US Congress faces scrutiny over rising median age and veteran incumbents

The median age of members in the US House of Representatives and Senate has risen significantly since the early 1980s, reaching 58 and 65 respectively at the start of the current Congress. This trend contrasts with the median age of US citizens, which stands at 39, and highlights a growing demographic gap between elected officials and the general population.

Long-serving politicians continue to dominate the federal legislature, with Representative Hal Rogers, 88, seeking his 24th term in the House. Other senior figures include President Donald Trump, 80, Senator Chuck Grassley, 93, and Senator Mitch McConnell, 84. The increasing age of leadership has sparked bipartisan discussions regarding the need for potential age limits or mandatory health checks.

Younger candidates face significant hurdles in challenging these incumbents, often citing a lack of financial resources and a system that favors established career politicians. In the upcoming midterm elections, candidates like 27-year-old Republican Riley Owen are attempting to bridge the generational divide by appealing to younger voters who have shown declining participation rates in recent federal elections.

Read the full story at BBC.