On this page
Congress by Congress
98th Congress (1983–1985)
The 98th Congress ran from January 3, 1983 to January 3, 1985. Democrats held the House (269–166 after the election) and Republicans the Senate (55–45). Speaker: Tip O'Neill. 677 laws enacted.
Sources: House and Senate historians; Congress.gov
Quick Answer
- Term
- January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1985
- Sessions
- 1st session 1983 · 2nd session 1984
- House majority
- Democrats 269–166 (initial results)
- Senate majority
- Republicans 55–45
- Speaker
- Tip O'Neill
- Laws enacted
- 677
The House
DEMOCRATS
269
After the election
REPUBLICANS
166
After the election
NON-VOTING
5
4 Delegates + Resident Commissioner
Democrats won a 103-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
Republicans
MINORITY
45
Democrats
The Senate historian records Republicans as the majority.
Control was divided: Democrats held the House and Republicans the Senate.
Speaker of the House
- Tip O'NeillMA · elected Speaker January 3, 1983
Laws enacted and days in session
LAWS ENACTED
677
Public and private laws
ENACTMENT RATE
6.4%
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 98th Congress?
The 98th Congress ran from January 3, 1983 to January 3, 1985, with its first session in 1983 and its second in 1984.
Who controlled the 98th Congress?
Democrats held the House (269–166 after the election) and Republicans held the Senate (55–45, as the Senate historian records it).
Who was Speaker of the House in the 98th Congress?
Tip O'Neill (MA), elected January 3, 1983.
How many laws did the 98th Congress pass?
677, counting public and private laws, per Congress.gov. That is 6.4% 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.