Order Code RL34752
Senate Committee Party Ratios:
94th - 110th Congresses
November 18, 2008
94th - 111th
Congresses
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance DivisionNovember 23, 2010
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RL34752
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Senate Committee Party Ratios:
94th - 110th111th Congresses
Summary
Summary
The standing rules of the Senate are silent on the subject of committee party ratios. The
apportionment of committee seats results from discussions between majority and minority party
leadership. Committee assignments and ratios are among the first decisions made at the beginning
of a Congress. The leaders implement any ratio agreement through resolutions electing Senators
to committees. In general, it has been the practice of the Senate to apportion committee seats
to to
the majority and minority parties in a manner that corresponds closely to the party
strength in the full chamber strength in the
full chamber. Findings from this study indicate that the majority party ratios on committees
roughly approximate the majority party strength in the Senate chamber, regardless of which party
is in control. This report provides an overview of Senate standing
committee sizes and ratios for the 94th through 110th Congresses. Also included are
data on permanent in
18 Congresses, covering the period of the 94th through the 111th Congresses (1975-2011). Also
included are data on select committees with legislative jurisdiction. A table for each
Congress shows the party division in the Senate, total number of seats on each
committee, number of seats assigned to the majority and minority parties, and, where
present, number of seats assigned to independents. The tables also provide the
number of majority-minority caucus seat margins in the chamber and for each
committee. A comparison of the Senate majority caucus seats in the chamber and
in committees is provided in a separate table.
During the 17 Congresses referenced in this report, the sizes of committees have
generally increased as have the number of committee assignments a Senator typically
receives. Data from this study indicate that the majority party ratios on committees
roughly approximate the majority party strength in the Senate chamber, regardless
of which party is in control. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Contents
Sources and Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Comparative Analysis of Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
109th and 110th Congresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Committee Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Committee Caucus Seat Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Prospects for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
List of Tables
Table 1. Comparison of Senate Majority Caucus Seats in Chamber and
Committees: 94th -110th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table 2. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 110th Congress (2007-2009) . . . . . . . . 7
Table 3. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 109th Congress (2005-2007) . . . . . . . . 8
Table 4. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 108th Congress (2003-2005 ) . . . . . . . 9
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003) . . . . . . . 10
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106th Congress (1999-2001) . . . . . . . 11
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999) . . . . . . . 12
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104th Congress (1995-1997) . . . . . . . 13
Table 9. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 103rd Congress (1993-1995) . . . . . . . 14
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102nd Congress (1991-1993) . . . . . 15
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991) . . . . . . 16
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100th Congress (1987-1989) . . . . . . 17
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987) . . . . . . . 18
Table 14. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98th Congress (1983-1985) . . . . . . . 19
Table 15. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 97th Congress (1981-1983) . . . . . . . 20
Table 16. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 96th Congress (1979-1981) . . . . . . 21
Table 17. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 95th Congress (1977-1979) . . . . . . . 22
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th Congress (1975-1977) . . . . . . . 23
Senate Committee Party Ratios:
94th-110th Congresses
The standing rules of the Senate are silent on the subject of committee party
ratios. The majority and minority leaders, through consultation and negotiation,
determine the apportionment of the committee seats to each party. The leaders
implement this agreement through resolutions electing Senators to committees. This
report provides an overview and data on Senate standing committee party ratios for
the 94th through 110th Congresses (1975-2009). In addition to the standing
committees, data on permanent select committees with legislative jurisdiction are
also included. A comparison of the Senate majority caucus seats in the chamber and
in committees is provided in a separate table.
Sources and Method
Assignment data for each Senate committee for the 94th through the 110th
Congresses were taken from the official committee assignment lists issued by the
Secretary of the Senate, after assignments were made in each Congress.1 Data for the
107th Congress reflect committee ratios established after the Senate reorganization
in June 2001 as a result of the switch in party control.2 The numbers on overall party
strength in the Senate for each Congress were taken from the same lists issued by the
Secretary of the Senate for the 99th through 110th Congresses. Data for the 94th
through 98th Congresses were from the Congressional Directory.
1
The first official list is prepared, excluding preliminary lists, under the direction of the
Secretary of the Senate as a Senate publication. Most of the lists were issued in the spring
of the first session of each Congress. In the 99th Congress, the list used as a source was
marked preliminary, as were all the lists published during the first session of that Congress.
The dates of the publications are footnoted at the end of each table. As noted, the 107th
Congress is an exception due to the unusual circumstances of the equally divided Senate.
2
At the beginning of the 107th Congress, the Senate was divided equally between
Republicans and Democrats. As a result, Democrats chaired all committees for the first 17
days of the session, and Republicans assumed the committee chairmanships following the
inauguration of Vice President Richard Cheney. An historic power sharing agreement,
S.Res. 8, was presented by party leaders and agreed to on Jan. 5, 2001. In June 2001, after
one Republican announced his intention to become an Independent, and switch party
caucuses, the Republicans were reduced to 49 seats and the Democrats, with 50 seats, gained
control of the Senate. A provision of S.Res. 120, agreed to on June 29, 2001, gave the
majority a one seat advantage on each Senate committee (except for the Ethics Committee).
The resolution further provided that no Senator would lose a committee seat by virtue of the
resolution. For more details, see CRS Report RL30881, Senate Organization in the 107th
Congress: Agreements Reached in a Closely Divided Senate, by Elizabeth Rybicki.
CRS-2
The tables at the end of the report provide data for each Senate standing
committee and permanent select committee with legislative jurisdictions. A table for
each of the 17 Congresses covered in this report reflects the committees as
established and titled in that Congress. For each Congress, a table shows the party
division in the Senate, total number of seats on each committee, number of seats
assigned to the majority and minority parties and, where present, number of seats
assigned to independents or other party.3 Data for majority-minority caucus seat
margins in the chamber and for each committee are also presented. Vacancies on
committees (as noted in the Secretary’s lists) are counted in individual and overall
committee totals for consistency.
The following statistical information and selected analyses are based on the
tables to illustrate trends over time and to highlight variations from traditional
practices.4
Comparative Analysis of Ratios
In general, it has been the practice of the Senate to apportion committee seats
to the majority and minority parties in a manner that corresponds closely to the party
strength in the full chamber. The data for the 94th through the 110th Congresses
appear to indicate that the practice has been fairly consistent with the historical trend,
with slight majority over-representation in certain instances (with the exception of
the Committee on Ethics, on which equal party strength is required, and the Select
Committee on Intelligence, which by rule has a one-seat majority edge) regardless
of which party has majority status (see Table 1).
During the 17 Congresses, the widest majority-minority party division was in
the 95th Congress. In this Congress, there were 61 majority (Democrat) seats, 38
minority (Republican) seats, and one Independent who caucused with the majority.
Factoring in the Independent, the majority increased its strength to 62 seats with a
majority-minority caucus seat margin of 24 seats.
Congresses with the three narrowest party divisions in the Senate were the 107th,
108th, and 110th Congresses. In the 107th Congress, an Independent played a pivotal
role by caucusing with the majority (Democrat) party which resulted in 51 caucus
seats for the majority (Democrat) and 49 for the minority (Republican).5 In the 110th
Congress, one Independent and one Independent-Democrat both caucused with the
3
A Conservative-Republican, Senator James L. Buckley (who caucused with the
Republicans), was elected to the 94th Congress.
4
It is to be noted that these are not the only sources and methodologies available and that
the use of alternate sources or methodologies will yield different data and findings. The
number of senators representing a particular party may change during a Congress, due to the
death or resignation of a senator, or as a consequence of a Senator changing party affiliation.
The data in this report are from the earliest available information of each Congress
contained in primary documents.
5
Data referenced for the 107th Congress in this report were compiled after the June 2001
party switch. See footnote 2 for details.
CRS-3
Democrats and consequently shifted the balance of power in favor of the Democrats
which gained majority control in the chamber with 51 caucus seats.6
Thirty years ago, the majority (Democrat) had a substantial numerical advantage
in the three consecutive Congresses: the 94th, 95th, and 96th Congresses. The 94th
Congress witnessed a majority-minority caucus seat margin of 22 in favor of the
majority (Democrat) which held 61 caucus seats. In the 95th Congress, the majority
(Democrat) increased to 62 caucus seats with a caucus margin of 24 seats. The
majority (Democrat) had 59 caucus seats with caucus margin of 18 seats in the 96th
Congress.
109th and 110th Congresses
The total number of committee seats increased from 353 in the 109th Congress
to 372 in the 110th Congress.
In the 109th Congress, the majority (Republican) held 55 seats compared to 44
for the minority (Democrat) with one Independent who caucused with the minority.
The majority-minority caucus seat margin in the chamber was 10, with a caucus seat
margin of 35 in total seats in committees.
In the closely divided 110th Congress, 1 Independent-Democrat and 1
Independent who caucused with the Democrats provided the Democrats with
majority control which resulted in a majority-minority caucus seat margin of 2 in the
chamber, and 18 in total committee seats.
Committee Sizes
During the period examined, there was a total of 22 standing and permanent
select committees with legislative jurisdiction in the 94th Congress, 20 in the 95th
Congress, and 19 from the 96th through the 110th Congresses.
The size of committees in the Congresses covered by this report ranged from 6
(Ethics) to 29 (Appropriations). In all 17 Congresses, the Appropriations Committee
had the distinction of being the largest committee. In the 110th Congress, the
committee had a total of 29 seats: 15 majority (Democrat) and 14 minority
(Republican) seats.
The data indicate that the sizes of Senate committees have generally increased
since the 94th Congress with a corresponding increase in the number of committee
assignments a Senator typically receives. Total committee seats in the 17 Congresses
ranged from 291 in the 95th Congress to 372 in the 110th Congress — an increase of
61 seats, or 21%. Senate Rule XXV, paragraph 4, generally limits the number of
6
In the period examined, Independents were elected to the 94th through 97th Congresses, and
the 107th through 110th Congresses. These Independents caucused with Democrats, while
one Conservative-Republican caucused with the Republicans in the 94th Congress.
CRS-4
standing committee assignments an individual Senator may have to three.7 However,
Senators now serve, on average, on nearly four standing committees each. The
growth in assignments reflects the interests of Senators in serving on more
committees and the need for party leaders to seek waivers of assignment limits to
assure working control for the majority on critical committees.
Committee Caucus Seat Margins
During these 17 Congresses, the majority-minority caucus seat advantage in the
chamber ranged from two seats in each of the 107th, 108th and 110th Congresses to 24
seats in the 95th Congress. In the 110th Congress, the majority-minority caucus seat
margin was two (49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, with one Independent-Democrat
and one Independent caucusing with the Democrats) in the chamber. In each
committee (except Ethics) there was a majority-minority caucus seat margin of one
seat. The same one-seat margin is also evident in each committee (except Ethics) in
the 107th Congress in which there were 50 majority (Democrat), 49 (Republican), and
one Independent who caucused with the majority.8
In both the 105th and 106th Congresses, in which there were 55 majority
(Republican) seats and 45 (Democrat) seats, there was a two-seat margin in all
committees (except for Ethics and Intelligence). Conversely, in the 101st Congress
the other major party was in control with the same party division: 55 majority
(Democrat) seats and 45 minority (Republican) seats. The seat margins in
committees ranged from one to three seats (except for Ethics), which was close to a
two-seat average.
As noted earlier, the 95th Congress had the widest party division with 24 caucus
seats, but the majority-minority caucus seat margin in committee varied greatly.
Excluding Ethics, the majority-minority caucus seat margins in the committees
ranged from one to seven, with about a third of the 20 standing and permanent select
committees having a three or four seat margin; only one committee (Appropriations)
had a majority-minority caucus seat margin of seven. It would appear that having
gained a clear advantage of such a large majority, the party in control did not perceive
the need to secure a wide margin on every committee.
Prospects for the Future
An examination of committee party ratios in the Senate over the 17 Congresses
suggests a trend: the majority party ratios on committees roughly approximate
majority party strength in the Senate chamber, regardless of which party is in control.
7
The standing rules of the Senate are available at [http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules]. For
further information on committee structure and reforms in the Senate, see CRS Report
RL32112, Reorganization of the Senate: Modern Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider, Betsy
Palmer, Christopher M. Davis, and Colton Campbell.
8
Data referenced for the 107th Congress in this report were compiled after the June 2001
party switch. See footnote 2 for details.
CRS-5
Each party has experienced changes in political fortunes; each understands that
the majority of today could become the minority tomorrow. Including the unusual
circumstances of the 107th Congress, majority control of the Senate switched more
than six times since the 96th Congress.
The absence of any standing rules, or any apparent initiatives to establish formal
rules for committee ratios, may indicate that the Senate might continue its longstanding practice of relying on negotiations between majority and minority party
leaders. Barring any drastic departure from past practice, determination of majorityminority committee ratios would likely continue to be based on the Senate principles
of custom, consultation, and comity.
CRS-6
Table 1. Comparison of Senate Majority Caucus Seats in
Chamber and Committees: 94th -110th Congress
Congress
Majority Party
Senate Chamber
Majority Caucus
Seats
Total Majority
Committee
Caucus Seats
110th
Democrat
51.0%
52.4%
109th
Republican
55.0%
55.0%
108th
Republican
51.0%
52.7%
107th
Democrat
51.0%
52.4%
106th
Republican
55.0%
55.2%
105th
Republican
55.0%
55.2%
104th
Republican
53.0%
54.4%
103rd
Democrat
56.0%
55.9%
102nd
Democrat
57.0%
56.6%
101st
Democrat
55.0%
55.0%
100th
Democrat
54.0%
54.8%
99th
Republican
53.0%
53.8%
98th
Republican
54.0%
54.7%
97th
Republican
53.0%
54.2%
96th
Democrat
59.0%
58.6%
95th
Democrat
62.0%
61.2%
94th
Democrat
61.0%
60.9%
Note: Data referenced for the 107th Congress in this report were compiled after the June 2001 party
switch. The data in this table include Independents who caucused with the majority party. The last
column presents the percentage of total committee caucus seats of the majority compared to the
majority caucus seats in the in the chamber.
CRS-7
Table 2. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 110th Congress (2007-2009)
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp-Dem
Indp
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
100
372
49
186
49
177
1
4
1
5
2
18
21
Committees
11
10
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
12
12
1
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
11
10
1
Budget
23
11
11
1
1
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
23
12
11
1
Energy and Natural Resources
23
11
11
1
1
Environment and Public Works
19
8
9
1
1
1
Finance
21
11
10
1
Foreign Relations
21
11
10
1
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
21
10
10
1
1
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
17
8
8
1
1
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
19
9
9
1
1
Veterans’ Affairs
15
7
7
1
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson, Secretary
of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, April 2, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007).
Note: Independent Members caucused with majority (Democrat): Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut was reelected in 2006 as an Independent, and became an IndependentDemocrat. Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont was elected as an Independent.
CRS-8
Table 3. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 109th Congress (2005-2007)
Distribution of Seats
Number
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
100
353
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
55
44
1
10
194
155
4
35
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
20
11
9
2
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
24
13
11
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
22
12
10
2
Energy and Natural Resources
22
12
10
2
Environment and Public Works
18
10
7
1
2
Finance
20
11
8
1
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
20
11
8
1
2
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
16
9
7
2
Indian Affairs
14
8
6
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
18
10
8
2
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
18
10
8
2
Veterans’ Affairs
14
8
5
1
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Emily J. Reynolds,
Secretary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, April 25, 2005 (Washington: GPO, 2005).
Note: Senator James M. Jeffords, an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrat).
CRS-9
Table 4. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 108th Congress (2003-2005 )
Distribution of Seats
Number
Minority (D)
48
171
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
Majority (R)
Indp
Senate Party Strength
100
51
1
2
Total Committee Seats
370
195
4
20
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
21
11
10
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
13
12
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
11
10
1
Budget
23
12
11
1
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
23
12
11
1
Energy and Natural Resources
21
12
9
3
Environment and Public Works
19
10
8
1
1
Finance
21
11
9
1
1
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
21
11
9
1
1
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
15
8
6
1
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eighth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Emily J. Reynolds, Secretary
of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Mar. 31, 2003 (Washington: GPO, 2003).
Note: Senator James M. Jeffords, an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrat).
Total
CRS-10
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003)
Distribution of Seats
Number
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
100
372
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
50
49
1
2
191
177
4
18
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
21
11
10
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
13
12
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
11
10
1
Budget
23
12
11
1
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
23
12
11
1
Energy and Natural Resources
23
12
11
1
Environment and Public Works
19
9
9
1
1
Finance
21
10
10
1
1
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
21
10
10
1
1
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
15
7
7
1
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Seventh Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Jeri Thomson, Secretary
of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Nov. 29, 2001 (Washington: GPO, 2002).
Notes: The data reflect data compiled after the June 2001 party control switch. At the beginning of the 107th Congress, the Senate was divided equally between Republicans and
Democrats. As a result, Democrats chaired all committees for the first 17 days of the session, and Republicans assumed the committee chairmanships following the inauguration of
Vice President Richard Cheney, whose ability to break tie votes made it possible for Republicans to organize the Senate. S.Res. 8, an historic powersharing agreement was presented
by party leaders and agreed to on January 5, 2001. As a result of one Republican announcing his intention to become an Independent and switch party caucuses in May 2001, the
Republicans were reduced to 49 seats and the Democrats, with 50 seats, gained control of the Senate in June 2001. A provision of S.Res. 120, agreed to on June 29, 2001, gave the
majority a one seat advantage on every committee of the Senate (except for the Ethics). The resolution further provided that no Senator would lose a committee seat by virtue of the
resolution.
CRS-11
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106th Congress (1999-2001)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
55
45
187
152
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
100
10
339
35
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
18
10
8
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Governmental Affairs
16
9
7
2
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
18
10
8
2
Indian Affairs
14
8
6
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
18
10
8
2
Veterans’ Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Sixth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Gary Sisco, Secretary of
the Senate by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Mar. 29, 1999 (Washington: GPO, 1999).
CRS-12
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
55
45
186
151
100
337
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
Appropriations
28
Armed Services
18
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
18
Budget
22
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
Energy and Natural Resources
20
Environment and Public Works
18
Finance
20
Foreign Relations
18
Governmental Affairs
16
Labor and Human Resources
18
Indian Affairs
14
Judiciary
18
Rules and Administration
16
Small Business
18
Veterans’ Affairs
12
Select Committee on Ethics
6
Select Committee on Intelligence
19
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred
of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative Clerk, Feb. 14, 1997 (Washington: GPO, 1997).
MajorityMinority
Seat Margin
10
35
10
8
2
15
13
2
10
8
2
10
8
2
12
10
2
11
9
2
11
9
2
10
8
2
11
9
2
10
8
2
9
7
2
10
8
2
8
6
2
10
8
2
9
7
2
10
8
2
7
5
2
3
3
0
10
9
1
Fifth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Gary Scisco, Secretary
CRS-13
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104th Congress (1995-1997)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
53
47
180
151
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
100
6
331
29
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
17
9
8
1
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
21
11
10
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
16
9
7
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
19
10
9
1
Energy and Natural Resources
18
10
8
2
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Governmental Affairs
15
8
7
1
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Indian Affairs
17
9
8
1
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fourth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Sheila P. Burke, Secretary
of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative Clerk, Feb. 27, 1995 (Washington: GPO, 1995).
CRS-14
Table 9. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 103rd Congress (1993-1995)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
100
347
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
56
44
194
153
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
12
41
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
22
12
10
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
19
11
8
3
Budget
21
12
9
3
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
21
12
9
3
Environment and Public Works
17
10
7
3
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
20
11
9
2
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
17
10
7
3
Indian Affairs
18
10
8
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
22
12
10
2
Veterans’ Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committees and Subcommittees Assignments for the One Hundred Third Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary
of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative Clerk, Nov. 22, 1993 (Washington: GPO, 1993). (This publication is marked interim, as were all four of the lists for the First Session of
the 103rd Congress).
CRS-15
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102nd Congress (1991-1993)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
57
43
188
144
Majority-Minority
Seat Margin
100
14
332
44
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
12
9
3
Budget
21
12
9
3
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
17
10
7
3
Finance
19
11
8
3
Foreign Relations
19
11
8
3
Governmental Affairs
13
8
5
3
Labor and Human Resources
17
10
7
3
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
11
8
3
Veterans’ Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
16
9
7
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and Committee Assignments and list of Senators by State of the Senate of the United States
Together with Certain Joint Committees of the Congress for the One Hundred Second Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the Senate, by Barry
J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, Sept. 23, 1991 (Washington: GPO, 1991).
CRS-16
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991)
Total
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (D)
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Minority (R)
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
100
55
45
10
327
180
147
33
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
19
10
9
1
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
12
9
3
Budget
23
13
10
3
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
19
10
9
1
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
11
6
5
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
10
6
4
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and Committee Assignments and List of Senators by State of the Senate
of the Untied States Together with Certain Joint Committees of the One Hundred First Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the Senate, by Barry
J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, May 19, 1989 (Washington: GPO, 1989).
CRS-17
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100th Congress (1987-1989)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats Number
Majority(D)
54
178
Minority (R)
46
147
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
8
31
100
325
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
19
10
9
1
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
24
13
11
2
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
19
10
9
1
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
11
6
5
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Special Committee on Indian Affairs
8
5
3
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and Committee Assignments and List of Senators by State of the Senate
of the Untied States Together with Certain Joint Committees of the One Hundredth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the Senate, by Barry J.
Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, July 1, 1987 (Washington: GPO, 1989).
CRS-18
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987)
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
53
47
168
144
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
100
6
312
24
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
17
9
8
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
19
10
9
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
15
8
7
1
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
17
9
8
1
Energy and Natural Resources
18
10
8
2
Environment and Public Works
15
8
7
1
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
17
9
8
1
Governmental Affairs
13
7
6
1
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
15
8
7
1
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans’ Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
9
5
4
1
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select and Special committees and Committee Assignments and List of Senators by State of the Senate of the United States Together with
Certain Joint Committees of the Congress for the Ninety-Ninth Congress (Preliminary), Prepared Under the Direction of Jo-Anne L. Coe, Secretary of the Senate by Barry J. Wolk,
Director of Senate Printing Services, Aug. 1, 1986 (Washington: GPO, 1986).
CRS-19
Table 14. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98th Congress (1983-1985)
Distribution of Seats
Number
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
54
175
46
145
MajorityMinority
Caucus Seat Margin
8
30
10
15
10
10
12
9
11
9
11
9
10
10
10
7
10
7
3
4
8
8
14
8
8
10
8
9
7
9
8
8
8
8
5
9
5
3
3
7
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
0
1
1
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Appropriations
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Budget
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Energy and Natural Resources
Environment and Public Works
Finance
Foreign Relations
Governmental Affairs
Judiciary
Labor and Human Resources
Rules and Administration
Small Business
Veterans’ Affairs
Select Committee on Ethics
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
Select Committee on Intelligence
Source: Congressional Directory, 98th Congress (Washington: GPO, 1983)
100
320
Committees
18
29
18
18
22
17
20
16
20
17
18
18
18
12
19
12
6
7
15
CRS-20
Table 15. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 97th Congress (1981-1983)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
53
168
46
140
9
15
9
8
12
9
11
9
11
8
14
7
7
10
8
9
7
8
9
9
10
9
7
9
7
3
4
8
8
8
8
7
5
8
5
3
3
7
100
310
Indp
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat
Margin
1
2
6
26
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Appropriations
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Budget
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Energy and Natural Resources
Environment and Public Works
Finance
17
29
17
15
22
17
20
16
20
Foreign Relations
17
Governmental Affairs
17
Judiciary
18
Labor and Human Resources
16
Rules and Administration
12
Small Business
17
Veterans’ Affairs
12
Select Committee on Ethics
6
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
7
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
Source: Congressional Directory, 97th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1981).
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with minority.
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
0
1
1
CRS-21
Table 16. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 96th Congress (1979-1981)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
58
169
41
121
10
17
9
9
12
10
11
8
11
9
9
10
9
6
6
3
3
7
10
8
11
7
6
8
7
7
6
8
6
8
7
6
4
4
3
2
6
7
100
292
Indp
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
1
2
18
50
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
Appropriations
28
Armed Services
17
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
15
Budget
20
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
17
Energy and Natural Resources
18
Environment and Public Works
14
Finance
20
Foreign Relations
15
Governmental Affairs
17
Judiciary
17
Labor and Human Resources
15
Rules and Administration
10
Veterans’ Affairs
10
Select Committee on Ethics
6
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
5
Select Committee on Intelligence
13
Select Committee on Small Business
17
Source: Congressional Directory, 96th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1979).
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with majority.
1
1
2
6
3
3
4
3
4
2
4
3
1
3
3
2
2
0
1
1
3
CRS-22
Table 17. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 95th Congress (1977-1979)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
100
291
61
176
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
18
11
Appropriations
25
16
Armed Services
18
10
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
15
9
Budget
16
10
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
18
11
Energy and Natural Resources
18
11
Environment and Public Works
15
9
Finance
18
10
Foreign Relations
16
10
Governmental Affairs
17
10
Human Resources
15
9
Judiciary
17
11
Rules and Administration
9
6
Veterans’ Affairs
9
6
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
5
3
Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs
8
5
Select Committee on Small Business
9
6
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
Select Committee on Intelligence
19
10
Source: Congressional Directory, 95th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1977).
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with majority.
Minority (R)
Indp
38
113
1
2
7
9
7
6
6
7
7
6
7
6
7
6
6
3
3
2
3
3
3
9
1
1
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
24
65
4
7
4
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
5
3
3
1
2
3
0
1
CRS-23
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th Congress (1975-1977)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Senate Party Strength
Total Committee Seats
100
302
Aeronautical and Space Sciences
Agriculture and Forestry
10
14
60
181
Committees
6
9
Appropriations
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Budget
Commerce
26
16
13
16
19
16
9
8
10
12
Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat Margin
Minority (R)
Consrv-Rep
Indp
38
116
1
2
1
3
4
5
2
4
10
6
5
5
6
6
4
3
4
5
1
1
1
22
66
District of Columbia
7
4
3
1
Finance
18
10
7
1
4
Foreign Relations
17
10
7
3
Governmental Operations
14
9
5
4
Interior and Insular Affairs
14
9
5
4
Judiciary
15
9
6
3
Labor and Public Welfare
15
9
6
3
Post Office and Civil Service
9
5
4
Public Works
14
9
4
1
6
Rules and Administration
8
5
3
2
Veterans’ Affairs
9
5
4
1
Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs
14
8
6
2
Select Committee on Small Business
17
10
7
3
Select Committee on Standards and Conduct
6
3
3
0
Select Committee To Study Governmental
11
6
5
1
Operations With Respect to Intelligence Activities
Source: Congressional Directory, 94th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1975).
Note: Other parties in this Congress: one Independent and one Conservative. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with majority. Senator James L. Buckley, a
Conservative-Republican, caucused with the minority.This report also discusses
trends and compares party ratios in selected Congresses.
During the 18 Congresses examined, the sizes of committees have generally increased as have the
number of committee assignments a Senator typically receives. Each table includes the standing
committees and select committees as established and titled in each Congress. For each Congress,
a table presents the party divisions in the Senate and the total number of seats (1) in the chamber,
(2) in committees, (3) on each committee, (4) assigned to the majority and minority parties and to
Independents and other parties (where present), and (5) majority and minority party seats on each
committee. Data are also provided for the majority-minority seat margin in the chamber, on each
committee, as well as the total seat margin for all standing committees and the select committee.
A comparison of the Senate majority caucus size in the chamber and in committees is provided in
a separate table.
The committee ratios data for the 99th through 111th Congresses are taken from the official
committee lists for each Congress issued by the Secretary of the Senate; the Congressional
Directory is the source for the 94th through 98th Congresses. The earliest editions of these primary
documents are the sources for the data, although anomalies in some Congresses, such as delays in
seating a Senator due to contested elections, necessitated using later versions of the publications.
Use of other versions of these publications, and alternate sources or methodologies, may yield
different results. For example, using data from other sources or time frames reflecting the number
of Senators representing a particular party may change during a Congress, due to the death or
resignation of a Senator, or as a consequence of a Senator changing party affiliation, and could
lead to alternate findings. Party division numbers reflect party strength as indicated in the
Secretary’s lists and the Congressional Directory. Different versions of the Secretary’s list and the
Congressional Directory, or the use of alternate sources or methodologies, may yield different
results.
This report will be updated in the 112th Congress.
Congressional Research Service
Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Contents
Sources and Method....................................................................................................................1
Comparative Analysis of Ratios ..................................................................................................2
110th and 111th Congresses.....................................................................................................3
Committee Sizes ...................................................................................................................3
Committee Caucus Seat Margins...........................................................................................4
Prospects for the Future...............................................................................................................5
Tables
Table 1. Comparison of Senate Majority Caucus Members in Chamber and Committees:
94th -111th Congresses...............................................................................................................6
Table 2. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 111th Congress (2009-2011)..........................................7
Table 3. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 110th Congress (2007-2009) .........................................8
Table 4. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 109th Congress (2005-2007) .........................................9
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 108th Congress (2003-2005 ) ...................................... 10
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003) ....................................... 11
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106th Congress (1999-2001) ....................................... 12
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999) ....................................... 13
Table 9. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104th Congress (1995-1997) ....................................... 14
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 103rd Congress (1993-1995) ..................................... 15
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102nd Congress (1991-1993)..................................... 16
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991)...................................... 17
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100th Congress (1987-1989) ..................................... 18
Table 14. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987) ....................................... 19
Table 15. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98th Congress (1983-1985) ....................................... 20
Table 16. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 97th Congress (1981-1983) ....................................... 21
Table 17. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 96th Congress (1979-1981) ....................................... 22
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 95th Congress (1977-1979) ....................................... 23
Table 19. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th Congress (1975-1977) ....................................... 24
Contacts
Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 25
Congressional Research Service
Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
T
he standing rules of the Senate are silent on the subject of committee party ratios.
Committee assignments and ratios are among the first decisions made at the beginning of a
Congress. The majority and minority leaders, through consultation and negotiation,
determine the relative apportionment of the committee seats to each party. The leaders implement
this agreement through resolutions electing Senators to committees. This report provides an
overview and data on Senate standing committee party ratios for 18 Congresses covering the 94th
through the 111th Congresses (1975-2011). In addition to the standing committees, data on
permanent select committees with legislative jurisdiction are also included. A comparison of the
Senate majority caucus1 size in the chamber and in committees is provided in a separate table.2
Sources and Method
Assignment data for each Senate committee for the 94th through the 111th Congresses in these 18
Congresses were taken from the official committee assignment lists issued by the Secretary of the
Senate, after assignments were made in each Congress.3 Data for the 107th Congress reflect
committee ratios established after the Senate reorganization in June 2001 as a result of the switch
in party control.4 The numbers on overall party strength in the Senate for each Congress were
taken from the same lists issued by the Secretary of the Senate for the 99th through 111th
Congresses.5 The Secretary of the Senate began issuing these committee lists in the 99th Congress,
thus, data for the 94th through 98th Congresses were taken from the Congressional Directory.6 The
data in this report are from the earliest available complete information of each Congress
contained in these two primary documents.7 Vacancies on committees (if so noted in the
secretaries’ lists or the Congressional Directory) are counted in individual and overall committee
1
Senate Democrats and Republicans currently refer to their respective party organizations as “conferences.” The term
“caucus” has been used interchangeably. For the purposes of this report, the word “caucus” is used to describe each
organization.
2
Committee ratios rarely match exactly the chamber ratio, particularly with regard to small committees.
3
Data are generally taken from the first official list prepared as a Senate publication, excluding lists marked “interim”
or “preliminary” which may be incomplete, under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate. There were some
anomalies during the period examined in this report. For example, most of the lists were issued in the spring of the first
session of each Congress. In the 99th Congress, all the Secretary’s lists were marked preliminary for the entire
Congress, however, the first and last versions reflect the same full committee data. The dates of the publications are
footnoted at the end of each table. As noted, the 107th Congress is an exception due to the unusual circumstances of the
equally divided Senate (see footnote 2). The 94th and 111th Congresses were also exceptions due to contested elections,
which resulted in delaying for months the seating of one Senator in each of these Congresses.
4
At the beginning of the 107th Congress, the Senate was divided equally between Republicans and Democrats. As a
result, Democrats chaired all committees for the first 17 days of the session, and Republicans assumed the committee
chairmanships following the inauguration of Vice President Richard Cheney. An historic power sharing agreement,
S.Res. 8, was presented by party leaders and agreed to on January 5, 2001. In June 2001, after one Republican
announced his intention to become an Independent, and switch party caucuses, the Republicans were reduced to 49
seats and the Democrats, with 50 seats, gained control of the Senate. A provision of S.Res. 120, agreed to on June 29,
2001, gave the majority a one seat advantage on each Senate committee (except for the Ethics Committee). The
resolution further provided that no Senator would lose a committee seat by virtue of the resolution. For more details,
see CRS Report RL30881, Senate Organization in the 107th Congress: Agreements Reached in a Closely Divided
Senate, by Elizabeth Rybicki.
5
Party division data cited in the Secretary’s committees list may differ with party data immediately following the
November elections.
6
The Congressional Directory is published by the U.S. Congress, in partnership with the Government Printing Office,
at the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing (Title 44, Section 721 of the U.S. Code).
7
Anomalies and caveats are noted as appropriate in this report or in table footnotes.
Congressional Research Service
1
Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
totals for consistency. Use of other versions of these publications, and the use of alternate sources
or methodologies, may yield different results. For example, data from other sources or time
frames reflecting the number of Senators representing a particular party may change during a
Congress, due to the death or resignation of a Senator, or as a consequence of a Senator changing
party affiliation, and could lead to alternate findings.
A table representing each of the 18 Congresses includes the standing committees and select
committees as established and titled in each Congress. Each table reflects the party divisions in
the Senate and the total number of seats (1) in the chamber, (2) in committees, (3) on each
committee, (4) assigned to the majority and minority parties and to Independents and other party
affiliations (where present)8, and (5) majority and minority party seats on each committee. Data
are also provided for the majority-minority seat margin in the chamber, on each committee, as
well as the total seat margin for all standing committees and select committees. A comparison of
the Senate majority caucus seats in the chamber with total committee seats is provided in Table 1.
The following statistical information and selected analyses are based on the tables to illustrate
trends over time and to highlight variations from traditional practices.
Comparative Analysis of Ratios
In general, it has been the practice of the Senate to apportion committee seats to the majority and
minority parties in a manner that corresponds closely to the party strength in the full chamber.
The data for the 94th through the 111th Congresses bear this out, with slight majority overrepresentation in certain instances (with the exception of the Select Committee on Ethics, on
which equal party strength is required, and the Select Committee on Intelligence, which by Senate
standing order has a one-seat majority advantage) regardless of which party has majority status.
Across the 18 Congresses, the widest majority-minority party divisions in the chamber existed in
the 94th and 95th Congresses. In both Congresses, the majority (Democrats) had 62 caucus
members compared to the 38 members in the minority (Republicans).
The Congresses with the three narrowest party divisions in the Senate were the 107th, 108th, and
110th Congresses. In the 107th Congress, an Independent played a pivotal role by caucusing with
the majority (Democrats) party which resulted in 51 caucus seats for the majority (Democrats)
and 49 for the minority (Republicans).9 In the 110th Congress, one Independent and one
Independent-Democrat both caucused with the Democrats and consequently shifted the balance
of power in favor of the Democrats, who gained majority control in the chamber with 51 caucus
members.10
8
A Conservative-Republican, Senator James L. Buckley (who caucused with the Republicans), was elected to the 94th
Congress. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, formerly a Democrat, was reelected in 2006 as an Independent and is identified
as an Independent-Democrat in the 110th Congress.
9
Data referenced for the 107th Congress in this report were compiled after the June 2001 party switch. See footnote 4
for details.
10
In the period examined, members of other party affiliations were elected to the 94th through 97th Congresses, and the
107th through 111th Congresses. Independents have caucused with Democrats, an Independent-Democrat caucused with
the Democrats, and a Conservative-Republican caucused with Republicans in the 94th Congress.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
The majority (Democrat) had a substantial chamber numerical advantage in three consecutive
Congresses: the 94th, 95th, and 96th Congresses. The 94th Congress witnessed a majority-minority
caucus member margin of 24 in favor of the majority (Democrats), who had 62 caucus members.
In the 95th Congress, the majority (Democrats) also had 62 caucus members and a caucus margin
of 24 seats. In the 96th Congress, the majority (Democrats) had 59 caucus members with a
chamber margin of 18 seats.
During the first session of the 111th Congress, there were notable changes in the majority and
minority party margins, including the party affiliation switch of one Senator from Republican to
Democrat11 and the seating of a Democrat12 several months after a contested election was ruled in
his favor by a state supreme court. These changes resulted in the majority (Democrats) holding an
advantage with 60 caucus seats (58 Democrats and one Independent-Democrat, and one
Independent caucusing with the majority) compared to the minority’s 40 seats. The minority
gained another seat with the election of a Republican13 in a special election in the second session,
thereby increasing the minority to 41 seats resulting in the majority (Democrats) change to 59
caucus members.
110th and 111th Congresses
In the closely divided 110th Congress, one Independent-Democrat and one Independent caucused
with the majority (Democrats) resulting in adding two seats to the majority’s 49 seats. This
resulted in the majority (Democrat) holding 51 caucus seats in the chamber, and an 18 majorityminority caucus member margin in total committee seats.
The majority-minority caucus member margin widened in the 111th Congress. As noted above, the
majority (Democrats) held 58 seats compared to 40 for the minority (Republicans) with one
Independent-Democrat and one Independent who caucused with the majority (Democrats)
bringing the majority (Democrats) to 60 caucus members. The majority-minority caucus margin
in the chamber was 20, with a caucus margin of 63 in total committee seats. The total number of
committee seats increased by 7 seats to 379 seats (from 372 seats in the 110th Congress).
Committee Sizes
During the period examined, there were 22 standing and select committees with legislative
jurisdiction in the 94th Congress, 20 in the 95th Congress, and 19 in the 96th through the 111th
Congresses.
The size of committees in the Congresses covered by this report ranged from 6 (Ethics) to 30
(Appropriations). In all 18 Congresses, the Appropriations Committee had the distinction of being
the largest committee. In the 111th Congress, the Appropriations Committee had a total of 30
seats: 18 majority (Democrats) and 12 minority (Republican) seats.
11
Senator Arlen Specter changed party affiliation from Republican to Democrat on April 30, 2009.
12
Senator Al Franken was elected in the November 2008 election but the election was contested. Following a June 30,
2009, Minnesota State Supreme Court decision, he was sworn into office on July 7, 2009.
13
Senator Scott Brown was elected in a special election on January 19, 2010, and was sworn into office on February 4,
2010.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
The data indicate that the sizes of Senate committees have generally increased since the 94th
Congress with a corresponding increase in the number of committee assignments a Senator
typically receives. Total committee seats in the 18 Congresses ranged from 291 in the 95th
Congress to 379 in the 111th Congress—an increase of 88 seats, or 30.2%. Senate Rule XXV,
paragraph 4, generally limits the number of standing committee assignments an individual
Senator may have to three. 14 However, Senators currently serve, on average, on four standing
committees each. The growth in assignments reflects the interests of Senators in serving on more
committees, the need for party leaders to seek waivers of assignment limits to assure working
control for the majority on critical committees, and the need to accommodate Senators competing
for committee seats.15
Committee Caucus Seat Margins
In both the 94th and 95th Congresses, the majority (Democrats) had the widest caucus member
margin in the chamber during these 18 Congresses at 24 caucus margin seats. However, the
majority-minority caucus margin within committees varied. In the 95th Congress, the majorityminority caucus margins in the committees ranged from one to seven seats (excluding Ethics),
with about a third of the 20 standing and select committees having a three or four seat margin;
only one committee (Appropriations) had a majority-minority party margin of seven. It would
appear that having gained a clear advantage of such a large majority, the party in control did not
perceive the need to secure a wide margin on every committee, although the total committee
caucus member margin was 72 in the 94th Congress and 65 in the 95th Congress.
In the 110th Congress, the majority-minority caucus member margin in the chamber was two (49
Democrats, 49 Republicans, with one Independent-Democrat and one Independent caucusing
with the Democrats). The caucus member margin in total committee seats was 18. In each
committee (except Ethics) there was a majority-minority caucus member margin of one seat. The
same one-seat margin is also evident in each committee (except Ethics) in the 107th Congress in
which there were 50 majority Senators (Democrats), 49 (Republicans), and one Independent who
caucused with the majority. 16
In both the 105th and 106th Congresses, in which there were 55 majority (Republicans) seats and
45 minority (Democrats) seats, there was a two-seat margin in all committees (except Ethics and
Intelligence). In the 101st Congress with the same party division: 55 majority (Democrats) seats
and 45 minority (Republicans) seats, the seat margins in committees ranged from one to three
seats (except Ethics), which was close to a two-seat average.
14
The standing rules of the Senate are available at http://rules.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=RulesOfSenateHome.
See CRS Report 98-183, Senate Committees: Categories and Rules for Committee Assignments, by Judy Schneider, for
more information on the application of this rule and related processes for assignments. For further information on
committee structure and reforms in the Senate and CRS Report RL32112, Reorganization of the Senate: Modern
Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider et al..
15
Roger H. Davidson, Walter J. Oleszek, and Frances E. Lee, “Committees: Workshops of Congress,” in Congress
and Its Members, 12th ed. (Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2010), pp. 204-205.
16
Data referenced for the 107th Congress in this report were compiled after the June 2001 party switch. See footnote 4
for details.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
In the 108th Congress, majority party changed from Democrat to Republican from the previous
Congress. The caucus margin in both Congresses was 51-49, with a one-seat margin on each
committee (except Ethics).
Prospects for the Future
An examination of committee party ratios in the Senate over the 18 Congresses suggests a
pattern: the majority party ratios on committees roughly approximate majority party strength in
the Senate chamber, regardless of which party is in control.
Each party has experienced changes in political fortunes; each understands that the majority of
today could become the minority tomorrow. Including the unusual circumstances of the 107th
Congress, majority control of the Senate switched more than six times since the 96th Congress.
The absence of any standing rules, or any apparent initiatives to establish formal rules for
committee ratios, may indicate that the Senate might continue its long-standing practice of relying
on negotiations between majority and minority party leaders. Barring any drastic departure from
past practice, determination of majority-minority committee ratios would likely continue to be
based on the Senate principles of custom, consultation, and comity.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 1. Comparison of Senate Majority Caucus Members in Chamber and
Committees: 94th -111th Congresses
Congress
Majority Party
Senate Chamber Majority
Caucus Members
Total Majority (Caucus)
Committee Seats
111th
(2009-2011)
Democrat
60.0%
58.3%
110th
(2007-2009)
Democrat
51.0%
52.4%
(2005-2007)
Republican
55.0%
55.0%
108th
(2003-2005)
Republican
51.0%
52.4%
107th
(2001-2003)
Democrat
51.0%
52.4%
106th
(1999-2001)
Republican
55.0%
55.2%
(1997-1999)
Republican
55.0%
55.2%
104th
(1995-1997)
Republican
53.0%
54.4%
103rd
(1993-1995)
Democrat
56.0%
55.8%
(1991-1993)
Democrat
57.0%
56.6%
101st
(1989-1991)
Democrat
55.0%
55.0%
100th
(1987-1989)
Democrat
54.0%
54.8%
99th
(1985-1987)
Republican
53.0%
53.8%
(1983-1985)
Republican
54.0%
54.7%
97th
(1981-1983)
Republican
53.0%
54.2%
96th
(1979-1981)
Democrat
59.0%
58.6%
Democrat
62.0%
61.2%
Democrat
62.0%
61.8%
109th
105th
102nd
98th
95th
(1977-1979)
94th
(1975-1977)
Source: Figures for this table are from data contained in Table 2 through Table 19; sources for each table are
cited. Data in this table include Independents who caucused with the majority party. The last column presents
the percentage of total committee seats of the majority caucus compared to the seats held by members of the
majority caucus in the chamber.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 2. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 111th Congress (2009-2011)
Distribution of Seats
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
IndpDem
Senate Party Strength
100
58
40
1
1
20
Total Committee Seats
379
213
158
3
5
63
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
21
12
9
3
Appropriations
30
18
12
6
Armed Services
26
14
11
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
23
13
10
Budget
23
12
10
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
25
14
11
Energy and Natural Resources
23
12
10
1
3
Environment and Public Works
19
11
7
1
5
Finance
23
13
10
3
Foreign Relations
19
11
8
3
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
23
12
10
Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
17
9
7
Indian Affairs
15
9
6
3
Judiciary
19
12
7
5
Rules and Administration
19
11
8
3
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
19
10
8
Veterans= Affairs
15
9
5
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
14
8
6
2
1
4
3
1
3
3
1
1
3
3
1
3
1
5
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eleventh
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate, by Kathleen Alvarez Tritak,
Legislative Clerk, October 19, 2009 (Washington: GPO, 2009), S. Pub. 111-13. (An earlier version dated June 3,
2009 (S. Pub. 111-9) listed 99 Senators while results of the Minnesota November 2008 election was not yet
resolved.)
Notes: Data in this table reflect the results of a contested election. After the June 30, 2009, Minnesota State
Supreme Court ruling, Senator Al Franken was sworn into office on July 7, 2009. Senator Arlen Specter changed
his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat on April 30, 2009.
Senator Scott Brown was elected to the Senate in the January 19, 2010, special election, and was sworn into
office on February 4, 2010. After that election, the party division changed to 57 (Democrats) and 41
(Republicans).
Senators who caucused with the majority (Democrats): Senator Joseph Lieberman, an Independent-Democrat,
and Senator Bernard Sanders, an Independent. Margins are calculated by adding these Senators’ seats to the
majority seats.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 3. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 110th Congress (2007-2009)
Distribution of Seats
Total Majority (D)
Minority (R)
IndpDem
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
49
49
1
1
2
Total Committee Seats
372
186
177
4
5
18
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
21
11
10
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
12
12
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
21
11
10
Budget
23
11
11
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
23
12
11
Energy and Natural Resources
23
11
11
Environment and Public Works
19
8
9
Finance
21
11
10
1
Foreign Relations
21
11
10
1
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
21
10
10
Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
17
8
8
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and
Entrepreneurship
19
9
9
Veterans= Affairs
15
7
7
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley,
Legislative Clerk, April 2, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007), S. Pub. 110-5.
Note: Independent Members caucused with the majority (Democrats): Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of
Connecticut was reelected in 2006 as an Independent, and became an Independent-Democrat. Senator Bernard
Sanders of Vermont was elected as an Independent.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 4. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 109th Congress (2005-2007)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
55
44
1
10
Total Committee Seats
353
194
155
4
35
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
20
11
9
2
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
24
13
11
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
22
12
10
2
Energy and Natural Resources
22
12
10
2
Environment and Public Works
18
10
7
1
2
Finance
20
11
8
1
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
20
11
8
Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
16
9
7
2
Indian Affairs
14
8
6
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
18
10
8
2
Small Business and
Entrepreneurship
18
10
8
2
Veterans= Affairs
14
8
5
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
2
1
1
2
2
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Emily J. Reynolds, Secretary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley,
Legislative Clerk, April 25, 2005 (Washington: GPO, 2005), S. Pub. 109-10.
Note: Senator James M. Jeffords, an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrats).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 108th Congress (2003-2005 )
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
51
48
1
2
Total Committee Seats
372
195
173
4
18
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
21
11
10
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
13
12
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
11
10
1
Budget
23
12
11
1
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
23
12
11
1
Energy and Natural Resources
23
12
11
1
Environment and Public Works
19
10
8
1
1
Finance
21
11
9
1
1
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
21
11
9
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and
Entrepreneurship
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
15
8
6
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
1
1
1
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eighth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Emily J. Reynolds, Secretary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley,
Legislative Clerk, March 31, 2003 (Washington: GPO, 2003), S. Pub. 108-5.
Note: Senator James M. Jeffords, an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrats).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
50
49
1
2
Total Committee Seats
372
191
177
4
18
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
21
11
10
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
25
13
12
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
21
11
10
1
Budget
23
12
11
1
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
23
12
11
1
Energy and Natural Resources
23
12
11
1
Environment and Public Works
19
9
9
1
1
Finance
21
10
10
1
1
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
21
10
10
Indian Affairs
15
8
7
1
Judiciary
19
10
9
1
Rules and Administration
19
10
9
1
Small Business and
Entrepreneurship
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
15
7
7
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
1
1
1
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Jeri Thomson, Secretary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative
Clerk, November 29, 2001 (Washington: GPO, 2001), S. Pub. 107-21.
Notes: This table reflects data compiled after the June 2001 party control switch. At the beginning of the 107th
Congress, the Senate was divided equally between Republicans and Democrats. As a result, Democrats chaired
all committees for the first 17 days of the session, and Republicans assumed the committee chairmanships
following the inauguration of Vice President Richard Cheney, whose ability to break tie votes made it possible
for Republicans to organize the Senate. S.Res. 8, an historic power sharing agreement was presented by party
leaders and agreed to on January 5, 2001. As a result of one Republican announcing his intention to become an
Independent and switch party caucuses in May 2001, the Republicans were reduced to 49 seats and the
Democrats, with 50 seats, gained control of the Senate in June 2001. A provision of S.Res. 120, agreed to on
June 29, 2001, gave the majority a one seat advantage on every committee of the Senate (except for the Ethics).
The resolution further provided that no Senator would lose a committee seat by virtue of the resolution.
Senator James M. Jeffords changed party affiliation from Republican to Independent and caucused with
Democrats effective June 6, 2001.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106th Congress (1999-2001)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
55
45
10
Total Committee Seats
339
187
152
35
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
18
10
8
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Governmental Affairs
16
9
7
2
Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
18
10
8
2
Indian Affairs
14
8
6
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
18
10
8
2
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Sixth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Gary Sisco, Secretary of the Senate by David J. Tinsley, Legislative
Clerk, March 29, 1999 (Washington: GPO, 1999), S. Pub. 106-3.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
55
45
10
Total Committee Seats
337
186
151
35
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
18
10
8
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
18
10
8
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
18
10
8
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Governmental Affairs
16
9
7
2
Labor and Human Resources
18
10
8
2
Indian Affairs
14
8
6
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
18
10
8
2
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
19
10
9
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fifth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Gary Sisco, Secretary of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative
Clerk, February 14, 1997 (Washington: GPO, 1997), S. Pub. 105-6. (An interim list was published dated Jan. 9,
1997, S. Pub. 3.)
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 9. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104th Congress (1995-1997)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
53
47
6
Total Committee Seats
331
180
151
29
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
17
9
8
1
Appropriations
28
15
13
2
Armed Services
21
11
10
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
16
9
7
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
19
10
9
1
Energy and Natural Resources
18
10
8
2
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
18
10
8
2
Governmental Affairs
15
8
7
1
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Indian Affairs
17
9
8
1
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fourth
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Sheila P. Burke, Secretary of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative
Clerk, February 27, 1995 (Washington: GPO, 1995), S. Pub. 104-6. (An incomplete interim list was published on
January 25, 1995, S. Pub. 104-3.)
Note: Data reflect Senator Richard Shelby’s party affiliation change from Democrat to Republican, a few days
after the 1994 election, on November 9, 1994. Data do not reflect Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s party
affiliation change from Democrat to Republican on March 3, 1995, because it occurred after the February 27,
1995, publication was issued.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 103rd Congress (1993-1995)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
56
44
12
Total Committee Seats
346
193
153
40
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
22
12
10
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
19
11
8
3
Budget
21
12
9
3
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
17
10
7
3
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
20
11
9
2
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
17
10
7
3
Indian Affairs
18
10
8
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
22
12
10
2
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
17
9
8
1
Source: The Senate of the United States Committees and Subcommittees Assignments for the One Hundred Third
Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the Senate, by R. Scott Bates,
Legislative Clerk, Nov. 22, 1993 (Washington: GPO, 1993), S. Pub. 103-10. Prior to this list, there were three
interim committee lists: S. Pub. 103-1 (February 19, 1993), S. Pub. 103-3 (March 24, 1992), and S. Pub. 103-7
(July 20, 1993).
Note: In 1984, the Select Committee on Indian Affairs became a permanent committee (S.Res. 127). Later, in
1993, the Select Committee on Indian Affairs was redesignated as the Committee on Indian Affairs (S.Res. 71).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102nd Congress (1991-1993)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
57
43
14
Total Committee Seats
332
188
144
44
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
21
12
9
3
Budget
21
12
9
3
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
17
10
7
3
Finance
19
11
8
3
Foreign Relations
19
11
8
3
Governmental Affairs
13
8
5
3
Labor and Human Resources
17
10
7
3
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
11
8
3
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian
Affairs
16
9
7
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and Committee
Assignments and list of Senators by State of the Senate of the United States Together with Certain Joint Committees of the
Congress for the One Hundred Second Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of
the Senate, by Barry J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, Sept. 23, 1991 (Washington: GPO, 1991), S.
Pub. 102-9. Two interim lists issued: S. Pub. 102-3 (March 25, 1991) and S. Pub. 102-7 (June 21, 1991).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
55
45
10
Total Committee Seats
327
180
147
33
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
19
10
9
1
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
21
12
9
3
Budget
23
13
10
3
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
19
10
9
1
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
11
6
5
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian
Affairs
10
6
4
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and
Committee Assignments and List of Senators by State of the Senate of the United States Together with Certain Joint
Committees of the One Hundred First Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of
the Senate, by Barry J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, May 19, 1989 (Washington: GPO, 1989), S.
Pub. 101-1. (An interim list was issued, S. Pub. 101-1 (March 15, 1989.)
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100th Congress (1987-1989)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority(D)
Minority (R)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
54
46
8
Total Committee Seats
325
178
147
31
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
19
10
9
1
Appropriations
29
16
13
3
Armed Services
20
11
9
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
20
11
9
2
Budget
24
13
11
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
20
11
9
2
Energy and Natural Resources
19
10
9
1
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
19
10
9
1
Governmental Affairs
14
8
6
2
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
14
8
6
2
Rules and Administration
16
9
7
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
11
6
5
1
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Special Committee on Indian
Affairs
8
5
3
2
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Subcommittees and Subcommittees and Select and Special Committees and
Committee Assignments and List of Senators by State of the Senate of the United States Together with Certain Joint
Committees of the One Hundredth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the
Senate, by Barry J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, July 1, 1987 (Washington: GPO, 1987), S. Pub.
100-1.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 14. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
53
47
6
Total Committee Seats
312
168
144
24
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
17
9
8
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
19
10
9
1
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
15
8
7
1
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
17
9
8
1
Energy and Natural Resources
18
10
8
2
Environment and Public Works
15
8
7
1
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
17
9
8
1
Governmental Affairs
13
7
6
1
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
15
8
7
1
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
9
5
4
1
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select and Special Committees and Committee Assignments and List of
Senators by State of the Senate of the United States Together with Certain Joint Committees of the Congress for the
Ninety-Ninth Congress (Preliminary), Prepared Under the Direction of Jo-Anne L. Coe, Secretary of the Senate by
Barry J. Wolk, Director of Senate Printing Services, April 1, 1985, (Washington: GPO, 1985), S. Pub. 99-2. (All
the Secretary of the Senate committee lists in this Congress were marked preliminary. Later preliminary versions
were S. Pub. 99-6 (May 1, 1985), S. Pub. 99-9 (October 1, 1985), and S. Pub. 99-15 (August 1, 1986).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 15. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98th Congress (1983-1985)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
54
46
8
Total Committee Seats
320
175
145
30
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
18
10
8
2
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
18
10
8
2
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
17
9
8
1
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
9
2
Foreign Relations
17
9
8
1
Governmental Affairs
18
10
8
2
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Labor and Human Resources
18
10
8
2
Rules and Administration
12
7
5
2
Small Business
19
10
9
1
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
7
4
3
1
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
Source: Congressional Directory, 98th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1983). Data are based on closing
date for compiling Directory material March 31, 1983.
Note: In 1984, the Select Committee on Indian Affairs was made a permanent committee of the Senate (S. Res.
127).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 16. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 97th Congress (1981-1983)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
53
46
1
6
Total Committee Seats
310
168
140
2
26
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
17
9
8
1
Appropriations
29
15
14
1
Armed Services
17
9
7
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
15
8
7
1
Budget
22
12
10
2
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
17
9
8
1
Energy and Natural Resources
20
11
9
2
Environment and Public Works
16
9
7
2
Finance
20
11
8
Foreign Relations
17
9
8
1
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Judiciary
18
10
8
2
Labor and Human Resources
16
9
7
2
Rules and Administration
12
7
5
2
Small Business
17
9
8
1
Veterans= Affairs
12
7
5
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian
Affairs
7
4
3
1
Select Committee on Intelligence
15
8
7
1
1
1
1
2
Source: Congressional Directory, 97th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1981). Data are based on closing
date for compiling Directory material April 1,1981
Notes: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrats).
In 1981, the Select Committee on Small Business became the Committee on Small Business, a standing
committee.
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 17. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 96th Congress (1979-1981)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
58
41
1
18
Total Committee Seats
292
169
121
2
50
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
10
8
2
Appropriations
28
17
11
6
Armed Services
17
9
7
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
15
9
6
3
Budget
20
12
8
4
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
17
10
7
3
Energy and Natural Resources
18
11
7
4
Environment and Public Works
14
8
6
2
Finance
20
11
8
Foreign Relations
15
9
6
3
Governmental Affairs
17
9
8
1
Judiciary
17
10
7
3
Labor and Human Resources
15
9
6
3
Rules and Administration
10
6
4
2
Veterans= Affairs
10
6
4
2
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Indian
Affairs
5
3
2
1
Select Committee on Intelligence
13
7
6
1
Select Committee on Small
Business
17
10
7
3
1
1
3
4
Source: Congressional Directory, 96th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1979). Data are based on closing
date for compiling Directory material March 23, 1979.
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with the majority (Democrats).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 95th Congress (1977-1979)
Distribution of Seats
Total
Majority (D)
Senate Party Strength
100
61
Total Committee Seats
291
176
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
38
1
24
113
2
65
Minority (R)
Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
18
11
7
4
Appropriations
25
16
9
7
Armed Services
18
10
7
Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs
15
9
6
3
Budget
16
10
6
4
Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
18
11
7
4
Energy and Natural Resources
18
11
7
4
Environment and Public Works
15
9
6
3
Finance
18
10
7
Foreign Relations
16
10
6
4
Governmental Affairs
17
10
7
3
Human Resources
15
9
6
3
Judiciary
17
11
6
5
Rules and Administration
9
6
3
3
Veterans= Affairs
9
6
3
3
Select Committee on Indian Affairs
5
3
2
1
Select Committee on Nutrition and
Human Needs
8
5
3
2
Select Committee on Small
Business
9
6
3
3
Select Committee on Ethics
6
3
3
0
Select Committee on Intelligence
19
10
9
1
1
1
4
4
Source: Congressional Directory, 95th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1977). Data are based on closing
date for compiling Directory material March 25, 1977.
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with the majority (Democrats).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Table 19. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th Congress (1975-1977)
Distribution of Seats
Total
ConsrvRep
Majority (D) Minority (R)
Indp
Majority-Minority
(Caucus) Seat
Margin
Senate Party Strength
100
61
37
1
1
24
Total Committee Seats
304
186
113
3
2
72
Committees
Aeronautical and Space Sciences
10
6
4
2
Agriculture and Forestry
14
9
5
4
Appropriations
26
16
10
6
Armed Services
16
9
6
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
13
8
5
Budget
16
10
5
1
4
Commerce
20
13
6
1
6
District of Columbia
7
4
3
Finance
18
10
7
Foreign Relations
16
10
6
4
Governmental Operations
14
9
5
4
Interior and Insular Affairs
14
9
5
4
Judiciary
15
9
6
3
Labor and Public Welfare
16
10
6
4
Post Office and Civil Service
9
6
3
3
Public Works
14
9
4
Rules and Administration
9
6
3
3
Veterans= Affairs
9
6
3
3
Select Committee on Nutrition and
Human Needs
14
8
6
2
Select Committee on Small Business
17
10
7
3
Select Committee on Standards and
Conduct
6
3
3
0
Select Committee To Study
Governmental Operations With
Respect to Intelligence Activities
11
6
5
1
1
4
3
1
1
1
4
4
Source: Congressional Directory, 94th Congress, 2nd sess. (Washington: GPO, 1975). Data are based on closing
date for compiling Directory material by December 19, 1975. New Hampshire Senate 1974 election results
were contested. On August 8, 1975, the Senate declared the seat vacant. On the same day, former Senator
Norris H. Cotton (Republican) was appointed to fill the seat until a special election was held. After winning a
special election on September 16, 1975, Senator John Durkin (Democrat) was sworn into office on September
18, 1975. Data in this table reflect committee ratios of a total of 100 Senators following Senator Durkin’s
election.
Note: Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with the majority (Democrats). Senator James L.
Buckley, a Conservative-Republican, caucused with the minority (Republicans).
Congressional Research Service
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Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 111th Congresses
Author Contact Information
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
ltong@crs.loc.gov, 7-5846
Congressional Research Service
25