Women now hold 28% of voting seats in the 119th U.S. Congress, maintaining their share from the previous session. This marks a 44% increase from a decade ago. At the start of the new session, 150 women were seated—one more than in the 118th Congress.
This total remains slightly below the record of 152 women in Congress, set after special elections in 2024, says a recent study from Pew Research Centre. Despite the increase, women still hold fewer seats than their 51% share of the adult U.S. population. Currently, 125 women serve in the House (29% of representatives) and 25 in the Senate (25% of senators).
MOST INCUMBENT WOMEN LAWMAKERS RETAINED THEIR SEATS
Of the women seeking reelection in 2024, 104 of 110 representatives and all nine senators won their races. Among them is Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the longest-serving woman in congressional history. She has been in the House since 1983, marking 42 years of service.
TWENTY-FOUR WOMEN JOIN CONGRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME
The 119th Congress welcomed 24 new women: three senators and 21 representatives. Among them, three were previously elected in special elections. The breakdown includes 21 Democrats and three Republicans.
Notable Firsts Among New Members
- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester: First woman and first Black senator from Delaware.
- Sen. Angela Alsobrooks: One of two Black women serving in the Senate simultaneously.
- Rep. Julie Fedorchak: First woman elected to the House from North Dakota.
- Rep. Sarah McBride: First openly transgender member of Congress.
As of 2025, all 50 states have elected at least one woman to Congress at some point. However, 16 states have never elected a woman senator, and Mississippi has never sent a woman to the House.
WOMEN IN CONGRESS: PARTY REPRESENTATION
Women in Congress are overwhelmingly Democrats. Of the 150 women serving, 110 are Democrats and 40 are Republicans. Women make up 42% of congressional Democrats and just 15% of congressional Republicans.
Breakdown by Party and Chamber
- House: 44% of Democrats are women; 14% of Republicans are women.
- Senate: 34% of Democrats are women; 17% of Republicans are women.
Historically, Republican women outnumbered Democratic women in Congress before the 1930s. But since the 1970s, the Democratic Party has had a growing majority of female lawmakers. The trend solidified in 1992, often called the “Year of the Woman,” when a record number of women were elected.
RISE OF WOMEN IN CONGRESS OVER TIME
Women have been in Congress for over a century. Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first, elected to the House in 1916. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, expanded voting rights to women. That same year, Alice Mary Robertson became the first woman to unseat an incumbent congressman.
In 1922, Rebecca Latimer Felton was the first woman to serve in the Senate, though only for a day. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that women gained substantial representation. Today, over 75% of all women who have ever served in Congress were elected after 1992.
‘WIDOW’S SUCCESSION’: A RARE PATH TO CONGRESS
For much of the 20th century, a common way for women to enter Congress was by replacing deceased husbands or fathers. From 1916 to 1980, 34 women won elections to seats previously held by their late spouses.
Though rare today, it still happens. Two current House members, Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Julia Letlow (R-LA), entered Congress after their husbands passed away. Matsui has served since 2005, while Letlow took office in 2021.
THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION
The 119th Congress marks progress for women in government, but disparities remain. Women still hold fewer seats than men and remain underrepresented compared to their population share. The push for gender equality in politics continues as more women run for office and shatter historical barriers.Women now hold 28% of voting seats in the 119th U.S. Congress, maintaining their share from the previous session. This marks a 44% increase from a decade ago. At the start of the new session, 150 women were seated—one more than in the 118th Congress.
This total remains slightly below the record of 152 women in Congress. This record was set after special elections in 2024, says a recent study from Pew Research Centre. Despite the increase, women still hold fewer seats than their 51% share of the adult U.S. population. Currently, 125 women serve in the House (29% of representatives) and 25 in the Senate (25% of senators).
MOST INCUMBENT WOMEN LAWMAKERS RETAINED THEIR SEATS
Of the women seeking reelection in 2024, 104 of 110 representatives and all nine senators won their races. Among them is Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the longest-serving woman in congressional history. She has been in the House since 1983, marking 42 years of service.
TWENTY-FOUR WOMEN JOIN CONGRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME
The 119th Congress welcomed 24 new women: three senators and 21 representatives. Among them, three were previously elected in special elections. The breakdown includes 21 Democrats and three Republicans.
Notable Firsts Among New Members
- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester: First woman and first Black senator from Delaware.
- Sen. Angela Alsobrooks: One of two Black women serving in the Senate simultaneously.
- Rep. Julie Fedorchak: First woman elected to the House from North Dakota.
- Rep. Sarah McBride: First openly transgender member of Congress.
As of 2025, all 50 states have elected at least one woman to Congress at some point. Yet, 16 states have never elected a woman senator, and Mississippi has never sent a woman to the House.
WOMEN IN CONGRESS: PARTY REPRESENTATION
Women in Congress are overwhelmingly Democrats. Of the 150 women serving, 110 are Democrats and 40 are Republicans. Women make up 42% of congressional Democrats and just 15% of congressional Republicans.
Breakdown by Party and Chamber
- House: 44% of Democrats are women; 14% of Republicans are women.
- Senate: 34% of Democrats are women; 17% of Republicans are women.
Historically, Republican women outnumbered Democratic women in Congress before the 1930s. But since the 1970s, the Democratic Party has had a growing majority of female lawmakers. The trend solidified in 1992, often called the “Year of the Woman,” when a record number of women were elected.
RISE OF WOMEN IN CONGRESS OVER TIME
Women have been in Congress for over a century. Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first, elected to the House in 1916. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, expanded voting rights to women. That same year, Alice Mary Robertson became the first woman to unseat an incumbent congressman.
In 1922, Rebecca Latimer Felton was the first woman to serve in the Senate, though only for a day. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that women gained substantial representation. Today, over 75% of all women who have ever served in Congress were elected after 1992.
‘WIDOW’S SUCCESSION’: A RARE PATH TO CONGRESS
For much of the 20th century, a common way for women to enter Congress was by replacing deceased husbands or fathers. From 1916 to 1980, 34 women won elections to seats previously held by their late spouses.
Though rare today, it still happens. Two current House members, Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Julia Letlow (R-LA), entered Congress after their husbands passed away. Matsui has served since 2005, while Letlow took office in 2021.
THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION
The 119th Congress marks progress for women in government, but disparities remain. Women still hold fewer seats than men and remain underrepresented compared to their population share. The push for gender equality in politics continues as more women run for office and shatter historical barriers.
