Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th - 110th Congresses

Senate Committee Party Ratios:
thth
94 - 110 Congresses
November 18, 2008
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division



Senate Committee Party Ratios:
94th - 110th Congresses
Summary
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. This report provides an overview of Senate standing
committee sizes and ratios for the 94th through 110th Congresses. Also included are
data on permanent 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 .................................6th
Table 2. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 110 Congress (2007-2009)........7
Table 3. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 109th Congress (2005-2007)........8th
Table 4. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 108 Congress (2003-2005 ).......9
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003).......10th
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106 Congress (1999-2001).......11
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999).......12th
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104 Congress (1995-1997).......13
Table 9. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 103rd Congress (1993-1995).......14nd
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102 Congress (1991-1993).....15
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991)......16th
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100 Congress (1987-1989)......17
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987).......18th
Table 14. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 98 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).......22th
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94 Congress (1975-1977).......23



Senate Committee Party Ratios:
thth
94-110 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 the1
Secretary of the Senate, after assignments were made in each Congress. Data for the

107th Congress reflect committee ratios established after the Senate reorganization2


in June 2001 as a result of the switch in party control. The numbers on overall party
strength in the Senate for each Congress were taken from the same lists issued by theththth
Secretary of the Senate for the 99 through 110 Congresses. Data for the 94
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 springth
of the first session of each Congress. In the 99 Congress, the list used as a source was
marked preliminary, as were all the lists published during the first session of that Congress.th
The dates of the publications are footnoted at the end of each table. As noted, the 107
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 theth
resolution. For more details, see CRS Report RL30881, Senate Organization in the 107
Congress: Agreements Reached in a Closely Divided Senate, by Elizabeth Rybicki.

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
pract i ces. 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.

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 permanentthth
select committees with legislative jurisdiction in the 94 Congress, 20 in the 95
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 increasedth
since the 94 Congress with a corresponding increase in the number of committee
assignments a Senator typically receives. Total committee seats in the 17 Congressesthth
ranged from 291 in the 95 Congress to 372 in the 110 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, whileth
one Conservative-Republican caucused with the Republicans in the 94 Congress.

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.

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.



Table 1. Comparison of Senate Majority Caucus Seats in
Chamber and Committees: 94th -110th Congress
Senate ChamberTotal Majority
CongressMajority Party Majority CaucusCommittee
SeatsCaucus 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
Total Majority-Minority Caucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)Indp-DemIndp
ate Party Strength1004949112
tal Committee Seats3721861774518
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry2111101
atio ns 29 15 14 1
med Services25121211
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs2111101
iki/CRS-RL34752dget 23 11 11 1 1
g/wmmerce, Science, and Transportation2312111
s.orergy and Natural Resources23111111
leakronment and Public Works1989111
nc e 2 1 1 1 1 0 1
://wikireign Relations2111101
httpth, Education, Labor and Pensions21101011
eland Security and Governmental Affairs178811
ian Affairs15871
1 9 1 0 9 1
les and Administration191091
all Business and Entrepreneurship199911
terans’ Affairs157711
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence15871
The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson, Secretary
e Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, April 2, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007).
Independent Members caucused with majority (Democrat): Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut was reelected in 2006 as an Independent, and became an Independent-
ocrat. 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 Majority-Minority
TotalCaucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)Indp
ate Party Strength1005544110
tal Committee Seats353194155435
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry201192
atio ns 28 15 13 2
med Services2413112
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs201192
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation2212102
ergy and Natural Resources2212102
iki/CRS-RL34752ronment and Public Works1810712
g/wnc e 2 0 1 1 8 1 2
s.orreign Relations181082
leakth, Education, Labor, and Pensions2011812
eland Security and Governmental Affairs16972
://wikiian Affairs14862
http 1 8 1 0 8 2
les and Administration181082
all Business and Entrepreneurship181082
terans’ Affairs148512
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence15871
The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Emily J. Reynolds,
ary of the Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, April 25, 2005 (Washington: GPO, 2005).
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 Majority-Minority
TotalCaucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)Indp
ate Party Strength100514812
tal Committee Seats370195171420
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry2111101
atio ns 29 15 14 1
ed Services2513121
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs2111101
dget 23 12 11 1
mmerce, Science, and Transportation2312111
y and Natural Resources211293
ronment and Public Works1910811
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 1 1 1 9 1 1
g/weign Relations191091
s.orvernmental Affairs17981
leakth, Education, Labor and Pensions2111911
ian Affairs15871
://wiki 1 9 1 0 9 1
httples and Administration191091
all Business and Entrepreneurship191091
terans’ Affairs158611
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence1798
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
e Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Mar. 31, 2003 (Washington: GPO, 2003).
Senator James M. Jeffords, an Independent, caucused with the minority (Democrat).



CRS-10
Table 5. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 107th Congress (2001-2003)
Distribution of Seats
Number
Total Majority-Minority Caucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)Indp
ate Party Strength100504912
tal Committee Seats372191177418
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry2111101
atio ns 29 15 14 1
ed Services2513121
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs2111101
dget 23 12 11 1
mmerce, Science, and Transportation2312111
iki/CRS-RL34752y and Natural Resources2312111ronment and Public Works199911
g/wnc e 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
s.oreign Relations191091
leakvernmental Affairs17981
://wikith, Education, Labor and Pensions21101011
httpian Affairs15871191091
les and Administration191091
all Business and Entrepreneurship191091
terans’ Affairs157711
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence17981
The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Seventh Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Jeri Thomson, Secretary
e Senate, by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Nov. 29, 2001 (Washington: GPO, 2002). th
The data reflect data compiled after the June 2001 party control switch. At the beginning of the 107 Congress, the Senate was divided equally between Republicans and
ocrats. 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
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
y 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
blicans 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
ority 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
lution.



CRS-11
Table 6. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 106th Congress (1999-2001)
Distribution of Seats
NumberMajority-Minority
TotalCaucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
ate Party Strength100554510
tal Committee Seats33918715235
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 28 15 13 2
ed Services201192
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs201192
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources201192
ronment and Public Works181082
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
g/weign Relations181082
s.orvernmental Affairs16972
leakth, Education, Labor and Pensions181082
ian Affairs14862
://wiki 1 8 1 0 8 2
httples and Administration16972
all Business181082
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence17981
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
enate by David J. Tinsley, Legislative Clerk, Mar. 29, 1999 (Washington: GPO, 1999).



CRS-12
Table 7. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 105th Congress (1997-1999)
Distribution of Seats Majority-
NumberMinority
TotalSeat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
ate Party Strength100554510
tal Committee Seats33718615135
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 28 15 13 2
ed Services181082
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs181082
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources201192
ronment and Public Works181082
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
g/weign Relations181082
s.orvernmental Affairs16972
leakd Human Resources181082
ian Affairs14862
://wiki 1 8 1 0 8 2
httples and Administration16972
all Business181082
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence191091
The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fifth Congress, Prepared Under the Direction of Gary Scisco, Secretary
e Senate, by R. Scott Bates, Legislative Clerk, Feb. 14, 1997 (Washington: GPO, 1997).



CRS-13
Table 8. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 104th Congress (1995-1997)
Distribution of Seats Majority-
NumberMinority
TotalCaucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
ate Party Strength10053476
tal Committee Seats33118015129
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry17981
atio ns 28 15 13 2
ed Services2111101
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs16972
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation191091
y and Natural Resources181082
ronment and Public Works16972
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
g/weign Relations181082
s.orvernmental Affairs15871
leakd Human Resources16972
ian Affairs17981
://wiki 1 8 1 0 8 2
httples and Administration16972
all Business191091
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence17981
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
e 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)
Distribution of Seats Majority-
TotalNumberMinority
Caucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)
ate Party Strength100564412
tal Committee Seats34719415341
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 29 16 13 3
ed Services2212102
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs191183
dget 21 12 9 3
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources211293
ronment and Public Works171073
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
g/weign Relations201192
s.orvernmental Affairs14862
leakd Human Resources171073
ian Affairs181082
://wiki 1 8 1 0 8 2
httples and Administration16972
all Business2212102
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence17981
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
e 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 ofrd
Congress).



CRS-15
Table 10. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 102nd Congress (1991-1993)
Distribution of Seats Majority-Minority
TotalNumberSeat Margin
Majority (D)Minority (R)
ate Party Strength100574314
tal Committee Seats33218814444
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 29 16 13 3
ed Services201192
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs211293
dget 21 12 9 3
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources201192
ronment and Public Works171073
iki/CRS-RL34752nce191183eign Relations191183
g/wvernmental Affairs13853
s.ord Human Resources171073
leak 1 4 8 6 2
://wikiles and Administration16972
httpall Business191183terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs16972
mmittee on Intelligence15871
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
her 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
k, Director of Senate Printing Services, Sept. 23, 1991 (Washington: GPO, 1991).



CRS-16
Table 11. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 101st Congress (1989-1991)
Distribution of Seats Majority-
TotalNumberMinority
Caucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)
ate Party Strength100554510
tal Committee Seats32718014733
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry191091
atio ns 29 16 13 3
ed Services201192
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs211293
dget 23 13 10 3
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources191091
iki/CRS-RL34752ronment and Public Works16972
g/wnc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
s.oreign Relations191091
leakvernmental Affairs14862
d Human Resources16972
://wiki 1 4 8 6 2
httples and Administration16972
all Business191091
terans’ Affairs11651
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs10642
mmittee on Intelligence15871
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
e 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
k, Director of Senate Printing Services, May 19, 1989 (Washington: GPO, 1989).



CRS-17
Table 12. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 100th Congress (1987-1989)
Distribution of Seats Number Majority-
TotalMinority Majority(D)Minority (R)
Caucus Seat Margin
ate Party Strength10054468
tal Committee Seats32517814731
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry191091
atio ns 29 16 13 3
ed Services201192
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs201192
dget 24 13 11 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation201192
y and Natural Resources191091
ronment and Public Works16972
iki/CRS-RL34752nce201192eign Relations191091
g/wvernmental Affairs14862
s.ord Human Resources16972
leak 1 4 8 6 2
://wikiles and Administration16972all Business191091
httpterans’ Affairs11651
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs8532
mmittee on Intelligence15871
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
e 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.
k, Director of Senate Printing Services, July 1, 1987 (Washington: GPO, 1989).



CRS-18
Table 13. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 99th Congress (1985-1987)
Distribution of Seats Majority-
TotalNumberMinority
Caucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
ate Party Strength10053476
tal Committee Seats31216814424
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry17981
atio ns 29 15 14 1
ed Services191091
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs15871
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation17981
y and Natural Resources181082
ronment and Public Works15871
iki/CRS-RL34752nc e 2 0 1 1 9 2
g/weign Relations17981
s.orvernmental Affairs13761
leakd Human Resources16972
1 8 1 0 8 2
://wikiles and Administration15871
httpall Business191091
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs9541
mmittee on Intelligence15871
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
tain 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,
or 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
TotalNumber Majority-Minority
Caucus Seat MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
ate Party Strength10054468
tal Committee Seats32017514530
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 29 15 14 1
ed Services181082
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs181082
dget 22 12 10 2
mmerce, Science, and Transportation17981
y and Natural Resources201192
iki/CRS-RL34752ronment and Public Works16972nce201192
g/weign Relations17981
s.orvernmental Affairs181082
leak 1 8 1 0 8 2
://wikid Human Resources181082les and Administration12752
httpall Business191091
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs7431
mmittee on Intelligence15871th
Congressional Directory, 98 Congress (Washington: GPO, 1983)



CRS-20
Table 15. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 97th Congress (1981-1983)
Distribution of SeatsMajority-Minority
TotalIndpCaucus Seat
MarginMajority (R)Minority (D)
nate Party Strength100534616
tal Committee Seats310168140226
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry17981
atio ns 29 15 14 1
med Services179711
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs15871
dget 22 12 10 2
iki/CRS-RL34752mmerce, Science, and Transportation17981
g/wergy and Natural Resources201192
s.or
leakronment and Public Works16972
na nc e 2 0 1 1 8 1 2
://wikireign Relations17981
httpvernmental Affairs17981
diciary 1 8 1 0 8 2
bor and Human Resources16972
les and Administration12752
all Business17981
terans’ Affairs12752
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs7431
mmittee on Intelligence 15871
Congressional Directory, 97th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1981).
Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with minority.



CRS-21
Table 16. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 96th Congress (1979-1981)
Distribution of Seats
TotalIndpMajority-MinorityCaucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)
nate Party Strength1005841118
tal Committee Seats292169121250
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181082
atio ns 28 17 11 6
med Services179713
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs15963
dget 20 12 8 4
iki/CRS-RL34752mmerce, Science, and Transportation171073
g/wergy and Natural Resources181174
s.orronment and Public Works14862
leakna nc e 2 0 1 1 8 1 4
://wikireign Relations15963
httpvernmental Affairs17981
diciary 1 7 1 0 7 3
bor and Human Resources15963
les and Administration10642
terans’ Affairs10642
ommittee on Ethics6330
ommittee on Indian Affairs5321
mmittee on Intelligence 13761
ommittee on Small Business171073
Congressional Directory, 96th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1979).
Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with majority.



CRS-22
Table 17. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 95th Congress (1977-1979)
Distribution of SeatsMajority-Minority
TotalCaucus Seat Margin
Majority (D)Minority (R)Indp
nate Party Strength1006138124
tal Committee Seats291176113265
C o mmi t t e e s
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry181174
atio ns 25 16 9 7
med Services1810714
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs15963
dget 16 10 6 4
mmerce, Science, and Transportation181174
iki/CRS-RL34752ergy and Natural Resources181174
g/wronment and Public Works15963
s.orna nc e 1 8 1 0 7 1 4
leak
reign Relations161064
://wikivernmental Affairs171073
httpman Resources15963
diciary 1 7 1 1 6 5
les and Administration9633
terans’ Affairs9633
ommittee on Indian Affairs5321
mmittee on Nutrition and Human Needs8532
ommittee on Small Business9633
ommittee on Ethics6330
mmittee on Intelligence191091
Congressional Directory, 95th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1977).
Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., an Independent, caucused with majority.



CRS-23
Table 18. Senate Committee Party Ratios: 94th Congress (1975-1977)
Distribution of SeatsMajority-Minority
TotalCaucus Seat MarginMajority (D)Minority (R)Consrv-RepIndp
nate Party Strength10060381122
tal Committee Seats30218111623 66
C o mmi t t e e s
ronautical and Space Sciences10642
riculture and Forestry14954
atio ns 26 16 10 6
med Services169614
nking, Housing, and Urban Affairs13853
dget 16 10 5 1 4
iki/CRS-RL34752mme r c e 1 9 1 2 6 1 5
g/wict of Columbia7431
s.orna nc e 1 8 1 0 7 1 4
leak
reign Relations171073
://wikivernmental Operations14954
httpterior and Insular Affairs14954
diciary 1 5 9 6 3
bor and Public Welfare15963
st Office and Civil Service954
blic Works149416
les and Administration8532
terans’ Affairs9541
mmittee on Nutrition and Human Needs14862
ommittee on Small Business171073
ommittee on Standards and Conduct6330
ommittee To Study Governmental11651
erations With Respect to Intelligence Activities
Congressional Directory, 94th Congress, 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1975).
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
servative-Republican, caucused with the minority.