At 93, Chuck Grassley still doing the job amid age concerns in Congress
Iowa's senior senator, Chuck Grassley, celebrated his 93rd birthday on Thursday with his usual routine: a two-mile morning walk, a Dairy Queen cake in the U.S. Capitol, and a full day of Senate work. The Republican, who has served Iowa since 1981, shows no signs of slowing down, even as Americans increasingly question whether there should be an age limit for elected officials.
Grassley, the oldest member of Congress, marked the occasion from his Washington, D.C., office and voting chambers. A brown-frosted cake with white piping and red lettering reading “Happy Birthday Senator Grassley” sat in the Capitol, a tradition from his Iowa colleague, Sen. Joni Ernst.
“Take a look at me. Don't I look pretty good?” Grassley told USA TODAY when asked about his age. He added with a laugh, “I'm 93 years old. I got great grandchildren older than you,” in a joking response to a 23-year-old reporter.
Grassley's daily routine and work ethic remain strong
Grassley's office says he walks two miles every morning before work, a habit he has kept for years. He used to be a runner but gave that up in the last four years. His work schedule on the day before his birthday was typical: chairing a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, voting on the Farm Bill in the Agriculture Committee, holding press calls with Iowa journalists, meeting with constituents, and heading to the Senate floor to vote.
“When he's home in Iowa he travels the state holding Q&As with Iowans and keeps his followers updated on the farm's progress,” a spokesperson from his office told USA TODAY.
Grassley is also known for his quirky X (formerly Twitter) posts, heavy abbreviations, and updates on his personal life, football, and official business. He recently mourned the loss of his trusty office vacuum, “Beth,” which was believed to have been in Congress for over 40 years.
Age concerns in Congress: A growing national debate
Grassley's birthday comes amid rising concerns about the health and mental acuity of elected officials. Eight in 10 Americans support a maximum age limit for members of Congress, according to a May 2026 NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. The support spans party lines: 78% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans, and 79% of independents favor such a limit.
The average age of senators in the current 119th Congress is 63.9, while the average age of House members is 57.9, according to Congress data. The median American age is 39.4 years, per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Other near-90-year-old members include Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers, 88, and Washington, D.C., Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 89. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, 84, returned to Congress this week after a hiatus that sparked speculation about his health. McConnell was seen using a wheelchair and has been voting.
Grassley's legacy and future plans
Grassley has served as a U.S. senator from Iowa since 1981, making him the sixth-longest-serving senator in history. He chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and, as the most senior member of the majority party, serves as president pro tempore of the Senate, placing him third in the line of succession for the presidency.
The senator has not said whether he will run for reelection in 2028. If he did, he would be 95 at the time of the election and could complete his term at 101, potentially surpassing the oldest-ever senator, Strom Thurmond, who left office in 2003 at age 100.
For now, Grassley remains focused on his work. “Gr8ful for my fellow Senator for Iowa who brings me my favorite Dairy Queen cake each yr,” he posted on X, along with a photo of him in a Dairy Queen hoodie holding the cake with Ernst.
As the debate over age limits continues, Grassley's example shows that age alone does not define a senator's ability to serve. His constituents in Iowa will likely watch closely to see what he decides about 2028.