What to know about the oldest members of Congress

Axios

21-05-2025

Three elder House members died in office this year, during the 119th Congress — most recently Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who died Wednesday morning at 75 years old after battling esophageal cancer.
The big picture: The health of the country's oldest lawmakers regularly reignites concern over America's aging leaders and their fitness to serve.
Driving the news: Connolly is the third House Democrat to die since March, following Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) at 70 years old and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) at 77 years old.
The 119th Congress is the third oldest since 1789, according to a January NBC News analysis.
The House and Senate were both the third oldest in each chamber's history, as of January.
By the numbers: At that point, the average age of the Senate was 63.8 years, and the average age of the House was 57.7 years.
Between both chambers, 20 members were 80 or older, per NBC.
State of play: America's political gerontocracy has been a focus across government branches in recent years, with voters worried about lawmakers' fitness for office.
The country's two most recent presidents — former President Biden and President Trump — are the oldest in U.S. history.
Meanwhile, Americans have indicated that they'd support age limits for Supreme Court justices and elected officials.
Who are the oldest House members?
What we're watching: Many of the oldest House Democrats are running for reelection in 2026, sparking internal party tensions.
The 10 oldest U.S. representatives are:
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.): 87 years old
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.): 86 years old
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.): 85 years old
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: (D-Calif.) 85 years old
Pelosi in 2022 was among top House Democrats who stepped aside from leadership to make room for a new generation of leaders.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.): 84 years old
Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.): 83 years old
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas): 83 years old
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.): 82 years old
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.): 82 years old
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.): 81 years old
Who are the oldest Senators?
Between the lines: The Senate reversed its aging trend with the 119th Congress after the death or retirement of some of its oldest members, according to Pew Research.
The 10 oldest U.S. senators are:
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa): 91 years old
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.): 83 years old
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.): 83 years old
McConnell said in February that he won't seek re-election in 2026.
The longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history, he stepped down from leadership in 2024.
Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho): 82 years old
Sen. Angus King (I-Me.): 81 years old
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.): 80 years old
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.): 79 years old
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.): 78 years old
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii): 77 years old