99th Congress (1985 - 1987)
House of Representatives
House Majority: Democrat
House Majority Seats: 254 out of 435
House Speaker: Rep. Thomas P. 'Tip' O'Neill (D-MA)
Senate
Senate Majority: Republican
Senate Majority Seats: 53 out of 100
Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Robert Dole (R-KS)
Executive
President: Ronald Reagan (R-CA)
Vice President: George H.W. Bush (R-TX)
Member Spotlight
Featured: Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) was a prominent and outspoken leader in the U.S. Senate, known for his candor and commitment to bipartisan problem-solving. Serving from 1979 to 1997, he focused on budgetary issues, social security reform, and government accountability, earning a reputation as a pragmatic fiscal conservative. Simpson was celebrated for his ability to work across party lines, most notably co-chairing the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform in 2010 to address the federal budget deficit. His blend of humor, intellect, and principled leadership made him a respected figure in both Congress and the broader political arena.
Enactments
- African Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985
- Supplemental Africa Relief Appropriations
- MX Missile Authorization
- International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1985
- Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1985
- Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987
- First Continuing Appropriations Act, 1985
- Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1986
- Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986
- Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1986
- Second Continuing Appropriations Act, 1985
- Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act, 1986
- Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1986
- Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
- Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1986
- Third Continuing Appropriations Act, 1985
- Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1986
- Nuclear Cooperation Between the United States and China
- Fourth Continuing Appropriations Act, 1985
- Omnibus Continuing Appropriations Act FY 1985
- Food Security Act of 1985
- First Supplemental Agriculture Appropriations Act FY 1986
- Second Supplemental Agriculture Appropriations Act FY 1986
- Private Health Insurance Continuation Coverage under COBRA
- Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986
- Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986
- Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986
- Military Retirement Reform Act of 1986
- Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1986
- Daylight Saving Extension Act of 1985
- Firearms' Owners Protection Act
- Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act of 1986
- Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
- Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization of 1986
- First Continuing Appropriations Act, 1986
- Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986
- Second Continuing Appropriations Act, 1986
- Third Continuing Appropriations Act, 1986
- Fourth Continuing Appropriations Act, 1986
- Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
- Electronic Communications Privacy Act
- Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
- Tax Reform Act of 1986
- Intelligence Authorization, Fiscal 1987
- Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986
- Continuing Appropriations, Fiscal 1987
- Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986
- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
- Department of Defense Authorization, Fiscal 1987
- Water Resources Development Act of 1986
- Broadcast Coverage of Senate Proceedings
- Indiana 8th District Seat
- Housing Act of 1986
- Textile Import Quotas
- Labor-Management Notification and Consultation Act of 1985
- Pesticide Control Reauthorization
- Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1986
- First Budget Resolution, Fiscal 1986
- Line-Item Veto
- School Prayer
- Product Liability Reform Act
- Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment
- Aid to Nicaraguan Rebels
- Saudi Arms Sale
- Budget Resolution, Fiscal 1987