*Party division totals are based on election day results.
Republicans retained the Senate and White House, and Democrats maintained their House majority despite Republican gains there in the 1984 election. Concentrating on the growing deficit, the 99th Congress (1985–1987) overhauled the tax code and passed Gramm—Rudman—Hollings, which would produce automatic across-the-board spending cuts if Congress failed to agree on deficit reduction. Congress also passed limited funding for the MX missile system and aid for the Nicaraguan contras.
Learn more about the People of the People's House
To view complete lists of individuals who have served in these leadership and official positions since the 1st Congress, visit the People section