Seniority in the United States House of Representatives

This is a complete list of current members of the United States House of Representatives based on seniority. For the most part, representatives are ranked by the beginning of their terms in office. Representatives whose terms begin the same day are ranked alphabetically by last name.^[a]

How seniority is calculated

Members of the House are arranged by the number of terms they have served, before being arranged by the beginning date of their most recent continuous service. Where members have served the same number of terms and have the same date of service, they are arranged alphabetically by last name.^[1]

Representatives who return to the House after having previously served in the House may be credited with service equal to one less than the number of terms they served. For example, Rep. Steve Chabot had previously served seven terms, from 1995 to 2009, when he was once again elected in 2010. Instead of holding seniority with others whose terms began January 3, 2011, he was credited with six terms, and holds seniority above all representatives whose terms began on or after January 3, 1999. When a representative has served a prior term of fewer than two terms (i.e., prior term minus one equals less than one), they are ranked above all others whose service begins on the same day.^{[citation needed]}

Benefits of seniority

Committee leadership in the House is often associated with seniority, especially in the Democratic Caucus. The Republican leadership, in comparison with the Democratic Party, prioritizes voting records and campaign fundraising over seniority for committee leadership.^[2] Party leadership in the House is not strictly associated with seniority.

Seniority also affects access to more desirable office space in the House Office Buildings.

The higher the levels you are in seniority, the more likely you get desirable committee assignments, or leadership posts like the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee or Republican Policy Committee. Normally, the more senior you are in a certain committee, the more likely you will be chosen to be the committee chair, or ranking member should your caucus be in the minority. However, in some more powerful and exclusive committees like House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Appropriations, you may not be chosen as the chair even if you are the most senior member.^{[citation needed]}

Vacancies

• Louisiana 5: Luke Letlow died December 29, 2020, of COVID-19 before assuming office. The special election will be held on March 20, 2021.

• New York 22: Seat is vacant pending certification of the final election results.

• Louisiana 2: Cedric Richmond resigned January 15, 2021, to become the Director of the Office of Public Engagement in the Biden Administration. The special election will be held on March 20, 2021.

Expected vacancies

• New Mexico 1: Deb Haaland expected to resign to join the Biden Administration as the Secretary of Interior, once confirmed by the Senate.
• Ohio 11: Marcia Fudge expected to resign to join the Biden Administration as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, once confirmed by the Senate.

Current seniority list

Delegates

See also

• Current members of the United States House of Representatives
• List of United States congressional districts
• List of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service
• Seniority in the United States Senate

Other Languages

Copyright

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