Membership of the 118th Congress: A Profile (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 4, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R47470 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Jennifer E. Manning |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
This report presents a profile of the membership of the 118th Congress (2023-2024) as of August
23, 2024, or at the beginning of the 118th Congress (January 3, 2023), where noted. Statistical
information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party
affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious
affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign birth, and military service.
In the House of Representatives, there are 220 Republicans (plus 2 Delegates and the Resident
Commissioner of Puerto Rico), 211 Democrats (plus 3 Delegates), and 4 vacant seats. The Senate has 49 Republicans, 46
Democrats, 4 Independents, who all caucus with the Democrats, and 1 vacant seat. Additionally,
• The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 118th Congress was 57.9 years; of
Senators, 64.0 years.
• The overwhelming majority, 96%, of Members of Congress have a college education.
• The dominant professions of Members are public service/politics, business, and law.
• Most Members identify as Christians, and the collective majority of these affiliate with a Protestant
denomination. Roman Catholics account for the largest single religious denomination, and numerous other
affiliations are represented, including Jewish, Latter-day Saints, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Greek and
Russian Orthodox, Pentecostal Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and Adventist.
• The average length of service for Representatives at the beginning of the 118th Congress was 8.5 years (4.3
House terms); for Senators, 11.2 years (1.9 Senate terms).
• One hundred fifty-four women serve in the 118th Congress: 129 in the House, including 3 Delegates and the
Resident Commissioner, and 25 in the Senate.
• There are 59 African American Members of the House and 4 in the Senate. This House number includes 2
Delegates.
• There are 61 Hispanic or Latino Members serving: 56 in the House, including 2 Delegates and the Resident
Commissioner, and 5 in the Senate.
• There are 22 Members (17 Representatives, 3 Delegates, and 2 Senators) who are Asian Americans or
Pacific Islander Americans.
• Five Native Americans (American Indians or Alaska Natives) serve in the 118th Congress (4 in the House,
1 in the Senate).
The portions of this report covering political party affiliation, gender, ethnicity, and vacant seats may be updated as events
warrant. The remainder of the report will not be updated.
