90th United States Congress

90th United States Congress convened in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1969, during the final two years of Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency. Dominated by the Democratic Party, it nevertheless saw significant Republican gains in the 1966 midterm elections, which curtailed the scope of Johnson's Great Society agenda. This Congress was heavily occupied with the escalating Vietnam War, domestic unrest, and landmark civil rights legislation.

Major legislation

The legislative output included several significant acts, most notably the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, which prohibited discrimination in housing. Other key laws were the Political Broadcasting Act of 1968, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Gun Control Act of 1968. Congress also passed the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968 to impose a tax surcharge aimed at curbing inflation and funding the war. Important conservation measures included the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Trails System Act.

Party summary

In the United States Senate, the Democratic majority narrowed slightly, holding 64 seats to the Republican Party's 36. The United States House of Representatives saw a more dramatic shift; Democrats retained control but their majority was reduced to 248 seats, while Republicans gained 47 seats to hold 187, reflecting a national backlash against the Johnson Administration. This shift created a more conservative coalition, often aligning Southern Democrats with Republicans to stall progressive legislation.

Leadership

**Senate leadership:** The President pro tempore was longtime Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona. The Majority Leader was Mike Mansfield of Montana, and the Minority Leader was Everett Dirksen of Illinois. **House leadership:** The Speaker was John William McCormack of Massachusetts. The Majority Leader was Carl Albert of Oklahoma, and the Minority Leader was Gerald Ford of Michigan.

Members

The Senate included notable figures such as Robert F. Kennedy of New York, Edward Brooke of Massachusetts (the first popularly elected African-American senator), and freshmen like Walter Mondale of Minnesota. The House featured influential members including future President George H. W. Bush of Texas, Shirley Chisholm of New York (who would become the first African-American woman elected to Congress in the next session), and John Conyers of Michigan. The delegation from the Territory of Alaska included Senator Bob Bartlett.

Key events

The period was marked by profound national turmoil. The Vietnam War intensified, leading to the Tet Offensive in January 1968 and growing anti-war sentiment, exemplified by protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The nation was shaken by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, triggering the King assassination riots, and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June. Congress convened the Kerner Commission to investigate civil unrest. It also faced debates over the Poor People's Campaign and confirmed Abe Fortas as Chief Justice, a nomination that was later withdrawn.

Category:90th United States Congress Category:1967 in American politics Category:1968 in American politics