What is 104th united states congress?

The 104th United States Congress convened on January 3, 1995, and adjourned on January 3, 1997. It marked a significant shift in American politics as the Republican Party gained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the first time since the 83rd Congress (1953-1955). This Republican takeover was largely attributed to the "Republican Revolution" led by then-House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich.

Key aspects and events during this Congress include:

• Republican Revolution & The Contract with America: The Republican Party, under the leadership of Newt Gingrich, campaigned on a platform called the "Contract with America," promising a series of legislative reforms if they gained a majority in the House.
• Budget Battles and Government Shutdowns: The Congress engaged in intense budget negotiations with the Clinton administration, leading to two "government shutdowns" in late 1995 and early 1996. These shutdowns stemmed from disagreements over spending levels and policy riders attached to appropriations bills.
• Welfare Reform: A major legislative achievement was the passage of the "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act" which significantly reformed the nation's welfare system.
• Line-Item Veto Act of 1996: Congress passed the "Line-Item%20Veto%20Act%20of%201996," granting the President the power to selectively veto individual items in spending bills. However, this act was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
• Telecommunications Act of 1996: The "Telecommunications%20Act%20of%201996" was a landmark piece of legislation that deregulated the telecommunications industry, leading to increased competition and the growth of new technologies.
• Efforts to Balance the Budget: A primary goal of the Republican majority was to balance the federal budget. While a balanced budget was eventually achieved during the Clinton administration, it was a major focus of the 104th Congress.
• Debate on Tax Cuts: Tax cuts were a key component of the Republican agenda, and debates over tax policy were frequent throughout the 104th Congress.
• Increased Partisanship: The 104th Congress was marked by a high degree of partisanship, with frequent clashes between the Republican majority and the Democratic President.