The Percentage of Black Members in the U.S. Congress

Since Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I have a dream" speech in August 1963, the number of Black Americans elected to the US Congress has steadily increased. Today, 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.

A quarter of voting members of the U.S. Congress identify their race or ethnicity as something other than non-Hispanic 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 shows a significant shift towards more representation for minority groups within the legislative branch.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was supposed to settle the debate over race, redistricting, and representation. Instead, it started new ones. The 118th Congress achieved a variety of demographic milestones when its members took office, though it still remains out of step with the overall racial demographics of the United States.

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. This highlights the ongoing struggle for true representation and inclusivity in the highest levels of government.

When lawmakers gather for President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, the Republican side of the aisle will look slightly different. Republican lawmakers pushed through a new congressional map a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the state's existing map diluted minority voting power.

Overall, the percentage of Black members in the U.S. Congress has seen a positive increase over the years, but there is still work to be done to ensure equal representation for all racial and ethnic groups. As the demographics of the country continue to evolve, it is crucial for Congress to reflect the diversity of its constituents in order to truly represent the American people.