People have been left shocked at the average age of US congressmen as it's been revealed that an 80-year-old representative failed to vote in the last six elections.
Georgia representative David Scott has been in office for more than two decades, representing their 13th district, a suburban area near Atlanta.
But he was recently exposed by state representative Doctor Jasmine Clark who found out via public records that he hasn’t voted in six elections in a row, including the 2024 presidential election.
This is despite him campaigning for people in his district to vote for him every two years.
Advert
Sharing the finds on X, Doctor Clark criticized Scott, saying it’s unacceptable for someone in Congress not to vote themselves.
She also accused him of not living in the district he represents.
It comes amid growing scrutiny around Scott, who was born in 1975, following a number of public appearances.
In June, he claimed to have gone to the premiere of The Ten Commandments in 1956, even though he would’ve only been 11 years old, reports the New Republic.
In February, he gave a rambling speech about tariffs during a congressional hearing that had to be cut off.
And last December, he was caught on camera swearing at a photographer while being pushed in a wheelchair outside the Capitol.
People in Washington, including colleagues, staffers, and lobbyists, have expressed concern about his ability to do his job.
What is the average age of representatives in Congress?
There are a total of 535 members of Congress, with 100 serving in the US Senate and 435 serving in the US House of Representatives.
According to Fiscal Note, the average age of the 119th Congress is 58 years old.
Of the House's 435 members, more than a quarter are in their 50s, while only one member is in their 20s.
The average age among the American population, in contrast, is 38.7 years old.
President Donald Trump is 79 years old.
Among Republicans, the 70 to 79 age group grew the most compared to the previous (118th) Congress, meaning more members in their seventies joined or remained in office.
In contrast, the 60 to 69 age group saw the biggest drop in numbers.
For Democrats, the trend was different; the 50 to 59 age group gained the most, with eight new members added in that range.
However, just like the Republicans, Democrats also lost the most members in the 60 to 69 age bracket.
Meanwhile, three other older Democratic representatives have passed away this year; Representatives Gerry Connolly, 75, Sylvester Turner, 70, and Raúl Grijalva, 77.
What are people saying?
Scott is running for his 12th term in Congress, but many think it might be time for him to retire, including former speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Upon learning the average age of congressmen, people have taken to social media to share their shock.
"These people squatting in seats for decades can’t accurately relate to, or represent, the needs of Americans. We need term limits," one person said.
A second weighed in: "Not term limits so much as age limits. Just install a forced retirement age."
A third wrote: "Need age limits, term limits, and IQ minimums."
Others argued that congressmen are voted in for a reason, however, despite their age.
UNILAD has contacted David Scott for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics
Ellie Kemp