The 115th Congress is among the oldest in History

Quorom ^

[EBH]

Today the average American is 20 years younger than their representative in Congress. This should come as no surprise, considering that over the past 30 years the average age of a Member of Congress has increased with almost every new Congress. In 1981, the average age of a Representative was 49 and the average of a Senator was 53. Today, the average age of a Representative is 57 and the average of a Senator is 61. This prompted us to take a further look at those graying averages.

Democratic leaders in the House are two decades older than Republican leaders.

The average age of the Democratic House leadership is 72 years old, whereas the average age of Republican House leadership is 48 years old. This trend continues in House committee leadership with Republican chairmen averaging 59 years old and ranking Democrats averaging 68 years old.

1/3 of Representatives over 60 represent districts with a median age of 35 or less. There are 44 congressional districts in which the age of the Representative is more than double the median age of their constituents. Of these 44 Representatives, 38 won their last election by more than 60% of the vote. The following Representatives are particular outliers of this analysis.

[EBH]

The post about Biden's cognitive decline sent me looking for age considerations and fitness for office. This is from the 115th Congress so one cycle behind, but likely not much has changed. The charts are astounding and it is profound to consider the stark differences in age.

As we have watched the wonky antics of Pelosi acting like a child with a temper tantrum to now the Democrat Party running Joe Biden who appears to be in some sort of mental decline and in 2016 Hillary who obviously didn't have the physical stamina for the office, one has to wonder if anything should be done?

I know I am treading in the dangerous territory of ageism, but when there is clear signs of mental decline...?

[dp0622]

If you were talking about a law firm or investment Bank yeah it would be wrong to say and do. But these 535 morons make decisions that affect all of our lives. and no one will tell them they are too old and they have to go. If you mentally decline at a job because of age they are going to let you go.

But being a congressman isnt a job

[TalBlack]

Yes, the ones who came up with “Don’t trust anyone over thirty” are hanging on for dear life.

[OttawaFreeper]

I had a cousin who (born in 1935) passed away at age 80 in December 2015 from dementia and related issues. And I find it in that small way difficult to believe that there are three (including DiFi) that are older than my late cousin and are still serving in the Senate.

[MattMusson]

It could be the CoronaVirus is about to take care of the age problem in Congress.

Congressmen meet so many people and shake so many hands, how can they avoid it?

[Paladin2]

"But being a congressman isnt a job"

TRUTH!

[wildcard_redneck]

“one has to wonder if anything should be done?”

The coronavirus will take care of that, it hits the oldest hardest.