House Committee Party Ratios:
98th-111th Congresses
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
November 4, 2010
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R40478
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Summary
The ratio of the majority and minority parties in the House standing committees is the number of
members of each party caucus assigned to each committee. Determining committee assignments
and ratios are among the first actions taken at the beginning of a Congress. The apportionment of
committee seats results from discussions between majority and minority party leadership.
Historically, the number of majority seats on most committees have exceeded, in varying degrees,
the strength of the majority party in the House chamber, regardless of which party is in power. In
instances of close party division in the House chamber, the majority party has acted to ensure that
it has a working majority in committees. The exception has been the House Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct, for which House Rules guarantee an equal share of the seats to the
two parties.
The standing rules of the House of Representatives are silent regarding committee party ratios.
On occasion, party rules have stated a party’s position on the matter.
This report provides statistical information on and selected analyses of the House committee
party ratios for 14 Congresses, covering the period from the 98th through the 111th Congresses
(1983-2011). Committee ratios data for this report are from the earliest available editions of the
official committee lists for each Congress issued by the Clerk of the House. Later versions of the
Clerk’s lists or the use of alternate sources or methodologies may yield different results.
Independent Members are listed separately, consistent with the Clerk’s committee lists. For each
Congress, the total party division numbers reflect party strength after the November elections;
however, they do not reflect changes due to deaths or resignations followed by special elections,
or changes in party affiliation after the beginning of the Congress. Tables for each Congress
include the standing committees and a permanent select committee as established and titled in
each Congress. For each Congress, a table presents the party divisions in the House chamber and
the total number of seats (1) in the chamber, (2) in committee seats, (3) on each committee, (4)
assigned to the majority and minority parties and to Independents (where present), and (5)
majority and minority party seats on each committee. Data is 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 separate table compares majority party strength
in the House chamber with total majority committee seats in the 14 Congresses.
This report also discusses trends and compares party ratios in selected Congresses. Possible
reforms to the apportionment of committee seats are also examined. This report will be updated to
reflect the House committee party ratios in the 112th Congress.
Congressional Research Service
House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Contents
Sources and Method.................................................................................................................... 1
Comparative Analysis of Ratios in Selected Congresses ............................................................. 2
110th and 111th Congresses Comparisons ............................................................................... 3
109th and 110th Congresses Comparisons ............................................................................... 3
103rd and 104th Congresses Comparisons ............................................................................... 4
98th and 102nd Congresses Comparisons ................................................................................ 4
Controversy and Possible Reforms .............................................................................................. 5
Disputes over Committee Ratios ........................................................................................... 5
Committee Size..................................................................................................................... 5
Concluding Observations ............................................................................................................ 6
Tables
Table 1. Comparison of Majority Party Strength in House Chamber and Total Committee
Seats 98th-111th Congresses (1983-2011)................................................................................... 7
Table 2. House Committee Party Ratios 111th Congress (2009-2011) ........................................... 8
Table 3. House Committee Party Ratios 110th Congress (2007-2009)........................................... 9
Table 4. House Committee Party Ratios 109th Congress (2005-2007)......................................... 10
Table 5. House Committee Party Ratios 108th Congress (2003-2005)......................................... 11
Table 6. House Committee Party Ratios 107th Congress (2001-2003)......................................... 12
Table 7. House Committee Party Ratios 106th Congress (1999-2001)......................................... 13
Table 8. House Committee Party Ratios 105th Congress (1997-1999)......................................... 14
Table 9. House Committee Party Ratios 104th Congress (1995-1997)......................................... 15
Table 10. House Committee Party Ratios 103rd Congress (1993-1995)....................................... 16
Table 11. House Committee Party Ratios 102nd Congress (1991-1993) ...................................... 17
Table 12. House Committee Party Ratios 101st Congress (1989-1991) ....................................... 18
Table 13. House Committee Party Ratios 100th Congress (1987-1989)....................................... 19
Table 14. House Committee Party Ratios 99th Congress (1985-1987)......................................... 20
Table 15. House Committee Party Ratios 98th Congress (1983-1985)......................................... 21
Contacts
Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 22
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... 22
Congressional Research Service
House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
he ratio of the majority and minority parties in the House standing committees is the
number of members of each party caucus assigned to each committee. Determining
T committee assignments and ratios are among the first actions taken at the beginning of a
Congress. The apportionment of committee seats results from discussions between majority and
minority party leaderships. This report provides statistical information on and selected analyses of
House committee party ratios for 14 Congresses from the 98th through the 111th Congresses
(1983-2011). Tables for each Congress include the standing committees and a permanent select
committee as established and titled in each Congress. An additional table provides a comparison
of majority party strength in the House chamber and total committee seats.
The standing rules of the House of Representatives are silent regarding committee party ratios.
On occasion, party rules have stated a party’s position on the matter.1
An analysis of some trends, party ratios in selected Congresses, and possible reforms to the
apportionment of committee seats is provided.
Sources and Method
The sources for the data covered in this report are the official lists of standing committees and a
select committee published by the Clerk of the House early in each Congress. The Clerk’s lists
used in this study are the earliest available editions. At the end of each table are the sources and
their issuance dates. Assignment data for each committee from the 98th through the 111th
Congresses are provided. The data reflect the full number of seats assigned to each party, even in
instances when some assignments made by a party left seats vacant. Independent Members are
listed separately, consistent with the Clerk’s committee lists. Data on overall party strength in the
House are taken from historical tables in the 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory, 110th
Congress, for the 98th through 110th Congresses.2 The data for the 111th Congress is from the
Clerk of the House website.3 For each Congress, the total party division numbers reflect party
strength after the November elections; however, they do not reflect changes due to deaths or
resignations followed by special elections, or changes in party affiliation after the beginning of
the Congress.4
The Delegates representing American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico,5
are included in the figures for total number of committee seats. Under House Rule III, the
Delegates and Resident Commissioner have the same powers and privileges in committees on
1 For example, Rules of the Democratic Caucus for the One Hundred Tenth Congress, adopted November 16, 2006,
included Rule 12: The Democratic Leadership shall work to ensure that committee ratios are at least as representative
of the number of Democrats in the House and that each panel include the greatest number of Democrats possible.
Identical language for Rule 12 is contained in Rules of the Democratic Caucus, Adopted temporarily for the 111th
Congress on November 18, 2008.
2 S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,110th Congress, (Washington: 2007), p. 553.
3 The Clerk of the House website is available at http://clerk.house.gov.
4 Reported numbers reflect initial figures in the Clerk’s committee lists cited at the end of each table, and will only be
updated to reflect corrected clerical anomalies.
5 Delegates and the Resident Commissioner represent the constituencies of territories and possessions owned or
administered by the United States but not admitted to statehood. In accordance with P.L. 110-229, Gregorio Kilili
Camacho Sablan became the first delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands on January 6, 2009.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
which they serve as do Members of the House. They have the right to vote in committees on
which they serve, accrue seniority, and be appointed to select and conference committees. They
are not included in the figures for total House Members because they do not have the right to vote
in the full House except in the Committee of the Whole.6 Total House data and percentages are
based on 435 Members.
Tables for each Congress reflect the standing and a permanent select committee as established
and titled in each Congress. For each Congress, a table presents the party divisions in the House
chamber and the total number of seats (1) in the chamber, (2) in committees seats, (3) on each
committee, (4) assigned to the majority and minority parties and to Independents (where present),
and (5) majority and minority party seats on each committee. Data is 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 separate table compares majority party
strength in the House chamber with total majority committee seats. For consistency, vacancies on
committees are counted in individual and overall committee totals.7
Comparative Analysis of Ratios in
Selected Congresses
In the 14 Congresses covered in this report, the 98th Congress witnessed the widest majority-
minority seat margin at 103 seats in the House chamber, with 269 seats for the majority
(Democrat) and 166 seats for the minority (Republican). The Congress with the next widest
majority-minority seat margin was the 102nd Congress, which had a majority-minority seat
margin of 100 with 267 majority (Democrat) seats, 167 minority (Republican) seats.
The 107th Congress had the narrowest majority-minority seat margin with nine seats. The party
division in this Congress was 221 seats for the majority (Republican) to 212 (Democrat). There
were also 2 Independents. Of the 859 total committee seats in this Congress, there were 469
committee seats for the majority (Republican), 387 seats for the minority (Democrat), and 3 seats
for 2 Independents.
The total number of committee seats was the lowest (779 seats) in the 98th Congress when the
majority (Democrat) held 500 committee seats compared to the minority’s 279 seats. The highest
number of committee seats totaled 889 in the 103rd Congress with a majority-minority division in
the chamber at 258 (Democrat) to 176 (Republican), and 1 Independent. The majority (Democrat)
held 544 committee seats to the 343 minority (Republican) seats with a seat margin of 201, and
the Independent held 2 committee seats.
During the period covered by the report, the total number of committee seats has increased
incrementally from 779 seats in the 98th Congress to a high of 889 seats in the 103rd Congress. In
6 Under House rules (H.Res. 5) adopted in the 103rd Congress, Delegates and the Resident Commissioner had the same
powers and privileges as Members when the House was sitting in Committee of the Whole. However, House rules
(H.Res. 6) adopted in the 104th Congress rescinded this right. In the 110th Congress, this power was reinstated (H.Res.
78); Rule III, clause 3(a).
7 It should be noted that these are not the only sources and methodologies available and that the use of alternate sources
and methodologies will yield different data and findings. For example, data in publications issued later in a Congress
may yield different results.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
the 104th Congress, the new majority (Republican) reduced total committee seats by 103 from the
previous Congress to a total of 786 seats. The incremental increases since the initial reduction in
the 104th Congress included the creation of the Homeland Security Committee which became a
standing committee in the 109th Congress.8
Historically, majority seats on most committees have exceeded, in varying degrees, the strength
of the majority party in the House chamber. The exception has been the House Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct, for which House Rules guarantee an equal share of the seats to the
two parties. In instances of close party divisions in the House chamber, the majority party has
acted to ensure that it has a working majority in committees. This trend is reflected in the
Congresses covered during which party control changed from the 103rd to the 104th Congresses,
and again from the 109th to the 110th Congresses. The data indicate that regardless of which party
is in the majority, the majority party’s representation in committee exceeds its party strength in
the chamber (see Table 1).
110th and 111th Congresses Comparisons
In the 110th Congress, the majority (Democrats) held 233 seats compared to the 202 seats for the
minority (Republicans) in the House of Representatives. The majority-minority seat margin in the
chamber was 31. Of the total 878 standing and the permanent select committee seats, the majority
held 487 seats compared to 391 seats for the minority. ). Three committees with the widest seat
margins were Appropriations (8); and Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means
(each 7).
The majority (Democrats) maintained its status in the 111th Congress and increased its numbers to
257 seats in the House chamber with the minority (Republican) holding 178 seats with a
majority-minority seat margin of 79. Total committee seats decreased from 878 to 869, with 525
total seats for the majority (Democrat) and 342 seats for the minority (Republican).9 The
majority-minority committee seat margin was 183. Excluding the Committee on Standards of
Official Conduct, the majority-minority seat margin ranged from 4 to 15. The 4 committees with
the highest majority seat advantage were Transportation and Infrastructure (15), Appropriations
(14); and Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services (each 13).
A comparison of the 110th and 111th Congresses indicate that the majority-minority seat margin
increased from 31 to 79 in the House chamber while the overall total of committee seats
decreased by 9.
109th and 110th Congresses Comparisons
In the 109th Congress, the majority (Republican) held 232 seats compared to the minority’s
(Democrat) 202 seats (and 1 Independent) in the House chamber. The majority-minority seat
margin in the chamber was 30. Of the total 878 committee seats, the majority (Democrat) held
487 seats compared to 389 seats for the minority (Republican); and 1 Independent held 2 seats.
8 In 2002, the Committee on Homeland Security was created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 as a Select, non-
permanent committee to provide oversight over the development of the Department of Homeland Security. At the
beginning of the 109th Congress, the Committee was made permanent and was designated a standing committee.
9 Two seats held by a delegate, an Independent, are included in the 868 total committee seats.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Excluding the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, the majority-minority committee seat
margins ranged from three to eight seats. The committees with the widest seat margins were
Appropriations (8); Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means (each 7).
In the 110th Congress when the majority changed, the party division strength in the chamber
flipped almost exactly from the 109th Congress. The new majority (Democrat) held 233 seats
compared to 202 seats held by the minority (Republican), resulting in a majority-minority seat
margin of 31. Total committee seats remained at 487 for the majority 391 seats for a total of 878
committee seats. Excluding the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, the majority-
minority seat margin ranged from two to eight seats. As in the previous Congress, the 3
committees with the widest seat margins were Appropriations (8); Transportation and
Infrastructure, and Ways and Means (each 7).
103rd and 104th Congresses Comparisons
In the 103rd Congress, the majority (Democrat) held 258 seats compared to 176 seats for the
minority (Republican) and 1 Independent in the House chamber with a majority-minority seat
margin of 82. Of the total 889 committee seats, the majority (Democrat) had 544 committee seats,
the minority (Republican) had 343 seats, and 1Independent had 2 seats. The majority-minority
total committee seat margin was 201.
In the 104th Congress, the majority party in the House changed for the first time in 40 years and
the new majority (Republican) had 230 seats compared to 204 seats for the minority (Democrat),
and 1 Independent in the House chamber. The majority-minority seat margin narrowed from 82
seats in the previous Congress to 26 seats. Of the total 786 committee seats, the majority
(Republican) held 435 seats, the minority (Democrat) held 348 seats, and 1 Independent held 3
seats. The majority-minority committee seat margin was 87. Total committee seats decreased by
103 from the 103rd Congress to the 104th Congress.
98th and 102nd Congresses Comparisons
The 98th Congress had a party division of 269 majority (Democrat) seats and 166 minority
(Republican) seats in the House chamber, with a 103 majority-minority seat margin. Total
committee seat margin was 221 with widest majority-minority committee seat margin on
Appropriations (15); and Interior and Insular Affairs, and Public Works and Transportation (each
14). Excluding the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, majority-minority committee
seat margins ranged from 4 to 15.
The 102nd Congress witnessed the next widest majority-minority seat margin. The House
composition of 267 majority (Democrat) seats and 167 minority (Republican) seats (with 1
Independent) gave the majority a seat advantage of 100 in the chamber, 3 less seats than the 103
seats in the 98th Congress. There were a total of 870 committee seats in the 102nd Congress, with
the widest majority-minority committee seat margins on Appropriations, and Public Works and
Transportation (each 15).
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Controversy and Possible Reforms
Disputes over Committee Ratios
Party ratios on committees have been controversial regardless of which party has controlled the
House of Representatives. Consideration of House rules packages at the outset of each Congress
has evoked contentious debate on these ratios. Supporters of the majority party have often
considered ratios affording it a “working majority” on committees as a vital element in securing
its prerogative to advance its legislative agenda. Especially when its margin of control in the
House is narrow, and especially on certain key committees, the majority party may consider the
maintenance of a disproportionate majority as crucial to the advancement of its program. These
considerations would likely lead the majority to continue to insist on maintaining representation
in committees that exceeds the majority party’s ratio in the full chamber.
Others argue that under-representation of the minority party on committees is inappropriate,
particularly because the potential for influencing legislation is often greatest at the committee
stage. They contend that under-representation of the minority at this stage not only tends to
diminish the legislative role of its members, but also thereby deprives the electorate of the
representation it sought in electing those Members.
In addition, dissatisfaction among minority party Members arising from disproportionate
committee ratios could have an adverse impact on comity and bipartisanship. These effects may
make the legislative process more difficult. Supporters of this view urge that, especially under
contemporary conditions of close partisan divisions in the House, it may be in the interest of the
institution to reduce internal tensions over committee ratios.
Since assignments and ratios are among the first organizing actions that are taken at the beginning
of a Congress, such determinations could set the tone for the duration of the Congress.
Committee Size
Changes in national and legislative priorities may have an impact on the sizes and ratios of certain
committees that have jurisdiction over particular issues. Committee sizes may also increase or
decrease depending on the interests of individual Members and the party leaders.
If there is agreement to increase minority representation on committees, the parties first must
consider how to accommodate the increased proportion of minority seats—that is, whether it is
desirable to increase the overall size of the committees or whether it is feasible to maintain the
sizes of committees. If the sizes are maintained, reducing majority seats on the committee would
require some committee Members to give up their seats.
The alternative would be to create additional seats for minority party members, which would
increase overall committee sizes. Some believe that committees are already too large, and that
increasing the sizes of certain committees could make them unwieldy and less efficient. Time for
questioning at larger committee hearings may affect time allotted to Members with less seniority.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Concluding Observations
As the data indicate, regardless of which party is the majority, the majority party’s committee
ratios have exceeded its strength in the House chamber. In the absence of a House rule or an
established formula to apportion committee party ratios, the data and practices of both parties
when in the majority suggest that the subject will likely continue as a controversial issue for
debate.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 1. Comparison of Majority Party Strength in House Chamber and Total
Committee Seats 98th-111th Congresses (1983-2011)
% Difference of
Majority Between
Majority
Majority % Total
House Chamber
% of House
Committee
and Total
Congress Majority
Party Chamber
Seats
Committees Seats
111th Democrat 59.1% 60.4%
1.3%
110th Democrat 53.6% 55.5%
1.9%
109th Republican 53.3%
55.5%
2.2%
108th Republican 52.6%
54.6%
2.0%
107th Republican 50.8%
54.6%
3.8%
106th Republican 51.3%
54.9%
3.6%
105th Republican 52.0%
55.4%
3.4%
104th Republican 52.9%
55.3%
2.4%
103rd Democrat 59.3% 61.2%
1.9%
102nd Democrat 61.4% 62.1%
0.7%
101st Democrat 59.8% 61.2%
1.4%
100th Democrat 59.3% 61.0%
1.7%
99th Democrat 58.2% 60.4% 2.2%
98th Democrat 61.8% 64.2% 2.4%
Source: Data are from the official committee lists issued by the Clerk of the House. The Clerk’s lists used are
the earliest available editions. Percentages are rounded. Data for the House chamber are based on a total of 435
Members.
Note: The use of alternate sources and methodologies may yield different data.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 2. House Committee Party Ratios 111th Congress (2009-2011)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435 257
178
79
Total Committee Seats
869 525
342
2
183
Committee
Agriculture
46 28
18
10
Appropriations
60 37
23
14
Armed Services
62 37
25
12
Budget
39 24
15
9
Education and Labor
49 29
19
1
10
Energy and Commerce
59 36
23
13
Financial Services
71 42
29
13
Homeland Security
34 21
13
8
House Administration
9 6
3
3
Foreign Affairs
47 28
19
9
Judiciary
40 24
16
8
Natural Resources
49 28
20
1
8
Oversight and Government Reform 41 25
16
9
Rules
13 9
4
5
Science and Technology
44 27
17
10
Small Business
29 17
12
5
Standards of Official Conduct
10 5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75 45
30
15
Veterans’ Affairs
29 18
11
7
Ways and Means
41 26
15
11
Permanent Select on Intelligence
22 13
9
4
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives of the United States with
an Alphabetical List of the Members and their Committee Assignments, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Prepared
under the direction of Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House of Representatives, February 11, 2009,
(Washington: GPO, 2009). Data for total House Member numbers are from http://clerk.house.gov.
Note: Note: If Independent Members caucus with the majority or the minority party, they are not so noted in
the Clerk’s lists. One delegate, an Independent, is not included in the data for Total House Members.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 3. House Committee Party Ratios 110th Congress (2007-2009)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
233
202
31
Total Committee Seats
878
487
391
96
Committee
Agriculture 46
25
21
4
Appropriations 66
37
29
8
Armed Services
62
34
28
6
Budget 39
22
17
5
Education and Labor
49
27
22
5
Energy and Commerce
57
31
26
5
Financial Services
70
37
33
4
Homeland Security
34
19
15
4
House Administration
9
6
3
3
Foreign Affairs
50
27
23
4
Judiciary 40
23
17
6
Natural Resources
49
27
22
5
Oversight and Government Reform
41
23
18
5
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science and Technology
44
24
20
4
Smal Business
33
18
15
3
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75
41
34
7
Veterans’ Affairs
29
16
13
3
Ways and Means
41
24
17
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
21
12
9
3
Source: List of Standing Committees Together with an Alphabetical List of the Members and their Committee
Assignments of the House of Representatives of the United States, the One Hundred Tenth Congress, Prepared under
the direction of Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House of Representatives, March 6, 2007, (Washington: GPO,
2007). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,
110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 4. House Committee Party Ratios 109th Congress (2005-2007)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R) Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
232
202
1
30
Total Committee Seats
878
487
389
2
98
Committee
Agriculture 46
25
21
4
Appropriations 66
37
29
8
Armed Services
62
34
28
6
Budget 39
22
17
5
Education and the Workforce
49
27
22
5
Energy and Commerce
57
31
26
5
Financial Services
70
37
32
1
5
Government Reform
41
23
17
1
6
Homeland Security
34
19
15
4
House Administration
9
6
3
3
International Relations
50
27
23
4
Judiciary 40
23
17
6
Resources 49
27
22
5
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 44
24
20
4
Smal Business
33
18
15
3
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75
41
34
7
Veterans’ Affairs
29
16
13
3
Ways and Means
41
24
17
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
21
12
9
3
Source: Standing Committees of the House of Representatives of the United States, One Hundred Ninth Congress,
Prepared under the direction of Jeff Trandahl, Clerk of the House of Representatives, March 16, 2005,
(Washington: GPO, 2005). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official
Congressional Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 5. House Committee Party Ratios 108th Congress (2003-2005)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R) Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
229
204
1
25
Total Committee Seats
862
471
389
2
82
Committee
Agriculture 51
27
24
3
Appropriations 65
36
29
7
Armed Services
62
33
29
4
Budget 43
24
19
5
Education and the Workforce
49
27
22
5
Energy and Commerce
57
31
26
5
Financial Services
70
37
32
1
5
Government Reform
44
24
19
1
5
House Administration
9
6
3
3
International Relations
49
26
23
3
Judiciary 37
21
16
5
Resources 52
28
24
4
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 47
25
22
3
Smal Business
37
19
18
1
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75
41
34
7
Veterans’ Affairs
31
17
14
3
Ways and Means
41
24
17
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
20
11
9
2
Source: Standing Committees of the House of Representatives of the United States, One Hundred Eighth Congress,
Compiled by Jeff Trandahl, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Corrected to March 5, 2003, (Washington:
GPO, 2003). Data on the Select Committee on Homeland Security are excluded because the panel was
temporary in the 107th and 108th Congresses. Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13,
2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 6. House Committee Party Ratios 107th Congress (2001-2003)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
221
212
2
9
Total Committee Seats
859
469
387
3
82
Committee
Agriculture 51
27
24
3
Appropriations 65
35
29
1
6
Armed Services
60
32
28
4
Budget 43
24
19
5
Education and the Workforce
49
27
22
5
Energy and Commerce
57
31
26
5
Financial Services
70
37
32
1
5
Government Reform
44
24
19
1
5
House Administration
9
6
3
3
International Relations
49
26
23
3
Judiciary 37
21
16
5
Resources 52
28
24
4
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 47
25
22
3
Smal Business
36
19
17
2
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75
41
34
7
Veterans’ Affairs
31
17
14
3
Ways and Means
41
24
17
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
20
11
9
2
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress with An Alphabetical List of the Members and Their
Committee Assignments, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Prepared under the direction of Jeff Trandahl, Clerk of the
House of Representatives, June 28, 2001, (Washington: GPO, 2001). Data on the Select Committee on
Homeland Security are excluded because the panel was temporary in the 107th Congress. Data for total House
Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory, 110th Congress,
(Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 7. House Committee Party Ratios 106th Congress (1999-2001)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
223
211
1
12
Total Committee Seats
835
458
375
2
83
Committee
Agriculture 51
27
24
3
Appropriations 61
34
27
7
Armed Services
60
32
28
4
Banking and Financial Services
60
32
27
1
5
Budget 43
24
19
5
Commerce 53
29
24
5
Education and the Workforce
49
27
22
5
Government Reform
44
24
19
1
5
House Administration
9
6
3
3
International Relations
49
26
23
3
Judiciary 37
21
16
5
Resources 52
28
24
4
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 47
25
22
3
Smal Business
36
19
17
2
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
75
41
34
7
Veterans’ Affairs
31
17
14
3
Ways and Means
39
23
16
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
16
9
7
2
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress with An Alphabetical List of the Members and Their
Committee Assignments, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Prepared under the direction of Jeff Trandahl, Clerk of the
House of Representatives, March 4, 1999, (Washington: GPO, 1999). Data for total House Member numbers are
from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 8. House Committee Party Ratios 105th Congress (1997-1999)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
226
207
2
19
Total Committee Seats
816
452
362
2
90
Committee
Agriculture 50
27
23
4
Appropriations 60
34
26
8
Banking and Financial Services
58
31
26
1
5
Budget 43
24
19
5
Commerce 51
28
23
5
Education and the Workforce
45
25
20
5
Government Reform and
Oversight
44 24 19 1
5
House Oversight
9
6
3
3
International Relations
48
26
22
5
Judiciary 35
20
15
5
National Security
57
31
26
5
Resources 50
27
23
4
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 46
25
21
4
Smal Business
35
19
16
3
Standards of Official Conduct
14
7
7
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
73
40
33
7
Veterans’ Affairs
30
17
13
4
Ways and Means
39
23
16
7
Permanent Select on Intelligence
16
9
7
2
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Prepared under the
direction of Robin H. Carle, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Aug. 4, 1997, (Washington: GPO, 1997).
Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory, 110th
Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 9. House Committee Party Ratios 104th Congress (1995-1997)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (R)
Minority (D)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
230
204
1
26
Total Committee Seats
786
435
348
3
87
Committee
Agriculture 49
27
22
5
Appropriations 56
32
24
8
Banking and Financial Services
50
27
22
1
5
Budget 42
24
18
6
Commerce 46
25
21
4
Economic and Educational
Opportunities
43 24 19
5
Government Reform and Oversight
50
27
22
1
5
House Oversight
12
7
5
2
International Relations
43
23
19
1
4
Judiciary 35
20
15
5
National Security
55
30
25
5
Resources 45
25
20
5
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science 50
27
23
4
Smal Business
41
22
19
3
Standards of Official Conduct
10
5
5
0
Transportation and Infrastructure
61
33
28
5
Veterans’ Affairs
33
18
15
3
Ways and Means
36
21
15
6
Permanent Select on Intelligence
16
9
7
2
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Prepared under
the direction of Robin H. Carle, Clerk of the House of Representatives, March 22, 1995, (Washington: GPO,
1995). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,
110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 10. House Committee Party Ratios 103rd Congress (1993-1995)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D) Minority (R)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
258
176
1
82
Total Committee Seats
889
544
343
2
201
Committee
Agriculture 45
27
18
9
Appropriations 60
37
23
14
Armed Services
56
34
22
12
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
51
30
20
1
10
Budget 43
26
17
9
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
42
27
15
12
Energy and Commerce
44
27
17
10
Foreign Affairs
45
27
18
9
Government Operations
42
25
16
1
9
House Administration
19
12
7
5
Judiciary 35
21
14
7
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
46
28
18
10
Natural Resources
43
28
15
13
Post Office and Civil Service
24
15
9
6
Public Works and Transportation
63
39
24
15
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science, Space and Technology
55
33
22
11
Smal Business
45
27
18
9
Standards of Official Conduct
14
7
7
0
Veterans’ Affairs
35
21
14
7
Ways and Means
38
24
14
10
Permanent Select on Intelligence
19
12
7
5
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundred Third Congress, Prepared under the
direction of Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Feb. 25, 1993, (Washington: GPO,
1993). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,
110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 11. House Committee Party Ratios 102nd Congress (1991-1993)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Indp.
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
267
167
1
100
Total Committee Seats
870
540
328
2
212
Committee
Agriculture 45
27
18
9
Appropriations 59
37
22
15
Armed Services
55
33
22
11
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
52
31
20
1
11
Budget 37
23
14
9
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
39
25
14
11
Energy and Commerce
43
27
16
11
Foreign Affairs
46
28
18
10
Government Operations
41
25
15
1
10
House Administration
24
15
9
6
Interior and Insular Affairs
46
29
17
12
Judiciary 34
21
13
8
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
46
29
17
12
Post Office and Civil Service
23
15
8
7
Public Works and Transportation
57
36
21
15
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science, Space and Technology
51
32
19
13
Smal Business
44
27
17
10
Standards of Official Conduct
14
7
7
0
Veterans’ Affairs
34
21
13
8
Ways and Means
36
23
13
10
Permanent Select on Intelligence
19
12
7
5
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundred Second Congress, Prepared under
the direction of Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, March 25, 1991, (Washington:
GPO, 1991). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional
Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 12. House Committee Party Ratios 101st Congress (1989-1991)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
260
175
85
Total Committee Seats
842
515
327
188
Committee
Agriculture 45
27
18
9
Appropriations 57
35
22
13
Armed Services
54
32
22
10
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
51
31
20
11
Budget 35
21
14
7
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
35
22
13
9
Energy and Commerce
43
26
17
9
Foreign Affairs
47
28
19
9
Government Operations
39
24
15
9
House Administration
21
13
8
5
Interior and Insular Affairs
41
26
15
11
Judiciary 35
21
14
7
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
45
27
18
9
Post Office and Civil Service
24
15
9
6
Public Works and Transportation
51
31
20
11
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science, Space and Technology
49
30
19
11
Smal Business
44
27
17
10
Standards of Official Conduct
12
6
6
0
Veterans’ Affairs
34
21
13
8
Ways and Means
36
23
13
10
Permanent Select on Intelligence
19
12
7
5
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundred First Congress, Prepared under the
direction of Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Jan. 23,1989, (Washington: GPO,
1989). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,
110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 13. House Committee Party Ratios 100th Congress (1987-1989)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
258
177
81
Total Committee Seats
824
503
321
182
Committee
Agriculture 43
26
17
9
Appropriations 57
35
22
13
Armed Services
52
31
21
10
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
51
31
20
11
Budget 35
21
14
7
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
34
21
13
8
Energy and Commerce
42
25
17
8
Foreign Affairs
45
27
18
9
Government Operations
41
24
17
7
House Administration
19
12
7
5
Interior and Insular Affairs
41
26
15
11
Judiciary 35
21
14
7
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
42
25
17
8
Post Office and Civil Service
22
14
8
6
Public Works and Transportation
52
32
20
12
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science, Space and Technology
45
27
18
9
Smal Business
44
27
17
10
Standards of Official Conduct
12
6
6
0
Veterans’ Affairs
34
21
13
8
Ways and Means
36
23
13
10
Permanent Select on Intelligence
17
11
6
5
Source: Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives of the
United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, One Hundredth Congress, Prepared under the direction
of Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Corrected to Feb. 19, 1987, (Washington:
GPO, 1987). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional
Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 14. House Committee Party Ratios 99th Congress (1985-1987)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
253
182
71
Total Committee Seats
797
481
316
165
Committee
Agriculture 43
26
17
9
Appropriations 57
35
22
13
Armed Services
47
27
20
7
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
49
30
19
11
Budget 33
20
13
7
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
32
19
13
6
Energy and Commerce
42
25
17
8
Foreign Affairs
42
25
17
8
Government Operations
39
23
16
7
House Administration
19
12
7
5
Interior and Insular Affairs
41
25
16
9
Judiciary 35
21
14
7
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
42
25
17
8
Post Office and Civil Service
22
14
8
6
Public Works and Transportation
48
29
19
10
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science and Technology
41
24
17
7
Smal Business
42
25
17
8
Standards of Official Conduct
12
6
6
0
Veterans’ Affairs
34
20
14
6
Ways and Means
36
23
13
10
Permanent Select on Intelligence
16
10
6
4
Source: List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, Ninety-Ninth Congress, Prepared under the
direction of Benjamin J. Guthrie, Clerk of the House of Representatives, April 25, 1985, (Washington: GPO,
1985). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official Congressional Directory,
110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Table 15. House Committee Party Ratios 98th Congress (1983-1985)
Distribution of Seats
Majority-Minority
Total
Majority (D)
Minority (R)
Seat Margin
Total House Members
435
269
166
103
Total Committee Seats
779
500
279
221
Committee
Agriculture 41
26
15
11
Appropriations 57
36
21
15
Armed Services
45
29
16
13
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
47
30
17
13
Budget 31
20
11
9
District of Columbia
12
8
4
4
Education and Labor
32
21
11
10
Energy and Commerce
42
27
15
12
Foreign Affairs
37
24
13
11
Government Operations
39
25
14
11
House Administration
19
12
7
5
Interior and Insular Affairs
42
28
14
14
Judiciary 31
20
11
9
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
40
26
14
12
Post Office and Civil Service
25
16
9
7
Public Works and Transportation
50
32
18
14
Rules 13
9
4
5
Science and Technology
41
26
15
11
Smal Business
41
26
15
11
Standards of Official Conduct
12
6
6
0
Veterans’ Affairs
33
21
12
9
Ways and Means
35
23
12
11
Permanent Select on Intelligence
14
9
5
4
Source: Source for data is List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House
of Representatives of the United States Together with Joint Committees of the Congress, Ninety-Eighth Congress,
Prepared under the direction of Benjamin J. Guthrie, Clerk of the House of Representatives, May 2, 1983,
(Washington: GPO, 1983). Data for total House Member numbers are from S. Pub. 110-13, 2007-2008 Official
Congressional Directory, 110th Congress, (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 553.
Congressional Research Service
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House Committee Party Ratios: 98th-111th Congresses
Author Contact Information
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
ltong@crs.loc.gov, 7-5846
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank Julius C. Jefferson Jr. for his assistance.
Congressional Research Service
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