I thought the Senate was Republican-controlled at that time.
You are correct. Although I checked on the Senate website, and found the list of Presidents Pro Tem, but for some reason thought that Strom Thurman was a Democrat, and thus the Democrats were in control of the Senate in 1996.
So that should be amended to read the RINO Senate. Here's the breakdown for the Clinton years. :
103rd Congress (1993-1995)
Majority Party: Democrat (57 seats)
Minority Party: Republican (43 seats)
Other Parties: 0
Total Seats: 100
Note: Party division changed to 56 Democrats and 44 Republicans after the June 5, 1993 election of Kay B. Hutchison (R-TX).
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104th Congress (1995-1997)
Majority Party: Republican (52 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (48 seats)
Other Parties: 0
Total Seats: 100
Note: Party ratio changed to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats after Richard Shelby of Alabama switched from the Democratic to Republican party on November 9, 1994. It changed again, to 54 Republicans and 46 Democrats, when Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado switched from the Democratic to Republican party on March 3, 1995. When Robert Packwood (R-OR) resigned on October 1, 1995, the Senate divided between 53 Republicans and 46 Democrats with one vacancy. Ron Wyden (D) returned the ratio to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats when he was elected to fill the vacant Oregon seat.
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105th Congress (1997-1999)
Majority Party: Republican (55 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (45 seats)
Other Parties: 0
Total Seats: 100
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106th Congress (1999-2001)
Majority Party: Republican (55 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (45 seats)
Other Parties: 0
Total Seats: 100
Presidents Pro Tem
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102nd Congress (1991-1993)
Robert C. Byrd (WV)
January 3, 1991 - January 4, 1993
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103rd Congress (1993-1995)
Robert C. Byrd (WV)
January 5, 1993 - January 3, 1995
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104th Congress (1995-1997)
Strom Thurmond (SC)
January 4, 1995 - January 6, 1997
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105th Congress (1997-1999)
Strom Thurmond (SC)
January 7, 1997 - January 6, 1999
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106th Congress (1999-2001)
Strom Thurmond (SC)
January 7, 1999-January 3, 2001