This directory serves as a comprehensive visual and alphabetical reference for the United States Congress in 1997. It provides detailed listings and photographic records of key political figures and legislative bodies. The book aims to offer a complete overview of the members and officials serving in both the Senate and the House of Representatives during that specific congressional term.

The Congressional Pictorial Directory is a factual reference work, and its value lies in its comprehensive and organized presentation of information. As a directory from a specific year, its reception is tied to its utility for researchers, historians, and those needing to identify or recall members of Congress from that period. The inclusion of photographs alongside names and affiliations makes it a practical tool for understanding the composition of the 1997 Congress.