A quarter of voting members of the U.S. Congress identify their race or ethnicity as something other than non-Hispanic White. This statistic highlights a significant shift in the demographics of Congress, reflecting a more diverse representation of the American population. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was supposed to settle the debate over race, redistricting, and representation. Instead, it started new ones, sparking ongoing discussions about fair representation and inclusion in government.
The current meeting of Congress is one of the most racially diverse in history. There are 62 Black members of the current Congress, the most ever recorded. This milestone signals progress in terms of racial representation, but there is still work to be done to ensure that all communities are adequately represented in government. Even though Congress is more diverse today than it has ever been, the overwhelming majority of U.S. Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Senators are still white.
The total number of lawmakers in the 118th Congress that identify as something other than white is the highest in the nation's history. This increase in diversity reflects changing demographics in the United States and a growing emphasis on representation for all communities. The 118th Congress achieved a variety of demographic milestones when its members took office, though it still remains out of step with the ideal of a truly representative government.