A large majority of Americans support imposing both age limits and term limits on members of Congress, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll that highlights growing frustration with the makeup of Capitol Hill.
The survey found that 80% of registered voters favor setting a maximum age limit for candidates running for the House and Senate. Support for congressional term limits was even higher, with 84% of respondents backing restrictions on how long lawmakers can remain in office.
The findings reflect concerns that have been building for years as Congress has grown older and several lawmakers have continued serving well into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. While the poll did not suggest a specific age cap or a set number of terms, support for both ideas crossed party lines and appeared consistent across much of the electorate.
Republicans showed slightly stronger support for the proposals than Democrats. According to the poll, 89% of Republicans favored term limits and 83% supported age limits. Among Democrats, 78% backed both measures. Older voters were somewhat more comfortable with term limits than age restrictions, with respondents over 60 supporting term limits at a rate of 84% compared to 79% for age limits.
Currently, the Constitution only establishes minimum age requirements for federal officeholders. Members of the House must be at least 25 years old, while senators must be at least 30. There are no maximum age restrictions, and lawmakers can seek reelection indefinitely.
The debate over congressional age has intensified following several deaths in office during the current 119th Congress. Five House members have died while serving this term, raising renewed questions about the physical and mental demands of holding office at an advanced age.
Among them was Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who died April 22 at age 80 after experiencing declining health. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona also passed away earlier this year at age 77.
The current Congress is now considered the third-oldest in American history, according to NBC News. Pew Research data showed the median age in the House stood at 57.5 years in early 2025, while the Senate’s median age reached 64.7 years.
One of the most frequently cited examples in the debate is Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who at 92 years old remains one of the most influential Republicans in Washington. Grassley currently chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits high in the presidential line of succession.
The issue of aging leadership has also extended beyond Congress to the White House. President Donald Trump is set to turn 80 next month. If he completes his term in January 2029, he will surpass former President Joe Biden as the oldest president in American history.
In recent years, lawmakers and political observers have floated several ideas aimed at addressing concerns about aging politicians, including cognitive testing, mandatory retirement ages, and stricter health disclosures. However, none of those proposals have gained serious traction in Congress, where lawmakers themselves would ultimately need to approve such reforms.
Supporters of term and age limits argue that new leadership could bring fresh perspectives and reduce the influence of career politicians. Opponents, however, warn that strict limits could remove experienced lawmakers and hand more power to unelected staff members and lobbyists who remain in Washington regardless of election cycles.
The NPR/PBS News/Marist poll surveyed 1,155 registered voters between April 27 and April 30. The poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
