Both chambers had a Democratic majority (including increasing their edge in the House). With the reelection of PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt to a record fourth term, the Democrats maintained an overall federal government trifecta.[1]
Senators are popularly elected statewide every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress. Preceding the names in the list below are Senate class numbers, which indicate the cycle of their election, In this Congress, Class 1 meant their term ended with this Congress, facing re-election in 1946; Class 2 meant their term began in the last Congress, facing re-election in 1948; and Class 3 meant their term began in this Congress, facing re-election in 1950.
Senators' party membership by state at the opening of the 79th Congress in January 1945. The green stripes denote Senator Robert M. La Follette Jr. of the Progressive Party.
2 Democrats
1 Democrat and 1 Republican
2 Republicans
House of Representatives
The names of members of the House of Representatives are preceded by their district numbers.
Resigned August 2, 1946, after being appointed United States representative on the United Nations Security Council. Successor was appointed to serve until the next election.
Lists of committees and their party leaders for members of the House and Senate committees can be found through the Official Congressional Directory at the bottom of this article. The directory after the pages of terms of service lists committees of the Senate, House (Standing with Subcommittees, Select and Special) and Joint and, after that, House/Senate committee assignments. On the committees section of the House and Senate in the Official Congressional Directory, the committee's members on the first row on the left side shows the chairman of the committee and on the right side shows the ranking member of the committee.
^U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace's term as President of the Senate ended at noon January 20, 1945, when Harry S. Truman's term began.
^U.S. Vice President Truman's term as President of the Senate ended on April 12, 1945 when he ascended to the presidency. President pro tempore Kenneth McKellar acted his duties as the president of the Senate.
^ ab When seated or oath administered, not necessarily when service began.
