36th United States Congress

The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1850 United States census.

The Senate had a Democratic majority, and the House had a Republican plurality.

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 names of members of the House of Representatives are preceded by their district numbers.

President of the Senate
John C. Breckinridge
Senators' party membership by state at the opening of the 36th Congress in March 1859. The green stripes represent Know-Nothings .
2 Democrats
1 Democrat and 1 Republican
2 Republicans
President pro tempore
Benjamin Fitzpatrick ,
until February 26, 1860
June 26, 1860 – December 2, 1860
President pro tempore
Jesse D. Bright ,
June 12, 1860 – June 13, 1860
President pro tempore
Solomon Foot ,
from February 16, 1861
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
Speaker of the House
William Pennington
Group photo of the U.S. House of Representatives, in 1860, during this Congress.