Sarah Mitchell
The religious affiliation of senators in the United States has long been a topic of interest to the media, public, and religious groups. While the religious preference of elected officials is not an indication of their allegiance or voting record, it is often a consideration for religious groups and the general public when appealing to senators on moral or religious issues. As of January 2023, there are 27 Catholic senators out of 100 in the United States Senate, which is a slight decrease from the 28% (26 senators) in the 118th Congress and 30% (22 senators) in the 117th Congress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | January 2023 |
| Number of Catholics in the Senate | 27 |
| Percentage of Catholics in the Senate | 26% |
| Number of Catholics in the House of Representatives | 122 |
| Percentage of Catholics in the House of Representatives | 28% |
| Total Number of Catholics in the United States Congress | 149 |
| Percentage of Catholics in the United States Congress | 30.5% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics make up 26-31% of the House and 24-28% of the Senate
The religious composition of the US Congress is quite different from that of the American public. While Catholics constitute 20% of the US adult population, they make up 26-31% of the House and 24-28% of the Senate. This is a significant proportion, especially considering that before 1840, Catholics were a small minority and played a relatively minor role in American history.
The number of Catholics in Congress has been increasing. In 2019, Catholics represented 30.5% of Congress, with 141 Representatives and 22 Senators. By 2021, the 117th Congress had 148 Catholic members, and Catholics made up 31% of the House and 24% of the Senate. As of January 2023, there are 122 Catholics in the House of Representatives and 27 in the Senate.
The higher representation of Catholics in Congress compared to the general population is not unique to this religious group. Jews, for example, make up 2% of the US adult population but account for 6% of Congress. On the other hand, the religiously unaffiliated are significantly underrepresented in Congress, making up just 0.2% of the 115th Congress despite constituting 23% of the general public.
The religious affiliation of senators and representatives is of interest to religious groups and the general public. While it is not necessarily reflective of their voting records, constituents may appeal to senators of their denomination on religious or moral issues.
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There are 122 Catholics in the House of Representatives
As of January 2023, there are 122 Catholics in the House of Representatives out of a total of 435 members. This means that Catholics make up around 28% of the House of Representatives, a greater share than in the US population overall (21%). The percentage of Catholics in the House has remained stable over the last few years, at around 30-32%1961, when only 19% of the House identified as Catholic.
The religious affiliation of members of the House of Representatives is a topic of interest to the media, the public, and religious groups. While it is not necessarily reflective of their voting records, representatives may be appealed to by religious groups on moral or religious issues. The Catholic Church has been involved in politics in the US, with Cardinal Roger Mahony lobbying senators for a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2006.
The number of Catholics in the House is notable, as Catholics make up a significant proportion of the US population, and the country has seen large waves of Catholic immigration throughout its history. From the American Revolution until the end of the 18th century, about 1% of the population was Catholic. By 1840, there were about 600,000 Catholics in the US, with 200,000 Irish immigrating in the 1840s alone. Today, most immigration to the US is from predominantly Catholic nations, and about 3/4 of lapsed Catholics in the US have been replaced by immigrant Catholics.
The Catholic faith has played a role in US politics, with two Catholic presidents, John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, and two Catholic vice presidents, Joe Biden and JD Vance. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Catholic Speaker of the House.
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Catholics are more represented in Congress than in the general population
The United States Senate reflects the variety of religions in the United States, though it is not in line with the religious affiliation of the general population. While the religious preference of elected officials does not indicate their allegiance or voting record, it is a topic of discussion among the media and public.
The role of Catholics in American culture and elections has evolved due to mass immigration of Catholics from Europe, particularly from Germany and Ireland, in the 19th century. Immigration has continued to be a factor, with about 3/4 of lapsed Catholics being replaced by immigrant Catholics.
While there has been a long-term decline in the Christian share of US adults, 88% of the voting members in the 118th Congress identify as Christian. This is only slightly lower than their share in the 1970s. Congress is more heavily Protestant and Catholic than the US adult population.
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The first Catholic senator was elected in 1830
The United States Senate and the House are numerically dominated by Christians, with a Protestant majority in both chambers. Catholics account for a slightly greater share of House members than Senators. As of January 2023, there are 27 Catholics in the United States Senate out of 100 members.
The first Catholic senator was Edward Kavanagh, who was elected in 1830. Kavanagh was nationally noticed as the first Catholic elected from New England. He was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1831, to March 3, 1835.
Before 1840, Catholics constituted a small minority and played a relatively minor role in early American history. From the American Revolution until the end of the 18th century, about 1% of the American population (around 30,000 people) was Catholic. However, Catholics were among the Founding Fathers and were part of the First Congress. Daniel Carroll served Maryland's 6th congressional district, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton served as the first senator from Maryland.
Charles Carroll (September 19, 1737 – November 14, 1832) was an American politician, planter, and signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He was the only Catholic signatory and the longest survivor, dying 56 years after its signing. Carroll served in the Maryland Senate from 1781 to 1800 and was elected as one of Maryland's inaugural representatives in the United States Senate. He resigned his seat in 1792 after Maryland passed a law barring individuals from simultaneously serving in state and federal office. He retired from public service in 1801 but came out of retirement in 1827 to help create the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
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Catholics constituted a small minority before 1840
Before 1840, Catholics constituted a small minority in the United States, with about 1% of the population (around 30,000 people) being Catholic from the American Revolution until the end of the 18th century. During this period, Catholics played a relatively minor role in early American history and politics. However, it is important to note that there were still Catholics among the Founding Fathers, and they were represented in the First Congress, with Daniel Carroll serving Maryland's 6th congressional district and Charles Carroll of Carrollton serving as the first senator from Maryland.
The small Catholic minority in the US before 1840 can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Catholicism was more prevalent in certain regions, such as Maryland, where it had a significant community, while in other regions, such as the South, there were few Catholics except in places like Louisiana. Additionally, the country experienced a wave of immigration from predominantly Protestant countries, which contributed to the Protestant majority.
The role of Catholics in American society and politics began to change in the 19th century, particularly from the 1840s onwards. This period saw a significant increase in Catholic immigration to the United States, with waves of immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, and French Canada. Between 1820 and 1860, the Irish constituted over one-third of all immigrants to the United States, and in the 1840s, they made up nearly half of all immigrants. By 1840, there were about 600,000 Catholics in the country.
The influx of Catholic immigrants had a significant impact on the religious and cultural landscape of the United States. It led to a growing fear of the Catholic "menace" among Protestants and nativist sentiments. Additionally, the immigration patterns altered the dynamics within the Catholic Church in America, with the Irish soon dominating the clergy and controlling most Catholic colleges and seminaries. The mass immigration of Catholics also had political ramifications, as it led to a shift in political allegiances, with Catholics gravitating towards the Democratic Party.
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Frequently asked questions
As of January 2023, there are 27 Catholic senators out of 100 in the United States Senate.
Catholics make up 26% of the US Senate.
The US Senate is numerically dominated by Christians, with 56% of senators identifying as Protestant. Catholics represent a larger share of senators than Jews (8%) and Buddhists (1%), who each have a smaller presence in the Senate.
