Congress is Aging, and Many Members are Dying in Office

The halls of Congress are getting quieter—not from lack of debate, but from attrition. In the past five years alone, thirteen sitting members of Congress have died while in office, a sobering reflection of the institution’s increasing age and growing disconnect from the working-age Americans it is supposed to represent.

Many of these lawmakers were decades into their political careers, serving well past the average American retirement age. Some passed away after long battles with illness; others died suddenly, leaving seats vacant and constituents without representation. For a country that often champions renewal and reform, its national legislature has become a case study in political stagnation.

Among the most high-profile losses was Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who died in office in September 2023 at the age of 90. In her final years, Feinstein faced mounting scrutiny over her cognitive decline, absences from critical votes, and heavy reliance on staff. Yet she remained in office until her death—largely due to her seniority and influence on key Senate committees.

In April 2024, Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) died at age 65 after suffering a heart attack. Just months earlier, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) passed away suddenly at 74. Lee’s successor, the late mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner, died in office just three months into his term. He was 70 years old. And in early 2025, two more sitting members—Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)—died in office, both of whom were in their 70s and had served for decades.

Each of these losses triggered costly special elections or interim appointments and, more importantly, left their districts temporarily unrepresented in Congress. The consequences are not just symbolic—they are legislative, budgetary, and deeply personal for constituents.

The problem isn’t limited to one party, though recent patterns show it skewing toward Democrats, who currently maintain an older congressional cohort. But both parties are affected by the aging trend. Representative Don Young (R-AK), the longest-serving Republican in House history, died in 2022 at age 88 while still in office.

These losses underscore a broader truth: Congress is old—and getting older. The average age in the Senate is now over 64. In the House, it hovers just under 60. Leadership positions skew even older. The result is a legislative body increasingly out of step with the younger, more diverse, and more digitally native generations that make up modern America.

Critics argue that this aging class of lawmakers clings to power not because of performance, but because the system allows them to. Entrenched incumbency, name recognition, and gerrymandering have created a political culture where once elected, members can remain for decades—often unchallenged, regardless of effectiveness.

That’s why a growing movement is renewing its push for congressional term limits.

Support for term limits is overwhelming among the public. A 2024 Pew Research Center poll found that 78% of Americans support term limits, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Advocates propose capping service at 12 years—two terms for senators and six for representatives.

Proponents argue term limits would:

• Bring in new ideas and younger leadership

• Reduce the influence of entrenched special interests

• Minimize health-related interruptions or late-term decline

• Reconnect Congress with the pace and needs of the American people

Opponents, including many in Congress itself, argue that term limits would reduce institutional knowledge and experience. But critics say the trade-off is worth it.

“When members are dying in office at this rate, something is broken,” said a conservative policy analyst who spoke to ALM on the condition of anonymity. “This isn’t a question of partisanship. It’s a question of whether power is being hoarded past the point of usefulness.”

Even as the public appetite for change grows, legislative momentum remains slow. Amending the Constitution to impose term limits would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress—something unlikely without significant public pressure or state-led initiatives.

Still, the deaths of sitting lawmakers offer a powerful and painful reminder of why the debate matters. At a time when Americans expect innovation, accountability, and energy from their leaders, too many seats are held by individuals unable—or unwilling—to step aside until death forces them to. For example, Representative John Carter (TX-31) commented that he would continue to seek reelection until he dies of old age. Many more are expected to do the same, wielding power and influence because political donors see them as a stable investment. There are nearly 120 members of Congress over the age of 70, with many missing long periods of work due to health concerns.

If Congress won’t limit itself, the American people may soon insist on doing it for them with a term limits amendment.