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Congress

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U.S. Representatives of the 119th Congress are sworn in during the House's first day of session on Jan. 3, 2025. (McNamee/Getty Images)

The changing face of Congress in 7 charts

The 119th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, and it includes the nation’s first openly transgender legislator at the federal level.

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Members of the incoming 119th Congress will be sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 3, 2025. (Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images)

Faith on the Hill

Christians will make up 87% of voting members in the Senate and House of Representatives, combined, in the 2025-27 congressional session.

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Congress

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    Census 2010: The Last Seat in Congress

    When the 2010 Census apportionment counts were announced last month, they showed that North Carolina, which scored the last seat in 2000, fell short of winning the 435th or last seat. This time, Minnesota was the winner.

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    The 2010 Congressional Reapportionment and Latinos

    Hispanic voters are nearly three times more prevalent in states that gained congressional seats and Electoral College votes in the 2010 reapportionment than they are in states that lost seats.

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    The 2010 Congressional Reapportionment and Latinos

    Hispanic voters are nearly three times more prevalent in states that gained congressional seats and Electoral College votes in the 2010 reapportionment than they are in states that lost seats.

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    Census 2010: Apportionment Basics

    The first numbers from the 2010 Census, to be released tomorrow, are the state population totals that have been the basis of the proportional division of seats in the House of Representatives since the nation’s early days

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    Census 2010: Apportionment Basics

    The first numbers from the 2010 Census are the state population totals, the basis of the proportional division of seats in the House of Representatives since the nation’s early days. The number of House seats has been fixed at 435 since 1913, but there have been numerous tweaks in the methodology used to divide them up — and debate continues today.

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    Obama Viewed as Doing Better than GOP Leaders in Explaining Vision

    Overview With just over a month to go before the midterm elections, the public by a wide margin says Barack Obama has done a better job than Republican congressional leaders in explaining his plans and vision for the country. Half (50%) of the public says Obama has done a better job, compared with just 28% […]

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    Public’s Wish List for Congress – Jobs and Deficit Reduction

    Overview The public overwhelmingly views the job situation as a major priority for Congress during the coming months. Fully 80% say it is very important for Congress to pass legislation to address the job situation, which is virtually unchanged from May (81%). Somewhat fewer (70%) say it is very important for Congress to reduce the […]

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    Republicans Less Positive Toward Supreme Court

    Overview Republicans’ opinions of the Supreme Court have become less favorable during the Obama administration. As a result, more Democrats than Republicans now express a positive opinion of the Supreme Court – the first time this has occurred since the Clinton administration. Overall opinions of the Supreme Court are unchanged since February, at 58% favorable, […]

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    Public’s Priorities, Financial Regs

    Overview The public views tougher regulations on financial institutions as an important priority for Congress, but far more want Congress to take action on the job situation and energy policy. In thinking about financial regulation, as many say they worry that the government will go too far in regulating financial markets, making it harder for […]

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