Membership of the 108th Congress: A Profile

Publication Date: October 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

This report presents a profile of the membership of the 108 Congress. Included is information on numbers of Members, party affiliation, average age and length of service, occupations, religious affiliation, military service, female and minority Members, and foreign-born Members.

Currently, in the House, there are 227 Republicans, 210 Democrats (including five Delegates), one Independent, who is aligned with the Democrats, and two vacancies. The Senate has 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and one Independent, who is aligned with the Democrats.

The average age of Representatives at the beginning of the 108 th Congress was 53.9 years; of Senators, 59.5 years; and of both houses, 54.9. An overwhelming majority of Members have a college education. The dominant profession of Members continues to be law, followed by business.

Protestants collectively constitute the majority religious affiliation of Members. Roman Catholics account for the largest single religious denomination, and numerous other affiliations are represented.

At the beginning of the 108 Congress, the average length of service in the House was about 9 years (4.6 terms); in the Senate, 11.3 years or almost 2 terms.

A record number of 77 women serve in the 108 Congress: 63 in the House, 14 in the Senate. Also a record 25 Hispanic Members, all in the House, including one Delegate. There are 39 black Members, all in the House, including two Delegates. Seven Members are Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. There are three American Indians.

This report will be revised at the commencement of the 109 Congress unless significant changes occur in the 108 th Congress.