congress


 * Congress**



//2009 to 2010// 
 * 111th Congress**

The 111th Congress (2009-2010) is a Democratic-controlled body. The Senate contains 58 Democrats (58%), 2 Independents (2%), and 40 Republicans (40%). The House of Representatives contains 256 Democrats (59%) and 178 Republicans (41%). There is one vacancy in the House. Important Democrats in the 111th Congress include Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, James E. Clyburn, Joseph R. Biden, Robert C. Byrd, Harry Reid, and Richard Durbin. Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has been a California Representative since 1987. She became the first woman to become Speaker of the House in 2007. Hoyer is the House majority leader. Since winning his seat at age 27, he has been a Maryland congressman for 21 years. Clyburn, the House majority whip, has been a member of the House since 1993 and has held his position as Democratic whip since he was unanimously elected to it in 2006. Biden, the Vice President and President of the Senate, was elected as a Delaware Senator 36 years ago when he was 29Byrd is the President Pro Tempore. He is the longest serving Senator in history and is currently on his ninth term as a Senator from West Virginia. Reid is the Senate majority leader and has been serving as a Nevada Senator for 24 years. Durbin is the Senate majority whip. He was an Illinois Representative for 14 years and has been a Senator for 13. Important Republicans include John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mitch McConnell, and Jon Kyl. Boehner is the House minority leader and has been an Ohio representative since 1991. Cantor is the House minority whip and has been a Virginia Representative since 2001. McConnel is the Senate minority leader and has been a Kentucky Senator since 1985 Kyl is the Senate minority whip and has been an Arizona Senator for 16 years.

 Feb. 4 2009-Children’s health insurance program- A program administered by the United States to provide matching health care for families with children. The programs purpose is to provide health care for children whose families make modest income, however too high to qualify for Medicaid. Feb. 17th 2009- American recovery and reinvestment act. The purpose of this act is to stimulate the economy, and help combat the economic down turn. The act includes tax cuts, as well as extensions on unemployment benefits and social welfare. March 11th 2009- The omnibus appropriations act. Combines bills funding of each of the cabinet, except for homeland security, defense, and veterans, into a single bill. April 21st 2009- Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. The bill creates five service organizations, veterans, education, healthy futures, clean energies, and opportunity corps. May 20 2009- The Helping families save their homes act. The purpose of the law is to allow bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages on homes and residences. May 22nd 2009- The Weapon systems acquisition reform act- Passed to reform the way that the pentagon purchases large weapon systems. May 22nd 2009- The credit card act- It is a federal law that aims for credit card reform to practice fair and transparent practices dealing with the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan. June 22nd 2009- Family smoking prevention and tobacco control act- A United States federal law that gives the food and drug administration the power to regulate the tobacco industry. The purpose of the law is to implement new warnings and labeling on tobacco packing that discourages youth from consuming their products.
 * Major legislation-**

==== The 2009-2010 111th congress was filled with many highlights and low points for the United States congress. One of the most memorable being former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell the Illinois senate seat. After soliciting bribes for the open seat, Blagojevich was discharged from his role in and indicted. The Illinois seat has been replaced by Democrat Roland Burris, appointed on December 31 2008. A major highlight of the 111th congressional session another important highlight of the 111th congressional session was the inauguration of current president Barrack Obama and vice president Joe Biden on January 20th 2009. Along with the president’s inauguration, was another important date. The presidents 2nd year in office officially commenced on January. Aside from the inauguration of Barrack Obama and the completion of his first year, there were many attempts by the federal government to stimulate the economy and create jobs. One of the best of these, and highlight of the 111th congressional session was the cash for clunkers program. The program was intended for drivers to bring in fuel guzzling cars and trade them in for more fuel efficient vehicles. Although not all of these major events that took place over the course of the 111th congress, they were all important highlights and pitfalls that occurred during the 111th congressional session. ====

At the beginning of the 111th Congress, the personality could only be described as hopeful. A supermajority existed in the Senate with a President belonging to the same party. A new Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, was appointed by the new President, which placed a liberal streak in the Court. All three branches of the covernment were relatively, if not definitely, Democratic. They looked to the coming session with hope for a new health care plan, a stimulus package for the failing economy, and the closing of the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention center. With a new President (with worldwide celebrity status) and a new plan, the Congress seemed like it was headed for great things. However, as presidential and congressional approval ratings began to plummet with the outcome of the stimulus package and the health care debate, tension rose between the Congress and the President. This Congress, which is currently still in session, is currently debating new health care legislation. Congress has impacted the recent time period most notably with the stimulus package and new health care legislation. The stimulus package sent billions of dollars to big banks, automobile companies, and other large businesses, but was also used to create new construction jobs, amongst other new endeavors. The stimulus package caused a lot of controversy over whether or not the money was spent wisely. New health care legislation, if it passes, could entirely reshape the insurance industry. Some Americans welcome the new legislation, anticipating lower health care costs and more equality in the system. Others, however, fervently protest the bill, saying it will do nothing except drive up taxes and create long waiting lines and bureaucrat-controlled health care. Home Presidency Congress Supreme Court