Updated February 16, 2009
The One Hundred Eleventh (111th) U.S. Congress -- the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives -- meets from 6 January 2009, to 3 January 2011.
It began during the last few weeks of President George W. Bush's administration, which ended with the inauguration of Barack Obama on 20 January 2009.
In the 4 November 2008, elections, the Democratic Party increased its majorities in both chambers. See Party In Power
- Senate: 55 Democrats; 41 Republicans; 2 Independents - Illinois and Minnesota "vacant"
- House: 256 Democrats; 175 Republicans
Congressional Leadership
Senate- President
- Dick Cheney (R) from 6 January 2009 until 20 January 20 2009
- Joe Biden (D) from 20 January 2009 until 3 January 2011
- President pro tempore: Robert Byrd (D)
- Majority Leader and Democratic Conference Chairman:[3] Harry Reid
- Assistant Majority Leader (Majority Whip): Richard Durbin
- Democratic Conference Vice Chairman: Charles Schumer
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman: Bob Menendez
- Democratic Conference Secretary: Patty Murray
- Democratic Policy Committee Chairman: Byron Dorgan
- Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Debbie Stabenow
- Democratic Committee Outreach Chair: Jeff Bingaman
- Democratic Rural Outreach Chair: Blanche Lincoln
- Chief Deputy Whip: Barbara Boxer
- Deputy Whips: Tom Carper, Bill Nelson, and Russ Feingold
- Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell
- Assistant Minority Leader (Minority Whip): Jon Kyl
- Counselor to the Minority Leader: TBD
- Republican Conference Chairman: Lamar Alexander
- Republican Policy Committee Chairman: John Ensign
- Republican Conference Vice Chair: John Thune
- National Republican Senatorial Committeee Chair: John Cornyn
- Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: Nancy Pelosi
- Assistant to the Speaker: Chris Van Hollen
- Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer
- Majority Whip: Jim Clyburn
- Senior Chief Deputy Majority Whip: TBD
- Chief Deputy Majority Whips: TBD
- Democratic Caucus Chairman: John Larson
- Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman: Xavier Becerra
- Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman: Chris Van Hollen
- Democratic Steering/Policy Committee Co-Chairs: George Miller and Rosa DeLauro
- Organization, Study, and Review Chairman: Michael Capuano
- Minority Leader: John Boehner
- Minority Whip: Eric Cantor
- Chief Deputy Minority Whip: TBD
- Republican Conference Chair: Mike Pence
- Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Thaddeus McCotter
- Republican Conference Vice-Chair: Cathy McMorris-Rodgers
- Republican Conference Secretary: John Carter
- Republican Campaign Committee Chairman: Pete Sessions
Major Events
- 6 January 2009 - First session begins
- 8 January 2009 - Joint session to count the Electoral College votes of the 2008 Presidential election
- 20 January 2009 - Inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
- ? January 2010 - Second session begins
- 2 November 2010 - 2010 general elections
Changes In Membership
When a Senator or Representative resigns or dies in office, the seat is usually filled with a replacement. See How Are Senate Vacancies Filled?| Changes In Senate Membership | |||
| State | Vacator | Reason | Replacement |
| Colorado | Ken Salazar (D) | To become Secretary of the Interior | Michael Bennet |
| Delaware | Joe Biden (D) | To become vice president | Ted Kaufman (D) |
| Illinois | Barack Obama (D) | To become president | Roland Burris |
| New York | Hillary Clinton (D) | To become secretary of state | Kirsten E. Gillibrand |