Michael Brooks
Religion and politics are closely intertwined in the United States, with politicians often discussing their faith while campaigning. While the religious preference of elected officials does not indicate their allegiance or voting record, it is a topic of interest to the media, public, and religious groups. Research shows that candidates who are perceived as religious are considered more trustworthy. In this context, it is worth examining the religious composition of the US Congress and exploring how many politicians identify as Christian or Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Christians in the 115th session of Congress | 91% |
| Percentage of Christians in the 117th Congress | 88% |
| Percentage of Christians in the 118th Congress | 72% |
| Percentage of Christians in the US population | 63% |
| Percentage of Republicans in the House and Senate who identify as Christian | 99% |
| Percentage of Democrats in Congress who identify as Christian | 76% to 77.8% |
| Percentage of Democrats who are Protestant | 44% |
| Percentage of Republicans who are Protestant | 69% |
| Percentage of Democrats who are Catholic | 31% to 33.7% |
| Percentage of Republicans who are Catholic | 25% to 25.7% |
| Percentage of Congress that is Protestant | 55% to 57% |
| Percentage of Congress that is Catholic | 30% to 31% |
| Percentage of Congress that is Jewish | 5% |
| Percentage of Americans who are atheist, agnostic, or "none of the above" | 26% |
| Number of members of the 117th Congress who are atheist or religiously unaffiliated | 1 |
| Number of members of Congress who are Orthodox Christians | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
Christians in Congress
Christians make up the vast majority in the US Congress, with some sources stating that 88% of members identify as Christian. This is a much higher proportion than in the general population, where only around 63% of US adults identify as Christian.
The religious affiliation of politicians is a topic of interest to the media, public, and religious groups, who may appeal to representatives of their denomination on religious or moral issues. It is also frequently discussed by the politicians themselves during campaigns.
Within the chambers of Congress, Christians hold wide majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with almost 87% and 86% of total members, respectively. Baptists are the largest Protestant denomination in both chambers.
The number of Protestants who do not specify a particular denomination has been rising, with vague answers such as "Protestant", "Christian", or "evangelical Protestant" increasing from 96 to 107. The number of nondenominational Protestants has also risen from 12 to 15.
There are 148 Catholics in Congress, which is 10 fewer than the previous session, and they make up about 28% of members, a greater share than in the US population overall (21%). Catholics are the largest Christian denomination in America, with over 68 million members, and they have been active in US politics since the mid-19th century.
There are also eight Orthodox Christians in the 118th Congress, one of whom is Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, who identifies with the Russian Orthodox Church.
Nearly all congressional Republicans (99%) describe themselves as Christians, compared to about three-quarters of Democrats (76%). Both parties are more heavily Christian than US adults overall. Democrats in Congress are less likely than Republicans to identify as Protestant (44% vs 69%) but are more likely to be Catholic (31% vs 25%).
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Catholics in Congress
Catholics have been active in American politics since the mid-19th century. While there has never been a Catholic religious party, Catholics represent the largest Christian denomination in the country, with over 68 million members. In national elections, Catholics cast 25 to 27% of the ballots.
In the 118th Congress, there were 148 Catholics, making up about 28% of the members, a greater share than in the US population overall (21%). In the 119th Congress, the number of Catholics rose to 150, making up 29% of the House and 24% of the Senate.
Catholics are present in both the Democratic and Republican parties, with a greater share of Democrats than Republicans identifying as Catholic (31-32% vs 25%). Evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics tend to support the Republican Party, while liberal Protestants, Catholics, and secular voters tend to support the Democrats.
While the religious preference of elected officials does not necessarily reflect their voting record, it is a topic of interest to religious groups and the general public, who may appeal to representatives of their denomination on religious or moral issues.
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Political leanings of Christians
While the religious preference of elected officials may not be indicative of their allegiance or voting record, it is a topic of interest and discussion among the media, public, and religious groups. Religion can also be a source of appeal for various denominations on moral and religious issues.
In the United States, Christians are present in both the Democratic and Republican parties. However, evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics tend to lean towards the Republican Party, while liberal Protestants, Catholics, and secular voters often support the Democratic Party.
A 2020 PRRI American Values Survey found that among Democratic voters, 42% were Protestant and 23% were Catholic. In contrast, Republican voters were 54% Protestant and 18% Catholic. Furthermore, a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that 54% of adults viewed the Republican Party as "friendly" towards religion, compared to only 19% for the Democratic Party.
Within Christianity, there are also varying political leanings. Liberal Christians have been engaged in social justice work, focusing on Christ's radical love and inclusion for marginalized people. On the other hand, conservative evangelicalism tends to emphasize sin, repentance, and salvation. White evangelical Christians have been a driving force for the right wing, with a significant proportion voting for Trump.
It is worth noting that the religious landscape in the United States has been pluralistic, with opportunities for dialogue and bridge-building between liberal and conservative Christians. However, the current polarized political landscape presents new challenges for Christians of varying political beliefs.
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Political leanings of Catholics
Catholics represent one of the largest and most diverse religious groups in the United States, with over one-fifth of Americans identifying as Catholic (22%), including 12% who identify as White Catholic and 8% as Hispanic Catholic. Despite the Catholic Church's stance on a variety of political issues, Catholic voters' opinions vary widely. In recent years, Catholics have swung back and forth between the Republican and Democratic candidates in US presidential elections.
In 2016, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. This marked a shift from 2008, when Catholics chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain by a margin of 54% to 45%. White Catholic registered voters tend to lean towards the Republican Party, with 57% identifying as Republicans or leaning Republican, while most Hispanic Catholic voters (68%) identify as Democrats or lean Democratic.
Catholics' political leanings can also be influenced by their Mass attendance. Those who attend Mass weekly or more often may have different political views than those who attend less frequently. Additionally, Catholics' views on specific policy issues may align more with their political party than with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For example, on the issue of abortion, Catholic voters tend to follow their political party's stance rather than the Church's official position.
While there is no single "Catholic vote", the Catholic Church has been actively involved in American politics, particularly on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ rights, immigration, and education. The Church's teachings emphasize the common good and caring for the less fortunate, which may resonate with both conservative and liberal ideologies. However, Catholics in the United States have diverse political leanings, and their votes are influenced by a range of factors, including race and ethnicity and policy priorities.
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Religion in US elections
Religion continues to play a significant role in US elections, with candidates frequently discussing their faith while campaigning. The United States has more Christians than any other country, and it has often been referred to as a Protestant nation. However, Protestants no longer make up the majority in the US, with only 43% of the population identifying as such.
The religious affiliation of politicians is a topic of interest for many religious groups and the general public, who may appeal to representatives of their denomination on religious or moral issues. While the religious preference of elected officials does not necessarily indicate their voting record or allegiance, it is still a source of commentary and discussion among the media and the public.
In the 118th Congress, the religious composition of the House of Representatives was predominantly Christian (86%), with 5% identifying as Jewish and 3% as other religions. Among Christians, 57% were Protestant, and Catholics made up about 28%, a higher proportion than in the US population (21%). The number of Protestants who did not specify a particular denomination rose from 96 to 107, while the number of Catholics decreased by 10 to 148.
The link between partisanship and voters' religious affiliation remains strong in US elections. While religious "nones" have become more Democratic, with 70% of religiously unaffiliated voters aligning with the Democratic Party, white evangelical Protestants have increasingly moved toward the Republican Party. In the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump received votes from more than eight in ten white evangelicals, six in ten white Catholics, and six in ten white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants. Trump also gained support from Hispanic religious voters, with 63% of Hispanic Protestants and 43% of Hispanic Catholics voting for him.
Historically, religious tensions have influenced US elections. In 1960, John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, was nominated by the Democrats, and his victory sparked religious tensions. In 2004, John Kerry, a Catholic who clashed with the Church on abortion and same-sex marriage issues, failed to attract significant Catholic votes, as more Catholics voted for George W. Bush.
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Frequently asked questions
88% of Congress identifies as Christian, compared to 65% of the general public.
There are 148 Catholics in the 118th Congress, making up about 28% of the members of Congress.
Congress is more heavily Protestant and Catholic than the US adult population.
John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden were the only US presidents raised in Roman Catholic families.
Yes, there are non-Christian members of Congress, including Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist representatives.
