A Profile of the 113th Congress, and More from CRS
“The average age of Members of the 113th Congress is among the highest of any Congress in recent U.S. history,” according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service. The average age of Members of the House of Representatives is 57 years, while the average age of Senators is 62 years.
“The overwhelming majority of Members of Congress have a college education,” the CRS found. “The dominant professions of Members are public service/politics, business, and law. Most Members identify as Christians, and Protestants collectively constitute the majority religious affiliation. Roman Catholics account for the largest single religious denomination, and numerous other affiliations are represented.”
One hundred women (a record number) serve in the 113th Congress. There are 43 African American Members, and 38 Hispanic or Latino Members (a record number) serving. Thirteen Members are Asian American or Pacific Islanders. There is one Native American serving in the House. See Membership of the 113th Congress: A Profile, February 20, 2013.
Other noteworthy new and updated products of the Congressional Research Service that Congress has not made publicly available include the following.
Congressional Authority to Limit Military Operations, February 19, 2013
Nuclear Weapons R&D Organizations in Nine Nations, February 22, 2013
Bond v. United States: Validity and Construction of the Federal Chemical Weapons Statute, February 21, 2013
Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements, February 20, 2013
Border Security: Understanding Threats at U.S. Borders, February 21, 2013
NAFTA at 20: Overview and Trade Effects, February 21, 2013
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, February 22, 2013, with new material on the anticipated impact of sequestration.
Azerbaijan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests, February 22, 2013
U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options, February 20, 2013
Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations, February 26, 2013
Moving postsecondary education data collection to the states is the best way to ensure that the U.S. Department of Education can meet its legislative mandates in an era of constrained federal resources.
Supporting children’s development through health, nutrition, education, and protection programs helps the U.S. achieve its national security and economic interests, including the Administration’s priorities to make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
To strengthen federal–state alignment, upcoming AI initiatives should include three practical measures: readiness assessments before fund distribution, outcomes-based contracting tied to student progress, and tiered implementation support reflecting district capacity.
“FAS is very pleased to see the Fix Our Forests Act, S. 1426, advance out of Committee. We urge the Senate to act quickly to pass this legislation and to ensure that federal agencies have the capacity and resourcing they need to carry out its provisions.”