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117th Congress (2021–2023)
The 117th Congress ran from January 3, 2021 to January 3, 2023. Democrats held the House (222–212 after the election) and the Senate (48–50, with caucusing independents or the Vice President’s tie-break). Speaker: Nancy Pelosi. 365 laws enacted.
Sources: House and Senate historians; Congress.gov
Quick Answer
- Term
- January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
- Sessions
- 1st session 2021 · 2nd session 2022
- House majority
- Democrats 222–212 (initial results)
- Senate majority
- Democrats 48–50, with caucusing independents or the Vice President’s tie-break · 2 Independents (all caucus with the Democrats)
- Speaker
- Nancy Pelosi
- Laws enacted
- 365
The House
DEMOCRATS
222
After the election
REPUBLICANS
212
After the election
NON-VOTING
6
5 Delegates + Resident Commissioner
Democrats won a 10-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
48
Democrats
MINORITY
50
Republicans
The Senate historian records Democrats as the majority — with no more seats than the other party, control rested on independents who caucused with them or the Vice President’s tie-breaking vote. Also seated: 2 Independents (all caucus with the Democrats).
Speaker of the House
- Nancy PelosiCA · elected Speaker January 3, 2021
Laws enacted and days in session
LAWS ENACTED
365
Public and private laws
ENACTMENT RATE
2.4%
Laws ÷ bills and joint resolutions introduced
DAYS IN SESSION
421
Either chamber
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 117th Congress?
The 117th Congress ran from January 3, 2021 to January 3, 2023, with its first session in 2021 and its second in 2022.
Who controlled the 117th Congress?
Democrats held the House (222–212 after the election) and Democrats held the Senate (48–50, with caucusing independents or the Vice President’s tie-break, as the Senate historian records it).
Who was Speaker of the House in the 117th Congress?
Nancy Pelosi (CA), elected January 3, 2021.
How many laws did the 117th Congress pass?
365, counting public and private laws, per Congress.gov. That is 2.4% 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.