This Congress is one of the oldest yet. Most Americans think that’s a problem, a new CNN poll shows
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Aging Leadership Dominates Capitol Hill as Voters Demand Change
This Congress is one of the oldest legislative bodies in American history, and the trend is only growing. With memorial services ongoing for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away earlier this month at seventy-one years old, public discussion regarding senior politicians has grown considerably. Senator Mitch McConnell, now eighty-four, has been absent from congressional voting since experiencing a fall in June that resulted in hospitalization. His office recently announced he also developed what they described as a mild pneumonia case, following several weeks of uncertainty about his condition.
This Congress is one where the average age of lawmakers continues to climb, creating concerns among voters who want fresh leadership. According to fresh polling conducted by CNN alongside SSRS, most citizens view the growing number of lawmakers past seventy as a significant concern. Additionally, respondents expressed strong support for increased openness regarding politicians’ medical conditions.
Public Opinion Reveals Generational Divide
Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed indicated the current proportion of older representatives represents a substantial issue. This sentiment becomes even more pronounced among younger demographics, with sixty-eight percent of Americans under thirty-five identifying it as a major problem. The average age of both senators and representatives has demonstrated consistent growth over multiple decades.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe elected officials should make public all health information that could influence their capacity to govern effectively.
Conversely, only thirty-five percent feel politicians deserve the same privacy rights as ordinary citizens regarding their medical documentation. This preference transcends political affiliation and has strengthened considerably over recent decades. Earlier CNN research from 2018 revealed nearly equal division concerning presidential medical transparency, while a 2004 survey showed sixty-one percent favored keeping presidential health matters confidential.
Looking Ahead: The November Election
The upcoming midterm elections present voters with an opportunity to evaluate Congress’s demographic composition. Seventy percent of individuals affiliated with either major party stated they would feel uncomfortable or disappointed if their party selected a candidate exceeding seventy years of age. Meanwhile, a separate July survey by Fox News discovered eighty-five percent of registered voters support establishing a compulsory retirement age for legislators, with approximately half preferring that threshold fall below seventy.
Currently, more than one-third of senators have surpassed seventy years. During this November’s elections, twenty sitting senators compete for additional terms. Their ages span from thirty-nine (Georgia’s Jon Ossoff) to eighty-three (Idaho’s Jim Risch). Should every candidate secure re-election, over half would exceed seventy by 2033, marking the conclusion of their subsequent possible term.
Notably, McConnell alongside Democratic colleagues Dick Durbin of Illinois at eighty-one and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire at seventy-nine plan to retire following this year. These three rank among the Senate’s most senior members facing elections this cycle.
Historical Context and Constitutional Requirements
Although the standard retirement age in America centers around sixty-five—the point when most qualify for Medicare—the over-sixty-five demographic maintains strong representation across both political parties. Constitutional mandates require House members to be minimum twenty-five years old and senators at least thirty, naturally producing a legislature older than the broader population.
Census Bureau statistics from 2025 indicate merely nineteen percent of Americans exceed sixty-five years, yet the median senator sits at sixty-six. Consequently, while fewer than one-fifth of citizens surpass that age threshold, roughly half of senators belong to this category. Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, at ninety-two, holds the distinction as the Senate’s eldest member and serves as president pro tempore, placing him third in presidential succession. This position gained attention when Grassley proved to be the highest-ranking government official absent during the May security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the average senator today?
The median senator is currently sixty-six years old, significantly higher than the nineteen percent of Americans who exceed sixty-five according to 2025 Census data.
What percentage of Americans think aging lawmakers are a problem?
Fifty-eight percent of surveyed Americans believe the current proportion of older representatives is a substantial issue, rising to sixty-eight percent among those under thirty-five.
Do most Americans want a retirement age for Congress?
Eighty-five percent of registered voters support establishing a compulsory retirement age for legislators, with approximately half preferring that threshold fall below seventy.
Who are the oldest senators facing re-election this year?
Mitch McConnell (84), Dick Durbin (81), and Jeanne Shaheen (79) are among the most senior senators planning to retire after this year’s elections.
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