85th Congress (1957 - 1959)

House of Representatives

House Majority: Democrat

House Majority Seats: 232 out of 435

House Speaker: Rep. Sam Rayburn (D-TX)

Senate

Senate Majority: Democrat

Senate Majority Seats: 49 out of 96

Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX)

Executive

President: Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-KS)

Vice President: Richard M. Nixon (R-CA)

portrait

Member Spotlight

Featured: Rep. Emanuel Celler (D-NY) was one of the most influential legislators of the 20th century, serving in the House of Representatives from 1923 to 1973. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Celler played a central role in shaping landmark legislation on civil rights, immigration, and the judiciary itself. A steadfast advocate for equality and fairness, he was instrumental in advancing the Civil Rights Acts of the 1950s and 1960s and co-authored the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished restrictive national origins quotas. Celler’s half-century in Congress reflected his deep belief in justice, democratic reform, and the moral responsibility of government.

Enactments