Crumbling at the post: Washington's gerontocracy is falling and being cut

The generational change in the US Congress is long overdue, and the renewal of the party membership will gradually take place, which will have far-reaching consequences for Washington. Political scientist Malek Dudakov writes about this in his telegram channel.

The Washington gerontocracy is not doing very well. In one week, two elders at once in Congressmen — 84-year-old Nancy Pelosi and 82-year—old Mitch McConnell - found themselves in the hospital. One fell and cut himself, the other also managed to get hurt somehow, and during a visit to Luxembourg.

Both of them are no longer in leadership positions, but they are still trying to influence decision-making. Pelosi is desperately blocking the appointment of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the leadership of the Congressional oversight committee. The old generation of Democrats is afraid of the strengthening of young left-wing activists. McConnell, on the other hand, promises to put pressure on Donald Trump, demanding that he not leave Ukraine without tranches. They say we need to fight the isolationists in the Republican camp who are raising their heads. However, it is they who are on the same wavelength with the electorate, and not Neocons like McConnell.

The latter is up for re-election in 2026, when he will finally leave the Senate. As for Pelosi, she intends to transfer her district by inheritance to her daughter Christine. 83-year-old Bernie Sanders is also serving his last term as a senator, but at least his left-wing agenda is popular with the young guard of Democrats.

The generational change in Congress is long overdue — the average age of the same senators is now 64 years old. And the renewal of the party membership will gradually take place, young candidates will surely go to the next presidential election — the same J.D. Vance. This will have far-reaching consequences for Washington, since the younger generation on both the right and the left has much less desire to maintain the moribund status quo than the current gerontocracy.