A generational lens on 125 years of U.S. legislative power. Each generation rises, dominates, and is displaced — but the Boomers have held on longer than anyone before them, and they're not done yet.
Generational makeup of elected officials vs. the workforce they govern. Congress skews dramatically older than every sector it regulates — Millennials and Gen Z make up ~60% of workers but barely register in the halls of power.
Each generation rises, dominates, and is displaced. Boomers have held power longest — and still aren't letting go.
Mean age of the Senate and House of Representatives, 1901–2025. After decades of relative stability, a dramatic aging trend began in the 1980s and has never reversed.
At four moments in history: who was in Congress, how old they were, and how long they'd already been there. The Boomer column tells the whole story.
33 Senate seats are on the ballot in 2026. These are the Class II incumbents — how long they've been there, and whether they're letting go. Each pillar is one senator. Height = years served. The ones still holding on are lit. The ones stepping aside are faded.
Senate: Class II incumbents only. Re-election status based on confirmed public announcements. Special elections (FL, OH) not included.