115th Congress

The following information from Ballotpedia

115th United States Congress

1. The 115th United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
   1. New members were elected on November 8, 2016. The 115th Congress convened on January 3, 2017, and will conclude on January 3, 2019.
   2. Confirmation process
      1. See also: Confirmation process overview for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees
   3. The 115th Congress was tasked with confirming President Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees. Before a presidential Cabinet nominee can be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he or she must pass several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee may also testify.^[1] Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation.^[1]
   4. Leadership
   5. Senate

1. U.S. House
2. Congressional committees (House)

1. Joint committees
2. Congressional committees (Joint)

1. Analysis
2. Salary
3. As of 2017, members of Congress are paid $174,000 per year. Senate majority and minority leaders, as well as the president pro tempore, receive $193,400. The Speaker of the House receives $223,500.^[2]
4. Some historical facts about the salary of United States Congress members:
• In 1789, members of the Congress received $6 per diem^[2]
• In 1874, members of the Congress earned $5,000 per year^[2]
• In 1990, members of the Congress earned $98,400 per year^[2]
• From 2000-2006, the salary of a member of the United States Congress increased every year, going from $141,300-$165,200 in that time span.^[2]
1. Demographics
2. The 115th Congress surpassed the 114th Congress as the most diverse Congress in the nation's history.
3. There are three African American, four Hispanic, and three Asian senators. There are also 21 women and one openly LGBTQ member of the Senate. Overall, 26 percent of the Senate is made up of women or minorities, and the remaining 74 percent is white men. There are 94 racial or ethnic minorities in the House and 83 women, as well as six openly LGBTQ members. Overall, 34 percent of the House is made up of women or minorities, and the remaining 66 percent is white men.^[3]
4. Over 90 percent of Congress identify as Christians, while roughly six percent of members are Jewish. There are also three Buddhists, three Hindus, two Muslims, and one Unitarian Universalist. Only one member of Congress, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9), describes herself as unaffiliated with any religion.^[4]
5. See also
• United States Congress elections, 2016
• United States Senate elections, 2016
• United States House of Representatives elections, 2016
• 114th United States Congress
• United States Congress
• United States Senate
• United States House of Representatives
1. Footnotes
1. CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Process: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
2. U.S. Senate, "Salaries," accessed May 29, 2012
3. Daily KOS, "Check out our comprehensive 115th Congress guide, with election data, demographics, and member stats," January 3, 2017
4. U.S. News, "The 115th Congress by Party, Race, Gender and Religion," January 5, 2017