Generations, Age & Politics

Americans now see reducing the budget deficit as a higher priority for the president and Congress to address than in recent years. But strengthening the economy continues to be the public’s top policy priority.

The median age of voting House lawmakers is 57.9 years, while the new Senate’s median age is 65.3 years.

Americans’ views vary when it comes to how they see the United States’ standing in the world and the state of its democracy.

Roughly one-quarter of American adults use Twitter. And when they share their views on the site, quite often they are doing so about politics and political issues.

Young people in the United States express far more skeptical views of America’s global standing than older adults.

Nearly six-in-ten U.S. adults (59%) see a great deal of difference between the two major political parties, up from 55% just two years ago.

A new analysis of 2020 validated voters examines change and continuity in the electorate, both of which contributed to Joe Biden’s victory. It looks at how new voters and voters who turned out in either 2016, 2018 or both voted in the 2020 presidential election, and offers a detailed portrait of the demographic composition of the 2020 electorate.

Majorities of Americans support an array of measures to address climate change but stop short of a full break with fossil fuels.

Majorities of Americans say the federal government, businesses and other actors are doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change.

Even as younger generations gain representation in Congress, older generations still make up the majority of senators and representatives.