The 116th Congress: A historic milestone of demographic diversity and split power
In short: While often viewed through the lens of partisan friction, the 116th Congress represented a landmark shift in American representation. It became the most demographically diverse body in history, balancing a Democratic House majority against a Republican Senate majority during a period of intense legislative scrutiny.
Convening from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2021, the 116th Congress was defined by a significant shift in the balance of power. The House of Representatives saw the Democratic Party gain a fresh majority after the November 2018 midterms, just as Republicans expanded their Senate lead. This created the first split Congress since 2013–2015 and marked the first time since the 1985–1987 session that the two chambers were controlled by opposing parties.
Beyond the partisan divide, the 116th Congress broke historical records for inclusivity. It was cited as the most demographically diverse Congress in U.S. history, featuring 131 women and 128 non-white members. Despite this diversity, the body remained seasoned; the average age of House members at the start of the term was 57.6 years, while Senators averaged 62.9 years. While the vast majority of members (96%) held college degrees, the body also included a variety of professional backgrounds, including 16 physicians, 5 dentists, and 3 veterinarians.
The term was also characterized by high-profile political maneuvers and investigations. It saw the first impeachment of Donald Trump in December 2019, following a whistleblower's allegations regarding a phone call with the President of Ukraine. The era also featured unique political shifts, such as Justin Amash becoming the first member to represent a party other than the Democrats or Republicans since 1985 by joining the Libertarian Party in May 2020. These events collectively framed a period of significant transition in the American legislative landscape.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Introduction - 116th United States Congress: A Survey of Books Written by Members - Research Guides at Library of Congress
- Also: 116th United States Congress
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