WASHINGTON — Democrat Representative Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez of Washington's 3rd congressional district is pushing Congress to establish cognitive standards for its members, a direct challenge to the chamber's aging leadership.
The average age of a House member is 59, making this one of the oldest Congresses on record. In May, Gluesenkamp-Perez introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 Legislative Appropriations Bill that would require the Office of Congressional Conduct to develop standards for assessing whether members suffer from "significant irreversible cognitive impairment" that impairs their ability to perform their duties.
The amendment failed in a voice vote. But Gluesenkamp-Perez has not backed down.
"In every job I've ever had, there's a simple expectation. You actually have to be able to do the work," she said in a video posted to X on Monday. "Congress shouldn't be any different."
Her effort has drawn bipartisan interest. Daniel Miressi, a Republican running for Connecticut's 4th congressional district, voiced support. An anonymous right-wing X account also endorsed the idea.
Concerns about senior lawmakers' fitness for office have mounted. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, died in office at 90 in 2023 after months of questions about her mental acuity. Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and 84 years old, has been absent from the Senate for over a month, prompting GOP colleagues to demand answers and call for term limits.
Gluesenkamp-Perez has been consistent on the issue. She called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race after his June debate performance against Donald Trump.
