The 119th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in U.S. history, with 26% of voting members identifying as minorities, nearly double the share from two decades ago. Of the 139 minority members, 84% are Democrats, reflecting a wider partisan gap than in previous sessions.
In the House, 28% of members are minorities, with Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American representatives now holding seats. The Senate saw an increase to 16 minority senators, including two Black women serving simultaneously for the first time.
Despite progress, Congress remains less diverse than the U.S. population, with non-Hispanic White members making up 74% of lawmakers compared to 58% of Americans. Some racial groups, like Hispanics and Asians, remain underrepresented.
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