Grand Old Legislators: Not Just McConnell And Feinstein, But Is Congress Turning Into A Gerontocracy? 7 Charts Present Real Picture

In the hallowed halls of Congress, where decisions shaping the nation’s future are made, recent incidents have cast a spotlight on an unsettling question: Is the U.S. Congress getting too old to effectively govern? 

The spotlight shines on figures like Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and nonagenarian Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), both of whom have experienced public episodes raising concerns about their fitness for office.

McConnell’s recent reported freezes during speeches and Feinstein’s battles with health issues have ignited discussions about the implications of having an aging political elite in the highest echelons of power. 

As these incidents become more frequent, many are left wondering if term limits are the solution to prevent a creeping gerontocracy from taking root in the American political landscape.

Oldest Group Of Lawmakers In A Century

The 118th Congress, which convened earlier this year, boasts the oldest group of lawmakers in over a hundred years, as per official data. With the average age of a U.S. lawmaker hovering around 59, it ranks as the third-oldest Congress since its inception in 1789, according to one report.

Within Congress, 53% of members belong to older generations – Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation – while 47% represent younger generations – Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X.

A Youthful Tinge In The House, An Aging Senate

Amidst the sea of gray, a semblance of youthful vigor emerges. The U.S. House of Representatives experiences a gentle infusion of younger members, while the Senate’s median age continues to rise, revealed a Pew Research Center analysis. Among the 73 freshman representatives in the House, 31 are in their 40s, 15 are in their 30s, and one turned 26 in January.

The average age of voting House lawmakers has slightly improved to 57.3 years from 57.9 six years ago but still strays far from the early 1980s’ low of 48.8. Meanwhile, the Senate’s average age stands at 63.9, marking a significant increase from 1981’s 52.8.

Individuals taking office as representatives must be a minimum of 25 years old, while senators must be at least 30 years old.

Through The Generational Prism

The House’s freshest faces — 73 individuals elected during the November 2022 midterms — mainly belong to Generation X and Millennials. Among those members, 52 are Millennials. These individuals, aged between 27 and 42 in 2023, represent 12% of current voting House members and are evenly distributed between Republicans and Democrats. Additionally, 168 House members are Gen Xers, between the ages of 43 and 58, in 2023.

Assessing State Lawmakers’ Age

Considering the average age of representatives and senators across states, New Mexico stands out as the state with the youngest lawmakers, averaging around 49.5 years. Meanwhile, Vermont takes the title for the state with the oldest legislators, with an average age of 70.6.

Oldest And Youngest In The Spotlight

Here’s a glimpse at the five oldest individuals currently serving in Congress, encompassing both chambers. It’s worth noting that McConnell doesn’t make the top 12.

And presenting the five youngest lawmakers in the 118th Congress. Of note, Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FLA) stands out as the sole Gen-Z representative in Congress.

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