Concerns Rise Over Health of Aging Congress as Senator Smith Hospitalized

The unexpected hospitalization of Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota serves as a stark reminder of the physical and mental toll that the political life can take on older members of Congress. The 67-year-old senator was admitted to the hospital after feeling unwell, but she was released the following day, having already announced her decision not to run for reelection in 2026.

Legislators often find themselves working late into the night on crucial votes, as well as frequently traveling back to their home districts. The hot summers in Washington, D.C., add another challenge to their demanding schedules. The current Congress, elected in November 2024, is marginally younger than the previous one, with the median age of House members being approximately 57.5 years, down from 57.9 years in the last Congress. Meanwhile, the median age for senators remains notably higher at 64.7 years, although this marks a slight decline from 65.3 years previously.

Despite the overall drop in median age, there are several significant exceptions in both chambers, including members who are in their seventies or even eighties. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, at 74, was hospitalized earlier this year for dehydration. Representatives such as Virginia Foxx, who is 81, and Nancy Pelosi, 85, have faced health issues recently as well. Pelosi has announced her intent to run for reelection in 2026 despite suffering a hip injury in December while traveling abroad.

Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, 83, has also indicated he won't be seeking reelection and has dealt with injuries from recent falls. The oldest current member of Congress is Senator Chuck Grassley, who will turn 92 this September. The Congress has already experienced three vacancies this year following the deaths of elderly representatives like Gerry Connolly, Raúl Grijalva, and Sylvester Turner.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez previously sought a leadership position in the House but lost to Connolly, who later stepped down due to health issues related to esophageal cancer before his passing in May. This trend of Democrats stepping back from leadership roles due to health challenges includes notable figures such as David Scott and Jerry Nadler, who have also faced their respective health crises. Following these events, more than half of the House Democrats aged 75 or older expressed intentions to run for reelection in 2026, despite some experiencing serious health challenges recently.