Pew Research: Record-Setting Diversity in the 119th Congress

The 119th U.S. Congress stands as the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, with over a quarter (26%) of voting members identifying as non-White. This milestone continues an ongoing trend, with each successive Congress breaking previous records for diversity.

A Look at the Numbers

A Pew Research Center analysis highlights that 139 senators and representatives identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian American, or Native American. This marks a significant increase from 73 members in the 109th Congress (2005-07), reflecting a nearly twofold growth over two decades. Notably, 84% of these minority lawmakers are Democrats, while 16% are Republicans, a slightly wider partisan gap than in the previous Congress.

House of Representatives

In the House, 28% of members belong to racial or ethnic minorities. While this proportion remains unchanged from the 118th Congress, the 119th House introduces unique milestones:

• Multiracial Representation: Five representatives identify with multiple racial or ethnic groups, including Maxwell Alejandro Frost (Florida) and Marilyn Strickland (Washington).

• New Members: Sixteen newly elected minority members join the House, predominantly Democrats.

Additionally, six nonvoting delegates representing U.S. territories and the District of Columbia contribute to this diversity, spanning Black, Hispanic, and Asian identities.

Senate Milestones

The Senate’s racial and ethnic diversity has grown, with 16 minority senators now serving—up from 12 in the previous Congress. Among them:

• Historic Firsts: Angela Alsobrooks (Maryland) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware) are the first Black women to represent their states in the Senate.

• Native American Representation: Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) is the first Native American senator since 2005.

Room for Growth

Despite these advances, Congress remains less diverse than the U.S. population. Non-Hispanic White individuals comprise 74% of Congress, compared to 58% of the population. While Black and Native American representation in the House aligns with their national population shares, Hispanic and Asian Americans remain underrepresented.

This ongoing shift toward greater representation highlights both progress and the challenges ahead in ensuring that Congress reflects the full diversity of the nation.