86th Congress (1959 - 1961)

House of Representatives

House Majority: Democrat

House Majority Seats: 282 out of 435

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

Senate

Senate Majority: Democrat

Senate Majority Seats: 65 out of 100

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

Executive

President: Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-KS)

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

Member Spotlight

Featured: Rep. Wayne Hays (D-OH) was a dominant and sometimes controversial figure in mid-20th century congressional politics. Serving from 1949 to 1976, he became known for his mastery of House procedure and his tight control over administrative and political operations. As chairman of the House Administration Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Hays exercised immense behind-the-scenes influence over both the institution and his party. Though respected for his organizational skill and legislative effectiveness, his career ultimately ended in scandal, bringing a close to one of the more colorful tenures in modern congressional history.

Enactments

• Hawaii Admitted to the Union
• Executive Branch Appropriations Act of 1959
• Agriculture Appropriations Act of 1959
• Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1959
• Veterans' Pension Act of 1959
• Landrum-Griffin Act
• Agricultural Trade and Development Assistance Extension Act
• Housing Act of 1959
• Federal Employees Health Benefits Act
• Mutual Security Appropriations Act of 1959
• Civil Rights Act of 1960
• Mutual Security Act Amendments
• Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960
• Agriculture Appropriations Act of 1960
• International Development Associations Act
• Stella Missouri Property Army Lease Act
• Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1960
• Social Security Amendments
• Area Redevelopment Act of 1960
• Twenty-Third Amendment