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96th Congress (1979–1981)
The 96th Congress ran from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1981. Democrats held the House (278–157 after the election) and the Senate (58–41). Speaker: Tip O'Neill. 736 laws enacted.
Sources: House and Senate historians; Congress.gov
Quick Answer
- Term
- January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
- Sessions
- 1st session 1979 · 2nd session 1980
- House majority
- Democrats 278–157 (initial results)
- Senate majority
- Democrats 58–41 · 1 Independent (caucused with the Democrats)
- Speaker
- Tip O'Neill
- Laws enacted
- 736
The House
DEMOCRATS
278
After the election
REPUBLICANS
157
After the election
NON-VOTING
4
3 Delegates + Resident Commissioner
Democrats won a 121-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
58
Democrats
MINORITY
41
Republicans
The Senate historian records Democrats as the majority. Also seated: 1 Independent (caucused with the Democrats).
Speaker of the House
- Tip O'NeillMA · elected Speaker January 15, 1979
Laws enacted and days in session
LAWS ENACTED
736
Public and private laws
ENACTMENT RATE
5.9%
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 96th Congress?
The 96th Congress ran from January 3, 1979 to January 3, 1981, with its first session in 1979 and its second in 1980.
Who controlled the 96th Congress?
Democrats held the House (278–157 after the election) and Democrats held the Senate (58–41, as the Senate historian records it).
Who was Speaker of the House in the 96th Congress?
Tip O'Neill (MA), elected January 15, 1979.
How many laws did the 96th Congress pass?
736, counting public and private laws, per Congress.gov. That is 5.9% 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.