New analysis of senators and representatives sworn in at the beginning of 2025 shows a generational shift in the 119th Congress as Generation X members now outnumber Baby Boomers, resulting in a younger composition compared to previous sessions.  

The shift reflects natural transitions, like retirements and the passing of longtime lawmakers. Just two Congresses ago, Boomers—born between 1946 and 1964—held the majority of both Senate and House seats, according to Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank. As younger generations enter the political arena, the makeup of Congress is changing as policy priorities differ from prior generations.

WeVote explores these generational trends below. We delve into some of the differences between American lawmakers in the Republican and Democratic parties. (The Pew Research Center analysis examines the ages of members sworn in on January 3, 2025. It does not include West Virginia Senator Jim Justice, who was sworn in on Jan. 14).

119th Congress: By the Numbers

Members of the 119th Congress bring to the table different attitudes and political perspectives, spanning four living generations. 

On the first day of the 119th Congress, Gen X members—those born between 1965 and 1980—accounted for 180 members, or 41 percent of the House of Representatives. Generation X is often viewed as the first generation to experience significant societal and economic changes. These include the rise of technology, growth of the internet, and shifts in family dynamics. Their policy priorities—everything from retirement security and student debt to healthcare and climate—reflect these experiences and concerns.

In addition to Gen X, Boomers made up 39 percent of House members. Millennials (1981-1996) represented 15 percent, while 4 percent belong to the Silent Generation (1928-1945). Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost is the first member of Generation Z, or those born after 1996, elected to the House. 

Across all age groups, the median age of voting House members is 57.5 years, down from 57.9 at the start of the 118th Congress. In addition, many of the 119th’s first-time members are below the median age of 57.5. 

In the Senate, the median age has slightly decreased to 64.7 years, down from 65.3 at the start of the prior Congress. This reverses a steady rise in median age across several Congresses, from the 115th Congress in 2017 to the 118th, which just ended January 3. 

Senate Boomers hold a majority, occupying 60 out of 99 seats. There are 28 Gen Xers, six Silent Generation members, and five Millennials. Since the minimum age to be a senator is 30, Gen Zers are not eligible to serve in that chamber. 

Generational Shifts in Congress

A reduction in the number of congressional members from the Baby Boomer and Silent generations, many of whom grew up during U.S. military engagements in Korea and Vietnam, has coincided with a long-term decline in the number of legislators who are veterans, according to Pew.

Veterans who serve in the House and Senate play a crucial role in shaping policy on military operations. They also influence veterans’ benefits. But, the number of veterans in Congress has steadily declined since the mid-1970s. This decline is due in part to the transition to an all-volunteer military force, which replaced the draft, according to the Military Times. 

Among other trends, Pew highlighted how the rise of younger generations of lawmakers has contributed to increased racial and ethnic diversity in Congress. 

About one quarter of senators and representatives identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian American, or Native American. This makes the 119th Congress the most racially and ethnically diverse to date, Pew found. Notably, this marks the eighth consecutive Congress to break the record set by the one before it. 

Political Icons Retire, Pass Away

Some lawmakers have retired or passed away after serving in Congress for decades. Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer, who represented the state’s 3rd Congressional District for thirty years, announced his retirement last year. 

New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, 87, a Democrat, died in August. He became the 11th congressional member to die in office since 2020. 

California’s Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away at 90 in 2023. She represented the Golden State for more than 30 years. Feinstein’s health contributed to heightened attention surrounding the age and fitness of the legislature.

Congress’ New Faces and Perspectives

About half of the first-time members in the new class of lawmakers are in their 30s and 40s, Pew found. Their representation brings awareness to pressing issues like housing affordability and childcare that affect younger voters.

Sara Jacobs, a 35-year-old Democratic representative for California’s 51st district, called for a shift in policy to address these concerns. In a January 25 Op-Ed in Teen Vogue, she urged Congress to listen to younger generations and rebuild systems that aren’t working for them.  

“The problem isn’t that there are Baby Boomers or Gen X’ers in Congress; we need their experience and institutional knowledge,” Jacobs wrote. “But it’s also necessary to listen more to the young people of this country who are begging for their top concerns to finally be respected and addressed.”

Party Breakdown: How Each Generation is Represented in Congress

Pew Research highlights notable party differences within this generational shift in Congress:

• In the House, Republicans outnumber Democrats among Gen Xers (94 to 86) and Boomers (89 to 81). However, Democrats lead among the Silent Generation (13 to 4), while Millennials are nearly split (34 Democrats, 32 Republicans).

• In the Senate, Republicans outnumber Democrats among Boomers (31 to 29) and Xers (15 to 13). Three millennial senators are Republicans, and two are Democrats. The six senators from the Silent Generation are evenly split between the two parties.

Conclusion: Why Congress’ Generational Shift Matters to Voters

Understanding congressional representatives can empower you to take an active role in democracy—a right many constituents are exercising now. 

To stay informed, consider following House and Senate meeting calendars to learn about the discussions and decisions shaping U.S. policies.

Additionally, conducting candidate research via sites like WeVote ensures that your concerns align with those of like-minded leaders.

About WeVote: 

WeVote is a 100% volunteer-driven non-profit with a mission to build the next generation of voting tech so voters at a hyper-local level can be informed on the issues they care about, curated by people they trust. By connecting neighbor with neighbor and friend with friend, we help voters cut through the clutter to understand what’s on their ballot. The open platform lets anybody create and share voter guides that aggregate information and opinions across networks so you can help others become better voters too. Vote red, vote blue, vote rainbows. We don’t care. We just want you to vote, and that’s why we’re here.