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101st Congress (1989–1991)
The 101st Congress ran from January 3, 1989 to January 3, 1991. Democrats held the House (260–175 after the election) and the Senate (55–45). Speaker: Jim Wright, then Tom Foley. 666 laws enacted.
Sources: House and Senate historians; Congress.gov
Quick Answer
- Term
- January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1991
- Sessions
- 1st session 1989 · 2nd session 1990
- House majority
- Democrats 260–175 (initial results)
- Senate majority
- Democrats 55–45
- Speakers
- Jim Wright, then Tom Foley
- Laws enacted
- 666
The House
DEMOCRATS
260
After the election
REPUBLICANS
175
After the election
NON-VOTING
5
4 Delegates + Resident Commissioner
Democrats won a 85-seat edge in the 435-seat House. These are the House historian’s figures from the initial election results; deaths, resignations, special elections and party switches during the Congress are not reflected. The non-voting seats are explained on non-voting members of Congress.
The Senate
MAJORITY
55
Democrats
MINORITY
45
Republicans
The Senate historian records Democrats as the majority.
Speakers of the House
- Jim WrightTX · elected Speaker January 3, 1989
- Tom FoleyWA · elected Speaker June 6, 1989
This Congress elected more than one Speaker. How a Speaker is chosen — and replaced mid-Congress — is covered in how the Speaker is elected.
Laws enacted and days in session
LAWS ENACTED
666
Public and private laws
ENACTMENT RATE
6.5%
Laws ÷ bills and joint resolutions introduced
DAYS IN SESSION
—
Record starts with the 104th (1995)
Law counts are from Congress.gov; see how many laws Congress passes for every Congress compared. Days in session count days either chamber sat, from the daily Congressional Record — days in session by year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the 101st Congress?
The 101st Congress ran from January 3, 1989 to January 3, 1991, with its first session in 1989 and its second in 1990.
Who controlled the 101st Congress?
Democrats held the House (260–175 after the election) and Democrats held the Senate (55–45, as the Senate historian records it).
Who was Speaker of the House in the 101st Congress?
Jim Wright (TX), elected January 3, 1989; Tom Foley (WA), elected June 6, 1989.
How many laws did the 101st Congress pass?
666, counting public and private laws, per Congress.gov. That is 6.5% of the bills and joint resolutions introduced.
Sources: House party divisions, Senate party division, Speakers of the House; laws from Congress.gov.
Related Resources
How Many Laws Has Congress Passed?
Every law this Congress has enacted, the share of bills that make it, and the count for every Congress back to 1951.
How Many Days Does Congress Work?
Session days for every year since 1995 and every Congress — and whether Congress really works less than it used to.
Party Breakdown of Congress
Current Senate and House seats by party — majority margins, Independents, and vacancies, from live data.
When Is Congress in Session?
The House and Senate schedules for the year — session weeks, recesses, and when each chamber is next back.