Millennial Action Project: 116th Congress is the Youngest in a Generation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     

January 3, 2019
Contact: Julia Schechter, (917) 282-2754 

  

Millennial Action Project: 116th Congress is the Youngest in a Generation
Record 32 Millennials sworn into office today, significantly lowering average age of Congress

WASHINGTON – Today, a record 32 Millennials will be sworn into the 116th Congress. The 115th Congress was one of the oldest in history – the average American was 20 years younger than their representative – and this group of young members will significantly lower the average age of Congress to better represent the population of the United States.

This new crop of Millennial legislators includes Josh Hawley, the 38-year-old who won over Claire McCaskill in Missouri and will become the youngest member of the Senate, as well as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Abby Finkenauer of Iowa, who will be the youngest people in the House at just 29 years old, and the youngest women ever to serve.

“Americans made it clear in the midterms that they are tired of politics as usual,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “These young legislators will bring a fresh perspective to Congress, and help to shake up years of entrenched gridlock and hyperpartisanship. We look forward to working with all of the new Millennial members to advance policies that better the country for future generations.”  

These young members are poised to shake up years of partisan gridlock in politics, as research shows Millennials are more willing than other generation to find common ground on divisive issues. Findings from Millennial Action Project show that Millennials, more than any other age group, identify as “Solutions Voters,” who believe practical solutions exist for most of our problems, and are optimistic that we can solve them.

While dysfunction and gridlock in government dominate the headlines, a counter-movement is underway – led by Millennials – that is disrupting the status quo. Millennial Action Project – which is behind the first caucus for young members of Congress and 27 like-minded State Future Caucuses – is focused on encouraging more Millennials to take matters into their own hands and help chart a path back to bipartisan cooperation in Washington.

Media contact: Julia Schechter, (917) 282-2754 or [email protected]

The Millennial Action Project (MAP) is a national, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to activating young policymakers to bridge the partisan divide and lead a new era of collaborative governance. In 2013, MAP organized America’s first-ever bipartisan caucus for young members of Congress, the Congressional Future Caucus. Shaping the next generation of leadership, MAP’s Future Caucus Network has expanded into over 25 state legislatures and grown into the largest nonpartisan organization of Millennial elected officials in the U.S. More info available at: futurecaucus.org.