This is a complete list of members of the United States Senate during the 96th United States Congress listed by seniority, from January 3, 1979, to January 3, 1981. Order of service is based on the commencement of the senator's first term. Behind this is former service as a senator (only giving the senator seniority within his or her new incoming class), service as vice president, a House member, a cabinet secretary, or a governor of a state. The final factor is the population of the senator's state.