Congressional Statistics Show Trends, Departures

Facts on Elected Representatives and Senators

Feb 14, 2009

The 111th Congress took their seats in January. An exploration of statistical data among the House and Senate reveals a great deal about the American political system.

It is undeniable that the presidential race garnered most media attention in November, but the latest make-up of Congress illustrates some telling trends in society and the state of US politics.

The Congressional Research Service compiled a report that details the composition of the current legislature. Titled "Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile," it was released by CRS on 31 December 2008, just before the new session convened.

According to the report's summary, it "presents a profile of the membership of the 111th Congress. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of members, including data on party affiliation, average age and length of service, occupation, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service."

Trends in Congressional Members' Profiles

There are some fair statements one can make about Senators and Representatives. Of course, there are no absolutes but a few trends are clearly entrenched.

Departures from Past Sessions and New Records

The social progress of America that is lately often discussed in media is also evident when looking at the numbers of the 111th Congress. 2009 boasts a record for the highest number of women serving in Congress. This record stands currently at 95 women who began the new year as legislators (78 in the House and 17 in the Senate).

There are also a record number of 31 Hispanics in the 111th Congress. Also, a record 11 Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islanders are seated this year.

It's no surprise that the typical range of professional careers are claimed by members of the 111th Congress, but interestingly, the report details that this session also has "a driving instructor, a cosmetic sales woman, a mountain guide, and a ski instructor."

Incumbency Rates and the Near Certainty of Re-election

A major complaint of pundits is the rate at which sitting senators and representatives re-claim their position when up for re-election. In a November 2008 post on the Washington Times blog "Chicago Blue State," blogger Paul M. Banks details the research of Stanford law professor Lawrence Lessig, who is bringing awareness to inflated retention rates in Congress and its connection to campaign contributions. Lessig argues, essentially, that Senators and representatives focus most of their efforts on campaigning and not governing. "The low public approval ratings yet near-perfect retention rates of incumbent senators and representatives reaffirm [Lessig's] argument," writes Banks.

Senators are eligible to be re-elected every six years, as mandated by the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution (previously they were appointed by their respective State's legislature). Representatives are up for re-election every two years, per interpretation of Article I of the Constitution, presumably to keep the wishes of their constituents in mind as they were never more than 24 months from a possible ousting.

So there is some merit to the idea of their frequent campaigning as a part of their duty, but critics like Lessig argue that monetary donations have replaced issues as the focus of effort. "Special interests pump millions of dollars into congressional campaigns each cycle, and as a result, they block real change on issue after issue," according to the "Change Congress" website, on which Lessig's movement is featured. They argue that smaller donations from individuals would better serve the public in lieu of massive corporate and special interest contributions.

The implication of these large dollar campaigns is increased incumbency. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the ages of the legislative officials. According to the CRS report, the average age within the 111th Congress "is among the highest of any Congress in recent U.S. history."

The new batch of senators are approximately a year-and-a-half older than last year's session and three years older than those of 2007. That's basically keeping with the same people getting re-elected and of course, aging. New members of the House are about a year older than Representatives of the 110th Congress (55.9 years), and around two years older than the 109th Congress (55.1 years).

Resources and Data

Further information on Professor Lessig's movement can be viewed at change-congress.org.

The copyright of the article Congressional Statistics Show Trends, Departures in American Affairs is owned by Paul Bertolone. Permission to republish Congressional Statistics Show Trends, Departures in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.