Is It Time For Elderly Democrats To Step Aside For A Younger Generation?

The retirement age for Social Security is 66 years old, and most Americans retire before the age of 70. But in the United States Congress, that is not true. The average age of a senator is 65/66 (and 57 for House members). Some members in safe districts will serve for many years past those numbers. Meanwhile, the average age of the U.S. population is about 38.

This has resulted in a discussion among Democrats about whether some aging members of Congress should step aside for a younger generation. 

The budget bill in the House just passed by one vote (215 to 214). If Democrats had one more vote, it would not have passed - and Democrats are short by 3 of their elected members. Three House Democrats have died this year - Gerry Connolly (75), Raul Grijalva (77), and Sylvester Turner (70). If these three had not run in the last election and been replaced by younger Democrats, the GOP bill would not have passed.

While it is true that some people over 75 maintain their mental acuity and physical health, it is not true of most people - and while most senior members of Congress would likely deny it, it is also true of them.

One argument used to justify the repeated election of older members is that doing otherwise would result in a loss of expertise. I don't buy that argument. Expertise can quickly be realized by younger and newer members - and no one is so important they cannot be replaced.

Currently, there are 30 Democrats in the House that are 75 or older. Only two of them have said they will not run for re-election in 2026. Most of them have already announced they are running for re-election. I think all of them have served honorably and with distinction, but to run again is a mistake. It's time for them to step aside and make room for a new generation of Democrats.

I'm not alone in this belief. A 2023 poll of Americans by the Pew Research Center showed that 79% of adults would like to see an age limit on elected officials (including 76% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans). 

It is unlikely that Congress will address this issue. Too many members are at or near the age of 75, and too many others dream of serving past that age (in both parties). If this is to be addressed, it will be up to the voters.

There is talk currently of primary opponents for many senior Democrats. I hope that happens. The voters deserve a choice. Just because someone has held a seat for many years doesn't mean they are entitled to hold it until their death.

NOTE - In the interest of full disclosure, I am over 75 years old.