The Thirty-Fifth Congress of the United States convened from December 5, 1857, to March 4, 1859. It was marked by significant tensions over issues such as slavery and states' rights, reflecting the growing divide between the North and South. This Congress included the House of Representatives and the Senate, with notable figures like Stephen A. Douglas and Jefferson Davis playing key roles. During this period, the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision was delivered by the Supreme Court, further inflaming sectional conflicts. The Congress also dealt with various legislation, including debates over the admission of new states and the expansion of territories, which were critical issues leading up to the American Civil War.