The median age of US Congress members is 64.7 years, raising concerns about their ability to address fast-evolving issues like cryptocurrency and tech regulation. Lawmakers, particularly those over 70, face scrutiny regarding cognitive decline in office. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has proposed mandatory mental fitness exams for lawmakers to ensure they can fulfill their duties effectively. Despite facing opposition from the House Appropriations Committee, Perez continues to advocate for the proposal, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with Congress's competence.
According to the Pew Research Center, the median age of a sitting US congressperson currently stands at 64.7 years old. Though Baby Boomers - which Pew defines as the generation born between 1946 and 1964 - no longer have the monopoly on congressional seats they once did, they still hold 60 of the 99 Senate seats. This demographic reality raises concerns about whether older lawmakers are able to keep pace with rapidly evolving policy issues.
In response to concerns about aging lawmakers and their mental fitness, Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez proposed a measure to require cognitive tests for members of Congress, aiming to ensure their ability to perform duties without significant cognitive impairment.
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