The 112th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It convened from January 3, 2011, to January 3, 2013, during the first two years of President Barack Obama’s first term.
Composition
- Senate: 100 members; Republicans held a majority with 51 seats, Democrats 47, and two independents caucusing with the Democrats.
- House of Representatives: 435 voting members; Republicans held a majority with 242 seats, Democrats 193.
Leadership
- Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid (Democrat) until January 3, 2011; succeeded by Mitch McConnell (Republican).
- Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell (Republican) until January 3, 2011; succeeded by Harry Reid (Democrat).
- Speaker of the House: John Boehner (Republican).
- House Majority Leader: Eric Cantor (Republican) until August 2014 (note: Cantor’s tenure extended beyond the 112th Congress; during this Congress the role was held by Kevin McCarthy after Cantor’s resignation in 2014, but Cantor was the elected leader at the start).
- House Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (Democrat).
Major Legislative Actions
- Budget Control Act of 2011: Implemented a budget sequestration plan to reduce federal deficits.
- National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012: Authorized defense spending and included provisions related to military personnel and procurement.
- Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012: Extended payroll tax cuts and enacted other tax provisions.
- Veterans’ Backlog Reduction Act of 2012: Addressed delays in veterans’ benefits processing.
- Debt‑Ceiling Legislation: Raised the statutory debt limit multiple times to avoid a U.S. default.
Notable Events
- In August 2011, the congressional budget process resulted in a “fiscal cliff” scenario, prompting emergency negotiations and the passage of the Budget Control Act.
- The Senate confirmed several high‑profile appointments, including the nomination of the first openly gay federal judge, Deborah Rogers.
- The 112th Congress witnessed extensive partisan debate over healthcare reform, although the Affordable Care Act was passed in the preceding 111th Congress.
Committee Structure
Both chambers maintained their standing committees, subcommittees, and select committees, with chairmanships reflecting the party majority in each chamber.
Historical Context
The 112th Congress was the first to convene after the 2010 mid‑term elections, which resulted in significant Republican gains in both chambers, giving the party control of the House for the first time since 2006 and a Senate majority that would later be lost in the 2012 elections.
References
- United States Senate. “Committee Assignments and Leadership, 112th Congress.”
- Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. “Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010.”
- Congressional Research Service. “Legislative Activities of the 112th Congress.”
All information reflects publicly available records and official congressional documentation.
