Ethan Walker
Religion and politics are often intertwined in the United States, and this is particularly true when it comes to Catholicism and the Republican Party. Catholics have been a prominent force in the Republican Party for decades, with the religion of senators and representatives coming under scrutiny. In 1928, Al Smith became the first Roman Catholic to gain a major party's nomination for president, and in 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts vied to become the nation's first Catholic president. Today, the number of Catholic Republicans in the Senate is significant, with sources giving figures of 11, 55, or 56 Catholic Republicans in the Senate, out of 22 or 24 Catholic senators overall. This represents around a quarter to a third of the Senate, with the majority of Catholic senators being Democrats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | As of January 2019 |
| Total Number of Senators | 100 |
| Number of Catholic Senators | 22 |
| Number of Catholic Republican Senators | 64 |
| Percentage of Catholic Republican Senators | 26% |
| Number of Catholic Democrat Senators | 99 |
| Percentage of Catholic Democrat Senators | 35% |
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What You'll Learn
26% of Republicans identify as Catholic
While the majority of Catholics in Congress are Democrats, a significant number of Republicans also identify as Catholic. In fact, according to one source, 26% of Republicans in Congress are Catholic. This equates to 55 or 56 Catholic Republicans in the House and 11 in the Senate. This is a notable proportion, especially when compared to the religious makeup of the general population.
The religious composition of Congress has shifted over time. In 1961, for instance, Protestants made up 87% of Congress, while Catholics comprised only 19%. Today, the percentage of Catholics in Congress is far higher, at around 31% according to some sources, and 28% according to others. This is still higher than the percentage of Catholics in the general population, which is estimated to be around 19% to 20%.
The religious affiliation of members of Congress can have political implications. For example, the immigration debate has opened up a divide between Catholic Republicans and hardliners within the party who advocate for restrictions. This is significant because about 30% of the Roman Catholic population is Hispanic, and this percentage is steadily rising. Catholic clergy, such as Cardinal Raymond Burke, have actively supported immigration reform and welcomed undocumented workers, citing religious teachings.
Additionally, Catholic lawmakers in Congress vary in their policy positions. For example, New Jersey Republican Christopher H. Smith is known for his strict stance against abortion, while New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a progressive who cites her Catholic faith in her advocacy for social justice. These differences highlight the diversity of viewpoints within the Catholic community.
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22 senators are Catholic
The United States Senate is dominated by Christian senators, with 86% identifying as Christian, compared to 67% of the general population. Within this Christian majority, 22 out of 100 senators are Catholic, which is a higher proportion than in the general population. This means that around a quarter of the Senate is Catholic.
The Catholic Church has had a significant influence on American politics, with senators' affiliations impacting their stances on various issues. For example, Catholic senators are known for their diverse views, ranging from strict opposition to abortion to progressive advocacy for social justice. The immigration debate has also highlighted differences within the Catholic Church, with some Catholic senators aligning with Republican hardliners who favour restrictions, while others support more lenient immigration policies in line with Pope John Paul II's teachings.
The number of Catholic senators has fluctuated over time, and the percentage of Catholics in the Senate has increased compared to previous years. In the 87th Congress in 1961, Catholics made up only 19% of the legislative body. The increase in Catholic representation in the Senate is notable, especially when compared to the underrepresentation of religiously unaffiliated individuals, who make up 22% of the general public but only 0.2% of the 115th Congress.
While the number of Catholic senators has grown, the religious diversity within the Republican Party in the Senate remains limited. Almost all Republican senators are Christian, with 99.2% identifying as such. In contrast, the Democratic Party in the Senate demonstrates slightly more diversity, with 78.3% identifying as Christian, while the remaining members belong to other religious groups or have no religious affiliation.
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55-56 Catholic Republicans in the House
According to America Magazine, there were 55 Catholic Republicans in the House of Representatives in 2019. This figure was up from 51 in the previous Congress. Catholic Republicans made up just over a quarter (26%) of the party in Congress.
In the Senate, there were 11 Catholic Republicans, although this number may change depending on who succeeds JD Vance, a Catholic who left the Senate after being elected vice president.
Catholics are well represented in House leadership positions, including three of the top five Republicans in the chamber: Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, and Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan.
The Catholic representation in the 119th Congress grew slightly from the previous Congress to just over 28% of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to a report from the Pew Research Center. This is far higher than the percentage of Catholics in the US population, which is around 20%.
Overall, there are 141 Catholics in the House, or 32% of the chamber. Twenty-two of the 100 US senators are Catholic.
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11-13 Catholic Republicans in the Senate
Catholic Republicans in the Senate
Catholics are overrepresented in Congress compared to the general population, and they make up a significant proportion of both the Republican and Democratic parties. According to a 2019 report, 26% of Republicans identify as Catholic, and in 2021, they held 27% of Republican seats in Congress.
In 2019, there were 55 Catholic Republicans in the House and 11 in the Senate. More recently, in 2021, it was reported that there were 56 Catholic Republicans in the House and 13 in the Senate. These numbers indicate a slight increase in Catholic representation in Congress over time.
While the number of Protestants in Congress has decreased, they still make up a significant majority, with 67% of Republicans in the 2019 Congress identifying as Protestant. The breakdown between Protestants and Catholics is more evenly divided among Democrats, with 42% identifying as Protestant and 37% as Catholic.
It is worth noting that the religious demographics of Catholic lawmakers are changing. Traditionally, they were predominantly descendants of the European Catholic diaspora. However, Hispanic Catholic lawmakers are increasingly joining Congress, replacing white Catholic lawmakers. This shift reflects the changing religious landscape in the United States, where immigration has led to a growing number of Catholic adherents from diverse backgrounds.
In summary, there were 11-13 Catholic Republicans in the Senate according to reports from 2019 and 2021, respectively. This number represents a significant proportion of the Republican Party in Congress and contributes to the overall religious diversity within the legislative body.
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Catholics are overrepresented in Congress
Catholics are indeed overrepresented in Congress. According to Pew Research Center, about 20% of adults in the United States consider themselves Catholic, while Catholics make up 31% of Congress. This is a notable increase from 1961, when Catholics made up only 19% of Congress. The percentage of Catholics in Congress has remained stable over the last few decades, hovering around 31%.
In terms of numbers, there are 141 Catholics in the House, or 32% of the chamber, and 22 out of 100 US senators are Catholic. This means that Catholics make up majorities of congressional delegations from six states: Alaska, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. They also make up half of the delegations from Iowa, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
The presence of Catholics in Congress is not limited to a particular party, with Catholic Democrats and Republicans being almost equal in previous Congresses. However, in the 116th Congress, there was a larger number of Catholic Democrats (86) compared to Catholic Republicans (55). Overall, two-thirds (67%) of Republicans in Congress are Protestant, while 27% are Catholic. The breakdown between Protestants and Catholics is more evenly divided among Democrats, with 42% being Protestant and 37% Catholic.
The religious diversity of Congress is largely relegated to one party, with Republican members of the Senate and House being 99.2% Christian and 0.8% Jewish. Democrats in Congress are also predominantly Christian (78.3%), but they have more religious diversity, with all 29 non-Christian and non-Jewish members belonging to the Democratic Party.
Catholics in Congress represent a broad worldview, ranging from those known for their strict stances against abortion to progressives who cite their faith in social justice causes. The rise in Catholic representation in Congress can be attributed to the increasing number of Hispanic Catholic lawmakers, who are succeeding white Catholic lawmakers.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, there are 11 Catholic Republican senators.
Approximately 26% to 27% of Republicans in the Senate identify as Catholic.
There are more Catholic Democrat senators than Catholic Republican senators. As of 2025, there are 13 Catholic Democrat senators.
The number of Catholic senators has been increasing. In 2019, there were 55 Catholic Republicans and 86 Catholic Democrats in the Senate.
New Jersey senator Christopher H. Smith is known for his strict stance against abortion.
