Congressional Research Service Report for Congress ……This report presents a profile of the membership of the 108th 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 228 Republicans, 210 Democrats (including five Delegates), one Independent, who is aligned with the Democrats, and one vacancy. 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 108th 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 108th 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 108th 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…… Congressional Research Service The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities. CRS’s analytic capabilities integrate multiple disciplines and research methodologies. In a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, CRS provides Congress with the vital, analytical support it needs to address the most complex public policy issues facing the nation. Its work incorporates program and legislative expertise, quantitative methodologies, and legal and economic analysis.
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress ……This report presents a profile of the membership of the 108th 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 228 Republicans, 210 Democrats (including five Delegates), one Independent, who is aligned with the Democrats, and one vacancy. 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 108th 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 108th 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 108th 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…… Congressional Research Service The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities. CRS’s analytic capabilities integrate multiple disciplines and research methodologies. In a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, CRS provides Congress with the vital, analytical support it needs to address the most complex public policy issues facing the nation. Its work incorporates program and legislative expertise, quantitative methodologies, and legal and economic analysis.