent representatives—one Democrat and four Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 4, 2014. Additionally, 14 incumbent representatives—12 Democrats and two Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 113th Congress.

2012

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) were up for regular election on Nov. 6, 2012. All six of the House’s non-voting members were also up for regular election.

Heading into the elections, Democrats had a 51-47 majority with two independents who caucused with Democrats. Democrats held 21 of 33 seats up for election, Republicans held 10, and independents held two. Republicans had a 232-199 majority in the U.S. House with four vacancies.

In the Senate elections, Democrats won two Republican-held seats, and an independent won a Republican-held seat. In the House elections, Democrats won 16 Republican-held seats, and Republicans won six Democratic-held seats.

As a result of the elections, Democrats maintained a 53-45 majority with two independents in the Senate. Both independents caucused with the Democratic Party. Republicans maintained a majority in the U.S. House, winning 234 districts to Democrats’ 201 districts.

Two incumbent senators—both Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 6, 2012. In the House, 27 incumbent representatives—10 Democrats and 17 Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns on Nov. 6, 2012. Additionally, 13 incumbent representatives—seven Democrats and six Republicans—lost their re-election campaigns during the primary elections.

Special elections were also held to fill vacancies that occurred in the 112th Congress.

Congressional committees

U.S. House


U.S. Senate


Joint committees


Calendar days in session

The following table lists the number of days that the U.S. Congress was in session from 2001 to 2023.[11][12]

The table gives the numbers in terms of calendar days rather than legislative days. A legislative day "begins after an adjournment and ends with an adjournment" and so can last longer than 24 hours.[13]

Days in session for the House and Senate, 2001-2024
Year House Senate
2024 167 178
2023 183 178
2022 164 178
2021 172 192
2020 164 192
2019 193 187
2018 175 191
2017 193 195
2016 131 165
2015 157 168
2014 137 136
2013 161 156
2012 153 153
2011 177 170
2010 128 158
2009 162 191
2008 119 184
2007 167 190
2006 104 138
2005 143 159
2004 110 133
2003 138 167
2002 126 149
2001 146 173

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, "Member FAQs," accessed February 10, 2014
  2. ↑ Dictionary.com, "Congress," accessed June 13, 2013
  3. ↑ The U.S. House of Representatives, "House.gov," accessed June 13, 2013
  4. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. ↑ Two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Two independents caucus with the Democratic Party. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ind" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ind" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ind" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.
  8. ↑ These figures include the seat of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) who resigned after winning re-election.
  9. ↑ Rep. Donald McEachin (D) died on November 28, 2022, after winning re-election. Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D) won a special election on Feb. 21 to fill McEachin's seat and was sworn in on March 7.
  10. ↑ One 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 ballot fraud in the 2018 race. Unofficial returns from the 2018 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 2019 due to health issues. Click here for more information on the aftermath of the 2018 election.
  11. ↑ History, Art, & Archives United States House of Representatives, "List of all Sessions," accessed May 2, 2024
  12. ↑ Congress.gov, "Past Days in Session of the U.S. Congress," accessed May 2, 2024
  13. ↑ History, Art, & Archives United States House of Representatives, "Saturday & Sunday Legislative Days," accessed February 11, 2021
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United States Congress
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