91st United States Congress

91st United States Congress
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Congress	91st
Session year	1969
Session num	1st
Start	January 3, 1969
End	January 3, 1971
President	Richard Nixon
Vice-president	Spiro Agnew
House-speaker	John William McCormack
House-majority	Democratic
Senate-president	Spiro Agnew
Senate-presidentpro	Richard Russell Jr.
Senate-majority	Democratic

91st United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1971, during the first two years of Richard Nixon's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1960 United States Census and the membership of the Supreme Court of the United States included Earl Warren, Hugo Black, William O. Douglas, Tom C. Clark, John Marshall Harlan, Potter Stewart, Byron White, and Thurgood Marshall. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was led by J. Edgar Hoover and the Central Intelligence Agency was directed by Richard Helms.

● Major Events

The 91st Congress saw several significant events, including the Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon. The Woodstock Music & Art Fair took place in New York and the My Lai Massacre was investigated by the United States Army. The Students for a Democratic Society and the Weather Underground were active during this period, and the Chicago Seven trial began. The National Guard was involved in the Kent State shootings and the Jackson State killings. The Soviet Union launched the Luna 17 spacecraft, and the United States conducted the Operation Menu bombing campaign in Cambodia. The Nixon Doctrine was introduced, and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks began with the Soviet Union. The United Nations played a key role in international diplomacy, with U Thant serving as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

● Party Summary

The party summary of the 91st Congress was as follows: the Democratic Party held a majority in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, with Mike Mansfield serving as Senate Majority Leader and John William McCormack as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. The Republican Party was the minority party, with Everett Dirksen as Senate Minority Leader and Gerald Ford as House Minority Leader. Other parties represented in Congress included the Conservative Party of New York State and the American Independent Party. The Liberal Party of New York and the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee also played a role in the political landscape. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union were active in promoting civil rights.

● Major Legislation

The 91st Congress passed several significant pieces of legislation, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1966. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 and the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970 were also enacted. The Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act were passed, as well as the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970. The Organized Crime Control Act and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act were signed into law, and the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 was enacted. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 were amended, and the National Science Foundation was reauthorized.

● Leadership

The leadership of the 91st Congress included Mike Mansfield as Senate Majority Leader, Hugh Scott as Senate Minority Leader, John William McCormack as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and Gerald Ford as House Minority Leader. The Senate Majority Whip was Edward M. Kennedy, and the Senate Minority Whip was Robert P. Griffin. The House Majority Whip was Hale Boggs, and the House Minority Whip was Leslie C. Arends. The Democratic National Committee was chaired by Lawrence O'Brien, and the Republican National Committee was chaired by Rogers Morton. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations was led by George Meany, and the United States Chamber of Commerce was led by Arch N. Booth.

● Membership

The membership of the 91st Congress included several notable individuals, such as Ted Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Nelson Rockefeller, and Ronald Reagan. Other members included Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Patsy Mink. The Congressional Black Caucus was established during this Congress, with members including Charles Rangel, John Conyers, and Louis Stokes. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus was also active, with members including Henry B. González and Edward Roybal. The American Bar Association and the National Association of Social Workers played a role in shaping policy.

● Elections

The elections of 1968 and 1970 had a significant impact on the membership of the 91st Congress. The 1968 United States presidential election saw Richard Nixon defeat Hubert Humphrey, and the 1970 United States Senate elections saw the Democratic Party gain several seats. The 1970 United States House of Representatives elections saw the Democratic Party maintain its majority, but the Republican Party gained several seats. The New York State Democratic Committee and the California Republican Party played a key role in the elections. The League of Women Voters and the National Association of Secretaries of State also participated in the electoral process. Category:United States Congress