Which party controls Congress? Which, the White House? Only five times (10 years) since 1950 have the House and Senate been controlled by different parties. Only 10 times (20 years) have Congress and the Presidency been controlled by the same party. And there have been only two complete turn-overs of Congress since 1950.

Americans seem to prefer that the checks-and-balances envisioned by the founders be facilitated by having different parties control Congress and the White House.

Updated 13 November 2006

Yellow years mark Presidential inauguration.

Sources: Senate, House, Janda

* There were 50 Ds and 50 Rs until May 24, 2001, when Sen. James Jeffords (R-VT) switched to Independent status, effective June 6, 2001; he announced that he would caucus with the Democrats, giving the Democrats a one-seat advantage.

** Independent Sen. Bernard Sanders (VT) gives the Democrats a one-seat majority.