RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from The Independent — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesThe recent death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and hospitalization of Sen. Mitch McConnell has reignited debate over whether lawmakers are too old to serve
Bookmark Comments Go to comments Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks
Most Americans think lawmakers in Congress are just too old, according to a new poll, as Washington reels from the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham , 71, and the lengthy hospitalization of Sen. Mitch McConnell , 84.
About 58 percent of Americans think the share of elderly lawmakers in Congress, which is currently one of the oldest in U.S. history, is a major problem, per a new CNN / SSRS poll .
That share rises to 68 percent for respondents younger than age 35.
Two-thirds of Americans, meanwhile, told the poll that elected officials should release all medical information about conditions that might impact their ability to serve. Just 25 percent thought politicians have the same right as regular citizens to keep their health records private.
And a whopping 70 percent of people aligned with the major parties said they would be uneasy or upset if the Republicans or Democrats nominated someone over age 70 for office.
The average age of Congress has been creeping up for decades, and the median age of current U.S. senators is 66, a disproportionately high age compared with the general population.
Age concerns are back in the spotlight thanks to years of recent political turmoil.
In 2023, Sen. Dianne Feinstein died in office at age 90 while facing calls to step down amid questions about her declining memory and numerous health complications.
The following year, concerns about President Joe Biden’s health and mental fitness tanked his reelection campaign and led to Kamala Harris replacing him on the ballot.
The trend has cut across parties and administrations.
President Trump has faced persistent questions about his own health and fitness, given that he regularly appears to fall asleep at public events and often is seen with bandages and makeup for a persistent medical condition on his hand.
In the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been absent from congressional business for more than 40 days after a fall in his home in June left him unconscious .
The senator has insisted he’s on the road to recovery, and has shared multiple photos and written statements updating the public about his condition.
Critics have argued the senator needs to do more to assure the public he can still serve.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has demanded in a letter to the senator on Monday that he “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.”
“If you are unwilling to voluntarily show that you still have the capacity to serve, I will insist Leader Thune fully investigate your condition, report to the American people, and begin the process if warranted,” Beshear added.
The Kentucky governor has also challenged CNN to call McConnell live on air, given claims from CNN contributor Scott Jennings that he recently spoke on the phone with McConnell.
Age concerns have inspired calls for term limits and a more transparent process for evaluating and disclosing the health of lawmakers and candidates.
“The U.S. political system has virtually no objective standards to ensure that the people entrusted with the highest offices in the country remain physically and cognitively capable of performing some of the most important and demanding jobs in the world,” Anahita Dua, a vascular surgeon, wrote in a recent MS Now opinion piece. “That is no longer acceptable.”
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.