The presidential inauguration in the USA is approaching, and as we move closer to Donald Trump becoming president, we’ll see many other significant changes to the political landscape. Along with changing party dynamics, we’ll see many discussions about the age of many high-profile politicians in Congress. Although their wisdom and years of experience are considered valuable qualities in a leader, health concerns and worries surrounding stamina and the ability to meet the demanding needs of the job have been raised.
Prominent lawmakers like Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi are over 80 years old; to date, over 30% of the total number of US senators is older than 70. This congress is history-making—it’s the oldest we’ve ever seen.
From health scares to cognitive decline to life-threatening falls, several vulnerabilities come with an advanced age, and 79% of respondents from a 2023 Pew Research Center survey state that Americans think there should be an age limit when it comes to elected officials.
These figures are influential, and their knowledge is valuable in our world’s current state of global instability and divided political views. Still, this much is certain. Their health concerns will change the world as we know it and impact America’s political future.
Bernie Sanders
Sanders is 83 years old and a champion for progressive policies in the US. Since 2007, he’s been a representative of Vermont, contributing to causes like free college education and Medicare for All. In 2019, when he had a heart attack in the middle of his campaign, and despite a full recovery, the event showed how risky having an older candidate in such a central role can be.
Though his energy has returned, and he remains as committed as ever, the many upcoming challenges of 2025 may require Sanders to come to some hard decisions about his career in the Senate now that he has been re-elected to serve again.
Nancy Pelosi
For years, Nancy Pelosi has symbolized women in politics breaking the glass ceiling. The 84-year-old was the former Speaker of the House (the first woman to take the position) and, since 1987, has represented the 11th district of California. Although she’s made history, her advanced history has sparked discussions about whether she’s fit to play such an active political role.
In December 2024, Pelosi fell down a staircase while traveling in Germany and injured herself. It was a significant injury as she needed to undergo hip replacement surgery, abroad in Europe. Due to the medical attention required, it started yet another debate about the demands of a political lifestyle for leaders who are older. Still, her team said that despite the well wishes she received, she is as “determined” as ever to make sure Americans get the health care access they deserve.
Mitch McConnell
At 82 years old, this Senate Minority Leader has had no shortage of health issues pop up over the years, starting with a serious illness when he was a child. Most recently, in March 2023, he fractured his rib and experienced a concussion after falling down at a hotel in Washington, D.C. He also experienced what’s known as a “freezing episode” at two different press conferences where he found himself at a loss for words, unable to answer reporters’ questions for a few moments.
While McConnell addressed these concerns, in a statement following the incident, he said he was “completely recovered” and “in good shape,” although many disagreed. Less than a year later, he fell again in the Capitol in December 2024. Who knows what 2025 will bring and how it will impact his leadership?
