Are American lawmakers getting too old?
Image: Gallup
Age-limit proposals are making the rounds again in Washington, where working well past the traditional retirement age has become the norm for many of America’s top elected officials in the federal government.
Catch up quick: If America’s government attended a dinner, it’d probably be served around 4:30 pm. US lawmakers have been getting steadily grayer for decades, and the trend shows no signs of reversal.
- In the 100th Congress, which ran from 1987 to 1989, the average House member was 51 years old, and the average US senator was 55.
- In today’s 119th Congress, averages stand at 58 years in the House and 65 in the Senate, marking the third-oldest Congress on record (dating back to 1789).
- For context: members of Congress are re-elected ~90% of the time they run, incentivizing incumbents to stay in office.
Some of the oldest lawmakers include Sen. Chuck Grassley (92 years), the chamber’s president pro tempore, along with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (85), Sen. Bernie Sanders (84), and Sen. Mitch McConnell (83).
America’s leaders have also been unusually old this past decade. Both former President Biden and President Trump (in his second term) set new all-time records for age at their presidential inaugurations, at 78+ years.
Some lawmakers want a change
Politicians across the political aisle have voiced support for restricting US lawmakers’ ability to serve past a certain age limit.
- Rahm Emanuel, a longtime Democratic politician exploring a possible 2028 presidential bid, has proposed a mandatory retirement age of 75 for top lawmakers and judges, arguing that age limits could help “force a reset” in Washington and make reforms easier to implement.
- Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley previously backed term limits and mental competency tests for politicians over 75, saying voters shouldn’t have to guess about whether a candidate is fit for office.
On the flip side: Some lawmakers argue that governing is inherently complex, and that lawmakers require institutional knowledge and experience built over decades to become truly effective at their jobs.
Others warn that a hard age cutoff could force out capable leaders while failing to address what they see as the real problem: ensuring accountability and transparency for all officials, regardless of age.
Bottom line: The Constitution specifies a minimum age requirement of 25 for the House, 30 for the Senate, and 35 for presidents, but doesn’t address a maximum age limit.
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See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that an age limit of 80 years for US politicians and judges seems reasonable, and would help America avoid the recent examples of very elderly lawmakers who clearly experienced age-related declines in mental capacity while in office.
- Others contend that America should impose competency tests for senior lawmakers, since voters are unable to distinguish which ones aren’t fit to serve due to carefully constructed PR campaigns and public events.
- “Out with the old: Why we need a mandatory retirement age for politicians” –Eric Kingsbury, San Francisco Standard
- “How old is too old?” –Morton Marcus, Fort Wayne Business Weekly
- “D.C. is about to get some needed generational change” –Washington Post Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the blunt instrument of a mandatory retirement age is unnecessary for Congress, since age in and of itself has little to do with ability to perform a demanding job, and America will have to depend on more seniors to work as demographics keep getting grayer.
- Others contend that while it’s fine for older Americans to serve in public office, especially following a successful career outside of government, it is problematic that Congress’ average age is now so high, and that so many members have never had a life outside of politics.
- “No need for a mandatory retirement age in Washington. The voters can do what’s needed.” –Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
- “Pelosi’s 40-year career is a perfect example of our system’s dysfunction” –NY Post Editorial Board
- “Why Democrats are addicted to seniority” –Washington Examiner Editorial Board
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