What percent of U.S. congress members are over 60 years old?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
In 1800 approximately what percent of congress was 60+ years old?
By 2023 approximately what percent of congress was 60+ years old?
Describe changes in the average age of congress over time.
In 1800 the average American life expectancy was less than 40, in 1900 it was around 49, by 2023 it had hit 77 years. Life expectancy has increased rapidly in the United States over the past 200+ years. Explain how this increase has impacted the visual above?
Besides the increasing life expectancy of Americans, what do you think has impacted the changing age structure of Congress?
Why do you think the percent of congress that was 20-49 in 1800 was so high?
Explain how the fact that half of Congress is over 60 years old impacts the policy it makes.
Ex-President Carter is 99 years old (and now owner of the longest lifespan of any president). The last two presidents took office as septuagenarians (70+ year olds). How does the age of presidents when they took office (see chart below)* compares to the age of congress.
Some people would say that today’s congress is more experienced and wiser than ever. How would you respond to that claim?
I think the visual above would be more accurate if it just listed members of Congress from age 25-49. Explain why there is no section on the graph above for members of congress less than 25 years old?
Learning Extension
Visual Extension*
Action Extension
Contact your congressional representatives and ask them how old they are and how they think it impacts their ability to legislate. Share their answer with your classmates.