56th United States Congress

The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1890 United States census.

The count below identifies party affiliations at the beginning of the first session of this Congress, and includes members from vacancies and newly admitted states, when they were first seated.

At this time, Senators were elected by the state legislatures 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.

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.

Senate membership (final)
26 Democrats
5 Populists
(1 Vacant)
Senators' party membership by state at the opening of the 56th Congress in March 1899. The green stripes represent Populists , while the gray stripes represent Silver Republicans . One of Delaware's seats was never filled.
2 Democrats
1 Democrat and 1 Republican
2 Republicans
House seats by party holding plurality in state
80+% to 100% Democratic
80+% to 100% Republican
60+% to 80% Democratic
60+% to 80% Republican
Up to 60% Democratic
Up to 60% Republican