108th Congress (2003 - 2005)

House of Representatives

House Majority: Republican

House Majority Seats: 229 out of 435

House Speaker: Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)

Senate

Senate Majority: Republican

Senate Majority Seats: 51 out of 100

Senate Majority Leader: Sen. William H. Frist (R-TN)

Executive

President: George W. Bush (R-TX)

Vice President: Richard 'Dick' Cheney (R-WY)

Member Spotlight

Featured: Sen. William H. Frist (R-TN), the Senate Majority Leader from 2003 to 2007, was a prominent figure in early-21st-century American politics. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1952, Frist was a practicing heart and lung transplant surgeon before entering politics. He made history in 1994 as the first practicing physician elected to the U.S. Senate since 1928. Frist served two terms in the Senate, during which he became known for his bipartisan approach and commitment to healthcare reform. As Majority Leader, he played a pivotal role in passing significant legislation, including the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which introduced prescription drug coverage for seniors, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided life-saving treatment to millions globally. Frist's tenure was marked by efforts to modernize Medicare, reduce taxes, and reform K-12 education. After retiring from the Senate in 2007, he continued to influence healthcare policy through his work with various organizations and initiatives.

Enactments