List of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service
This list of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service includes representatives and senators who have served for at least 36 years, in the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, or both. In cases where there is a tie in time, the following criteria will sort people higher:
- Achieved time uninterrupted (for total tenure ranks)
- Achieved time first
- Senators over representatives (for Senate and House lists)
- Senate and House seniority
Key
[edit]In green
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Currently serving |
S
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Served in the U.S. Senate (for combined categories) |
H
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Served in the U.S. House (for combined categories) |
I
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Interruptions in service (for total tenure categories) |
Combined U.S. Senate and U.S. House time
[edit]Total tenure | Uninterrupted | Name | Party affiliation | State | Reason for leaving | Lifespan | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 59 years, 21 days | 1 | 59 years, 21 days | John Dingell (H) | Democratic | Michigan | Retired | 1926–2019 |
2 | 57 years, 176 days | 2 | 57 years, 176 days | Robert Byrd (S, H) | Democratic | West Virginia | Died | 1917–2010 |
3 | 56 years, 319 days | 3 | 56 years, 319 days | Carl Hayden (S, H) | Democratic | Arizona | Retired | 1877–1972 |
4 | 53 years, 118 days | 4 | 53 years, 118 days | Daniel Inouye (S, H) | Democratic | Hawaii | Died | 1924–2012 |
5 | 53 years, 60 days | 5 | 53 years, 60 days | Jamie Whitten (H) | Democratic | Mississippi | Retired | 1910–1995 |
6 | 52 years, 336 days | 6 | 52 years, 336 days | John Conyers (H) | Democratic | Michigan | Resigned | 1929–2019 |
7 | 50 years, 61 days | 7 | 50 years, 61 days | Carl Vinson (H) | Democratic | Georgia | Retired | 1883–1981 |
8 | 49 years, 325 days | 8 | 49 years, 325 days | Chuck Grassley (S, H) | Republican | Iowa | 1933–present | |
9 | 49 years, 305 days | 9 | 49 years, 305 days | Emanuel Celler (H) | Democratic | New York | Lost renomination | 1888–1981 |
10 | 49 years, 12 days | 10 | 49 years, 12 days | Don Young (H) | Republican | Alaska | Died | 1933–2022 |
11 | 48 years, 257 days | 11 | 48 years, 257 days | Sam Rayburn (H) | Democratic | Texas | Died | 1882–1961 |
12 | 48 years, 21 days | 12 | 48 years, 21 days | Ed Markey (S, H) | Democratic | Massachusetts | 1946–present | |
13 | 48 years, 0 days | 13 | 48 years, 0 days | Patrick Leahy (S) | Democratic | Vermont | Retired | 1940–present |
14 | 48 years, 0 days | N/A | Sidney R. Yates (H, I) | Democratic | Illinois | Ran for the U.S. Senate in 1962, lost and came back to the House in 1965, retired at end of term in 1999 | 1909–2000 | |
15 | 47 years, 159 days | 16 | 46 years, 57 days | Strom Thurmond (S, I) | Democratic, Republican |
South Carolina | Resigned in 1956 to trigger special election, won special election and returned to the Senate, retired at end of term in 2003 | 1902–2003 |
16 | 47 years, 3 days | 14 | 47 years, 3 days | Wright Patman (H) | Democratic | Texas | Died | 1893–1976 |
17 | 46 years, 292 days | 15 | 46 years, 292 days | Ted Kennedy (S) | Democratic | Massachusetts | Died | 1932–2009 |
18 | 46 years, 0 days | 17 | 46 years, 0 days | Charles Rangel (H) | Democratic | New York | Retired | 1930–present |
19 | 46 years, 0 days | N/A | Joseph Gurney Cannon (H, I) | Republican | Illinois | Defeated in 1890, came back to the House in 1893, defeated again in 1912, came back to the House in 1915, retired at end of term in 1923 | 1836–1926 | |
20 | 45 years, 247 days | 18 | 45 years, 247 days | Adolph J. Sabath (H) | Democratic | Illinois | Died | 1866–1952 |
21 | 45 years, 142 days | 19 | 45 years, 142 days | J. Lister Hill (S, H) | Democratic | Alabama | Retired | 1894–1984 |
22 | 45 years, 87 days | 20 | 45 years, 87 days | Thad Cochran (S, H) | Republican | Mississippi | Resigned | 1937–2019 |
23 | 44 years, 0 days | 21 | 44 years, 0 days | George H. Mahon (H) | Democratic | Texas | Retired | 1900–1985 |
24 | 44 years, 0 days | 22 | 44 years, 0 days | Warren Magnuson (S, H) | Democratic | Washington | Defeated | 1905–1989 |
25 | 44 years, 0 days | 23 | 44 years, 0 days | Charles E. Bennett (H) | Democratic | Florida | Retired | 1910–2003 |
26 | 44 years, 0 days | 24 | 44 years, 0 days | Richard Shelby (S, H) | Democratic, Republican |
Alabama | Retired | 1934–present |
27 | 43 years, 325 days | 25 | 43 years, 325 days | Ron Wyden (S, H) | Democratic | Oregon | 1949–present | |
28 | 43 years, 325 days | 26 | 43 years, 325 days | Chuck Schumer (S, H) | Democratic | New York | 1950–present | |
29 | 43 years, 325 days | 27 | 43 years, 325 days | Hal Rogers (H) | Republican | Kentucky | 1937–present | |
30 | 43 years, 325 days | 28 | 43 years, 325 days | Chris Smith (H) | Republican | New Jersey | 1953–present | |
31 | 43 years, 299 days | 29 | 43 years, 299 days | Justin S. Morrill (S, H) | Whig, Republican |
Vermont | Died | 1810–1898 |
32 | 43 years, 188 days | 30 | 43 years, 188 days | Steny Hoyer (H) | Democratic | Maryland | 1939–present | |
33 | 43 years, 152 days | N/A | William B. Allison (S, H, I) | Republican | Iowa | Retired from House in 1871, elected to Senate in 1872, died | 1829–1908 | |
34 | 43 years, 110 days | 31 | 43 years, 110 days | Melvin Price (H) | Democratic | Illinois | Died | 1905–1988 |
35 | 42 years, 288 days | 32 | 42 years, 288 days | Bill Young (H) | Republican | Florida | Died | 1930–2013 |
36 | 42 years, 241 days | 33 | 42 years, 241 days | Henry M. Jackson (S, H) | Democratic | Washington | Died | 1912–1983 |
37 | 42 years, 157 days | N/A | Carter Glass (S, H, I) | Democratic | Virginia | Resigned from House in 1918 after being appointed U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, appointed to Senate in 1920, died | 1858–1946 | |
38 | 42 years, 58 days | 34 | 42 years, 58 days | John W. McCormack (H) | Democratic | Massachusetts | Retired | 1891–1980 |
39 | 42 years, 0 days | 35 | 42 years, 0 days | John Sparkman (S, H) | Democratic | Alabama | Retired | 1899–1985 |
40 | 42 years, 0 days | 36 | 42 years, 0 days | Jack Brooks (H) | Democratic | Texas | Defeated | 1922–2012 |
41 | 42 years, 0 days | 37 | 42 years, 0 days | Orrin Hatch (S) | Republican | Utah | Retired | 1934–2022 |
42 | 42 years, 0 days | 38 | 42 years, 0 days | Jim Sensenbrenner (H) | Republican | Wisconsin | Retired | 1943–present |
43 | 41 years, 362 days | 39 | 41 years, 362 days | William R. Poage (H) | Democratic | Texas | Resigned | 1899–1987 |
44 | 41 years, 325 days | 40 | 41 years, 325 days | Dick Durbin (S, H) | Democratic | Illinois | 1944–present | |
45 | 41 years, 325 days | 41 | 41 years, 325 days | Marcy Kaptur (H) | Democratic | Ohio | 1946–present | |
46 | 41 years, 305 days | 42 | 41 years, 305 days | Robert L. Doughton (H) | Democratic | North Carolina | Retired | 1863–1954 |
47 | 41 years, 305 days | 43 | 41 years, 305 days | Joseph W. Martin Jr. (H) | Republican | Massachusetts | Lost renomination | 1884–1968 |
48 | 41 years, 276 days | 44 | 41 years, 276 days | Dave Obey (H) | Democratic | Wisconsin | Retired | 1938–present |
49 | 41 years, 69 days | 45 | 41 years, 69 days | Clarence Cannon (H) | Democratic | Missouri | Died | 1879–1964 |
50 | 41 years, 59 days | 46 | 41 years, 59 days | John C. Stennis (S) | Democratic | Mississippi | Retired | 1901–1995 |
51 | 41 years, 30 days | 47 | 41 years, 30 days | Kenneth McKellar (S, H) | Democratic | Tennessee | Lost renomination | 1869–1957 |
52 | 40 years, 240 days | 48 | 40 years, 240 days | William Natcher (H) | Democratic | Kentucky | Died | 1909–1994 |
53 | 40 years, 207 days | N/A | Claude Pepper (S, H, I) | Democratic | Florida | Lost renomination to Senate in 1950, elected to House in 1962, died | 1900–1989 | |
54 | 40 years, 157 days | 49 | 40 years, 157 days | William P. Frye (S, H) | Republican | Maine | Died | 1830–1911 |
55 | 40 years, 10 days | 50 | 40 years, 10 days | Ted Stevens (S) | Republican | Alaska | Defeated | 1923–2010 |
56 | 40 years, 0 days | 51 | 40 years, 0 days | Carl Curtis (S, H) | Republican | Nebraska | Retired | 1905–2000 |
57 | 40 years, 0 days | 52 | 40 years, 0 days | Peter W. Rodino (H) | Democratic | New Jersey | Retired | 1909–2005 |
58 | 40 years, 0 days | 53 | 40 years, 0 days | Pete Stark (H) | Democratic | California | Defeated | 1931–2020 |
59 | 40 years, 0 days | 54 | 40 years, 0 days | Tom Harkin (S, H) | Democratic | Iowa | Retired | 1939–present |
60 | 40 years, 0 days | 55 | 40 years, 0 days | George Miller (H) | Democratic | California | Retired | 1945–present |
61 | 40 years, 0 days | 56 | 40 years, 0 days | Henry Waxman (H) | Democratic | California | Retired | 1939–present |
62 | 40 years, 0 days | 57 | 40 years, 0 days | Barbara Mikulski (S, H) | Democratic | Maryland | Retired | 1936–present |
63 | 40 years, 0 days | 58 | 40 years, 0 days | Pat Roberts (S, H) | Republican | Kansas | Retired | 1936–present |
64 | 40 years, 0 days | N/A | Eugene Hale (S, H, I) | Republican | Maine | Defeated for reelection to House in 1878, elected to Senate in 1880, retired at end of term in 1911 | 1836–1918 | |
65 | 39 years, 364 days | N/A | Jennings Randolph (S, H, I) | Democratic | West Virginia | Defeated for reelection to House in 1946, won special election to Senate in 1958, retired at end of term in 1985 | 1902–1998 | |
66 | 39 years, 362 days | 59 | 39 years, 362 days | Leslie C. Arends (H) | Republican | Illinois | Retired | 1895–1985 |
67 | 39 years, 352 days | 60 | 39 years, 352 days | Daniel A. Reed (H) | Republican | New York | Died | 1875–1959 |
68 | 39 years, 325 days | 61 | 39 years, 325 days | Mitch McConnell (S) | Republican | Kentucky | 1942–present | |
69 | 39 years, 305 days | 62 | 39 years, 305 days | George W. Norris (S, H) | Republican, Independent |
Nebraska | Defeated | 1861–1944 |
70 | 39 years, 305 days | 63 | 39 years, 305 days | John Taber (H) | Republican | New York | Retired | 1880–1965 |
71 | 39 years, 305 days | 64 | 39 years, 305 days | William M. Colmer (H) | Democratic | Mississippi | Retired | 1890–1980 |
72 | 39 years, 34 days | 65 | 39 years, 34 days | Max Baucus (S, H) | Democratic | Montana | Resigned after being appointed Ambassador to China | 1941–present |
73 | 39 years, 9 days | N/A | Samuel Smith (S, H, I) | Democratic-Republican, Democratic |
Maryland | Retired from Senate in 1815, won special election to House in 1816, retired from Senate at end of term in 1833 | 1752–1839 | |
74 | 38 years, 329 days | N/A | John L. McClellan (S, H, I) | Democratic | Arkansas | Retired from House in 1939, elected to Senate in 1942, died | 1896–1977 | |
75 | 38 years, 145 days | 66 | 38 years, 145 days | Morris Sheppard (S, H) | Democratic | Texas | Died | 1875–1941 |
76 | 38 years, 55 days | 67 | 38 years, 55 days | Fritz Hollings (S) | Democratic | South Carolina | Retired | 1922–2019 |
77 | 38 years, 9 days | 68 | 38 years, 9 days | Richard Russell Jr. (S) | Democratic | Georgia | Died | 1897–1971 |
78 | 38 years, 4 days | N/A | John Sherman (S, H, I) | Opposition, Republican |
Ohio | Resigned from Senate in 1877 after being appointed U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, came back to the Senate in 1881, resigned from Senate in 1897 after being appointed U.S. Secretary of State | 1823–1900 | |
79 | 38 years, 3 days | 69 | 38 years, 3 days | Russell B. Long (S) | Democratic | Louisiana | Retired | 1918–2003 |
80 | 38 years, 0 days | 70 | 38 years, 0 days | Frederick H. Gillett (S, H) | Republican | Massachusetts | Retired | 1851–1935 |
81 | 38 years, 0 days | 71 | 38 years, 0 days | Wilbur Mills (H) | Democratic | Arkansas | Retired | 1909–1992 |
82 | 38 years, 0 days | 72 | 38 years, 0 days | Dante Fascell (H) | Democratic | Florida | Retired | 1917–1998 |
83 | 38 years, 0 days | 73 | 38 years, 0 days | Robert H. Michel (H) | Republican | Illinois | Retired | 1923–2017 |
84 | 38 years, 0 days | 74 | 38 years, 0 days | Nick Rahall (H) | Democratic | West Virginia | Defeated | 1949–present |
85 | 37 years, 325 days | 75 | 37 years, 325 days | Ben Cardin (S, H) | Democratic | Maryland | 1943–present | |
86 | 37 years, 305 days | N/A | Robert Crosser (H, I) | Democratic | Ohio | Lost renomination in 1918, returned to House in 1921, lost renomination in 1954 | 1874–1957 | |
87 | 37 years, 290 days | N/A | Bob Sikes (H, I) | Democratic | Florida | Resigned in 1944 to serve in World War II, returned to the House in 1945, retired at end of term in 1979 | 1906–1994 | |
88 | 37 years, 255 days | 76 | 37 years, 255 days | Nathaniel Macon (S, H) | Anti-Administration, Democratic-Republican |
North Carolina | Resigned | 1757–1837 |
89 | 37 years, 250 days | 77 | 37 years, 250 days | Henry Cabot Lodge (S, H) | Republican | Massachusetts | Died | 1850–1924 |
90 | 37 years, 174 days | 78 | 37 years, 174 days | Nancy Pelosi (H) | Democratic | California | 1940–present | |
91 | 37 years, 74 days | N/A | Alben W. Barkley (S, H, I) | Democratic | Kentucky | Reigned from Senate in 1949 after being elected Vice President of the United States, returned to the Senate in 1955, died | 1877–1956 | |
92 | 37 years, 60 days | 79 | 37 years, 60 days | Henry B. González (H) | Democratic | Texas | Retired | 1916–2000 |
93 | 37 years, 6 days | N/A | Francis E. Warren (S, I) | Republican | Wyoming | Defeated for reelection in 1892, returned to the Senate in 1895, died | 1844–1929 | |
94 | 36 years, 83 days | N/A | James Eastland (S, I) | Democratic | Mississippi | Appointment expired in 1941 after special election, elected in 1942, resigned | 1904–1986 | |
95 | 36 years, 15 days | 80 | 36 years, 15 days | Frank Pallone (H) | Democratic | New Jersey | 1951–present | |
96 | 36 years, 12 days | 81 | 36 years, 12 days | Joe Biden (S) | Democratic | Delaware | Elected Vice President of the United States | 1942–present |
97 | 36 years, 3 days | 82 | 36 years, 3 days | John Murtha (H) | Democratic | Pennsylvania | Died | 1932–2010 |
98 | 36 years, 0 days | 83 | 36 years, 0 days | Henry L. Dawes (S, H) | Republican | Massachusetts | Retired | 1816–1903 |
99 | 36 years, 0 days | 84 | 36 years, 0 days | F. Edward Hébert (H) | Democratic | Louisiana | Retired | 1901–1979 |
100 | 36 years, 0 days | 85 | 36 years, 0 days | Edward Boland (H) | Democratic | Massachusetts | Retired | 1911–2001 |
101 | 36 years, 0 days | 86 | 36 years, 0 days | William Broomfield (H) | Republican | Michigan | Retired | 1922–2019 |
102 | 36 years, 0 days | 87 | 36 years, 0 days | Dan Rostenkowski (H) | Democratic | Illinois | Defeated | 1928–2010 |
103 | 36 years, 0 days | 88 | 36 years, 0 days | Neal Smith (H) | Democratic | Iowa | Defeated | 1920–2021 |
104 | 36 years, 0 days | 89 | 36 years, 0 days | Claiborne Pell (S) | Democratic | Rhode Island | Retired | 1918–2009 |
105 | 36 years, 0 days | 90 | 36 years, 0 days | Joseph M. McDade (H) | Republican | Pennsylvania | Retired | 1931–2017 |
106 | 36 years, 0 days | 91 | 36 years, 0 days | Paul Sarbanes (S, H) | Democratic | Maryland | Retired | 1933–2020 |
107 | 36 years, 0 days | 92 | 36 years, 0 days | Pete Domenici (S) | Republican | New Mexico | Retired | 1932–2017 |
108 | 36 years, 0 days | 93 | 36 years, 0 days | Ralph Regula (H) | Republican | Ohio | Retired | 1924–2017 |
109 | 36 years, 0 days | 94 | 36 years, 0 days | Chris Dodd (S, H) | Democratic | Connecticut | Retired | 1944–present |
110 | 36 years, 0 days | 95 | 36 years, 0 days | Jim Oberstar (H) | Democratic–Farmer–Labor | Minnesota | Defeated | 1934–2014 |
111 | 36 years, 0 days | 96 | 36 years, 0 days | Richard Lugar (S) | Republican | Indiana | Lost renomination | 1932–2019 |
112 | 36 years, 0 days | 97 | 36 years, 0 days | Daniel Akaka (S, H) | Democratic | Hawaii | Retired | 1924–2018 |
113 | 36 years, 0 days | 98 | 36 years, 0 days | Norm Dicks (H) | Democratic | Washington | Retired | 1940–present |
114 | 36 years, 0 days | 99 | 36 years, 0 days | Dale Kildee (H) | Democratic | Michigan | Retired | 1929–2021 |
115 | 36 years, 0 days | 100 | 36 years, 0 days | Carl Levin (S) | Democratic | Michigan | Retired | 1934–2021 |
116 | 36 years, 0 days | 101 | 36 years, 0 days | Sander Levin (H) | Democratic | Michigan | Retired | 1931–present |
117 | 36 years, 0 days | 102 | 36 years, 0 days | Pete Visclosky (H) | Democratic | Indiana | Retired | 1949–present |
118 | 36 years, 0 days | 103 | 36 years, 0 days | Jim Inhofe (S, H) | Republican | Oklahoma | Resigned | 1934–2024 |
119 | 36 years, 0 days | 104 | 36 years, 0 days | Peter DeFazio (H) | Democratic | Oregon | Retired | 1947–present |
120 | 36 years, 0 days | 105 | 36 years, 0 days | Fred Upton (H) | Republican | Michigan | Retired | 1953–present |
121 | 36 years, 0 days | N/A | Shelby M. Cullom (S, H, I) | Republican | Illinois | Lost renomination to House in 1870, elected to Senate in 1882, retired at end of term in 1913 | 1829–1914 |
U.S. Senate time
[edit]The 90th Congress was notable because for a period of 10 days (December 24, 1968 – January 3, 1969), it contained within the Senate, all 10 of what was at one point the top 10 longest-serving senators in history (Byrd, Inouye, Thurmond, Kennedy, Hayden, Stennis, Stevens, Hollings, Russell Jr., and Long) until January 7, 2013, when Patrick Leahy surpassed Russell B. Long as the 10th longest-serving senator in history. This short 10-day period stretched from the appointment of Ted Stevens of Alaska to fill a vacancy, to the retirement of Carl Hayden of Arizona early the next year. The 107th Congress (2001–2003) was the most recent one to contain the top 7 longest serving senators in history (Byrd, Inouye, Leahy, Thurmond, Kennedy, Grassley, and Hatch).
The 99th Congress (1985–1987) and the 100th Congress (1987–1989) were the periods in which most people from this list were serving together (all but Hayden, Russell Jr., Warren, Eastland, Magnuson, and Shelby in the former and all but Hayden, Russell Jr., Long, Warren, Eastland, and Magnuson in the latter).
Total tenure | Uninterrupted | Name | Party affiliation | State | Dates of service | Lifespan | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 51 years, 176 days | 1 | 51 years, 176 days | Robert Byrd | Democratic | West Virginia | January 3, 1959 – June 28, 2010 | 1917–2010 |
2 | 49 years, 349 days | 2 | 49 years, 349 days | Daniel Inouye | Democratic | Hawaii | January 3, 1963 – December 17, 2012 | 1924–2012 |
3 | 48 years, 0 days | 3 | 48 years, 0 days | Patrick Leahy | Democratic | Vermont | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2023 | 1940–present |
4 | 47 years, 159 days | 5 | 46 years, 57 days | Strom Thurmond (I) | Democratic, Republican |
South Carolina | December 24, 1954 – April 7, 1956 November 7, 1956 – January 3, 2003 |
1902–2003 |
5 | 46 years, 292 days | 4 | 46 years, 292 days | Ted Kennedy | Democratic | Massachusetts | November 7, 1962 – August 25, 2009 | 1932–2009 |
6 | 43 years, 325 days | 6 | 43 years, 325 days | Chuck Grassley | Republican | Iowa | Since January 3, 1981 | 1933–present |
7 | 42 years, 0 days | 7 | 42 years, 0 days | Orrin Hatch | Republican | Utah | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 2019 | 1934–2022 |
8 | 41 years, 305 days | 8 | 41 years, 305 days | Carl Hayden | Democratic | Arizona | March 4, 1927 – January 3, 1969 | 1877–1972 |
9 | 41 years, 59 days | 9 | 41 years, 59 days | John C. Stennis | Democratic | Mississippi | November 5, 1947 – January 3, 1989 | 1901–1995 |
10 | 40 years, 10 days | 10 | 40 years, 10 days | Ted Stevens | Republican | Alaska | December 24, 1968 – January 3, 2009 | 1923–2010 |
11 | 39 years, 325 days | 11 | 39 years, 325 days | Mitch McConnell | Republican | Kentucky | Since January 3, 1985 | 1942–present |
12 | 39 years, 94 days | 12 | 39 years, 94 days | Thad Cochran | Republican | Mississippi | December 27, 1978 – April 1, 2018 | 1937–2019 |
13 | 38 years, 55 days | 13 | 38 years, 55 days | Fritz Hollings | Democratic | South Carolina | November 9, 1966 – January 3, 2005 | 1922–2019 |
14 | 38 years, 9 days | 14 | 38 years, 9 days | Richard Russell Jr. | Democratic | Georgia | January 12, 1933 – January 21, 1971 | 1897–1971 |
15 | 38 years, 3 days | 15 | 38 years, 3 days | Russell B. Long | Democratic | Louisiana | December 31, 1948 – January 3, 1987 | 1918–2003 |
16 | 37 years, 6 days | N/A | Francis E. Warren (I) | Republican | Wyoming | November 24, 1890 – March 4, 1893 March 4, 1895 – November 24, 1929 |
1844–1929 | |
17 | 36 years, 83 days | N/A | James Eastland (I) | Democratic | Mississippi | June 30 – September 28, 1941 January 3, 1943 – December 27, 1978 |
1904–1986 | |
18 | 36 years, 20 days | 16 | 36 years, 20 days | Warren Magnuson | Democratic | Washington | December 14, 1944 – January 3, 1981 | 1905–1989 |
19 | 36 years, 12 days | 17 | 36 years, 12 days | Joe Biden | Democratic | Delaware | January 3, 1973 – January 15, 2009 | 1942–present |
20 | 36 years, 0 days | 18 | 36 years, 0 days | Claiborne Pell | Democratic | Rhode Island | January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1997 | 1918–2009 |
21 | 36 years, 0 days | 19 | 36 years, 0 days | Pete Domenici | Republican | New Mexico | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 2009 | 1932–2017 |
22 | 36 years, 0 days | 20 | 36 years, 0 days | Richard Lugar | Republican | Indiana | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 2013 | 1932–2019 |
23 | 36 years, 0 days | 21 | 36 years, 0 days | Carl Levin | Democratic | Michigan | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 2015 | 1934–2021 |
24 | 36 years, 0 days | 22 | 36 years, 0 days | Richard Shelby | Democratic, Republican |
Alabama | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2023 | 1934–present |
U.S. House time
[edit]Total tenure | Uninterrupted | Name | Party affiliation | State | Dates of service | Lifespan | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 59 years, 21 days | 1 | 59 years, 21 days | John Dingell | Democratic | Michigan | December 13, 1955 – January 3, 2015 | 1926–2019 |
2 | 53 years, 60 days | 2 | 53 years, 60 days | Jamie Whitten | Democratic | Mississippi | November 4, 1941 – January 3, 1995 | 1910–1995 |
3 | 52 years, 336 days | 3 | 52 years, 336 days | John Conyers | Democratic | Michigan | January 3, 1965 – December 5, 2017 | 1929–2019 |
4 | 50 years, 61 days | 4 | 50 years, 61 days | Carl Vinson | Democratic | Georgia | November 3, 1914 – January 3, 1965 | 1883–1981 |
5 | 49 years, 305 days | 5 | 49 years, 305 days | Emanuel Celler | Democratic | New York | March 4, 1923 – January 3, 1973 | 1888–1981 |
6 | 49 years, 12 days | 6 | 49 years, 12 days | Don Young | Republican | Alaska | March 6, 1973 – March 18, 2022 | 1933–2022 |
7 | 48 years, 257 days | 7 | 48 years, 257 days | Sam Rayburn | Democratic | Texas | March 4, 1913 – November 16, 1961 | 1882–1961 |
8 | 48 years, 0 days | N/A | Sidney R. Yates (I) | Democratic | Illinois | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1963 January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1999 |
1909–2000 | |
9 | 47 years, 3 days | 8 | 47 years, 3 days | Wright Patman | Democratic | Texas | March 4, 1929 – March 7, 1976 | 1893–1976 |
10 | 46 years, 0 days | 9 | 46 years, 0 days | Charles Rangel | Democratic | New York | January 3, 1971 – January 3, 2017 | 1930–present |
11 | 46 years, 0 days | N/A | Joseph Gurney Cannon (I) | Republican | Illinois | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1891 March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1913 March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923 |
1836–1926 | |
12 | 45 years, 247 days | 10 | 45 years, 247 days | Adolph J. Sabath | Democratic | Illinois | March 4, 1907 – November 6, 1952 | 1866–1952 |
13 | 44 years, 0 days | 11 | 44 years, 0 days | George H. Mahon | Democratic | Texas | January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1979 | 1900–1985 |
14 | 44 years, 0 days | 12 | 44 years, 0 days | Charles E. Bennett | Democratic | Florida | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1993 | 1910–2003 |
15 | 43 years, 325 days | 13 | 43 years, 325 days | Hal Rogers | Republican | Kentucky | Since January 3, 1981 | 1937–present |
16 | 43 years, 325 days | 14 | 43 years, 325 days | Chris Smith | Republican | New Jersey | Since January 3, 1981 | 1953–present |
17 | 43 years, 188 days | 15 | 43 years, 188 days | Steny Hoyer | Democratic | Maryland | Since May 19, 1981 | 1939–present |
18 | 43 years, 110 days | 16 | 43 years, 110 days | Melvin Price | Democratic | Illinois | January 3, 1945 – April 22, 1988 | 1905–1988 |
19 | 42 years, 288 days | 17 | 42 years, 288 days | Bill Young | Republican | Florida | January 3, 1971 – October 18, 2013 | 1930–2013 |
20 | 42 years, 58 days | 18 | 42 years, 58 days | John W. McCormack | Democratic | Massachusetts | November 6, 1928 – January 3, 1971 | 1891–1980 |
21 | 42 years, 0 days | 19 | 42 years, 0 days | Jack Brooks | Democratic | Texas | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1995 | 1922–2012 |
22 | 42 years, 0 days | 20 | 42 years, 0 days | Jim Sensenbrenner | Republican | Wisconsin | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 2021 | 1943–present |
23 | 41 years, 362 days | 21 | 41 years, 362 days | William R. Poage | Democratic | Texas | January 3, 1937 – December 31, 1978 | 1899–1987 |
24 | 41 years, 325 days | 22 | 41 years, 325 days | Marcy Kaptur | Democratic | Ohio | Since January 3, 1983 | 1946–present |
25 | 41 years, 305 days | 23 | 41 years, 305 days | Robert L. Doughton | Democratic | North Carolina | March 4, 1911 – January 3, 1953 | 1863–1954 |
26 | 41 years, 305 days | 24 | 41 years, 305 days | Joseph W. Martin Jr. | Republican | Massachusetts | March 4, 1925 – January 3, 1967 | 1884–1968 |
27 | 41 years, 276 days | 25 | 41 years, 276 days | Dave Obey | Democratic | Wisconsin | April 1, 1969 – January 3, 2011 | 1938–present |
28 | 41 years, 69 days | 26 | 41 years, 69 days | Clarence Cannon | Democratic | Missouri | March 4, 1923 – May 12, 1964 | 1879–1964 |
29 | 40 years, 240 days | 27 | 40 years, 240 days | William Natcher | Democratic | Kentucky | August 1, 1953 – March 29, 1994 | 1909–1994 |
30 | 40 years, 0 days | 28 | 40 years, 0 days | Peter W. Rodino | Democratic | New Jersey | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1989 | 1909–2005 |
31 | 40 years, 0 days | 29 | 40 years, 0 days | Pete Stark | Democratic | California | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 2013 | 1931–2020 |
32 | 40 years, 0 days | 30 | 40 years, 0 days | George Miller | Democratic | California | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2015 | 1945–present |
33 | 40 years, 0 days | 31 | 40 years, 0 days | Henry Waxman | Democratic | California | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2015 | 1939–present |
34 | 39 years, 362 days | 32 | 39 years, 362 days | Leslie C. Arends | Republican | Illinois | January 3, 1935 – December 31, 1974 | 1895–1985 |
35 | 39 years, 352 days | 33 | 39 years, 352 days | Daniel A. Reed | Republican | New York | March 4, 1919 – February 19, 1959 | 1875–1959 |
36 | 39 years, 305 days | 34 | 39 years, 305 days | John Taber | Republican | New York | March 4, 1923 – January 3, 1963 | 1880–1965 |
37 | 39 years, 305 days | 35 | 39 years, 305 days | William M. Colmer | Democratic | Mississippi | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1973 | 1890–1980 |
38 | 38 years, 0 days | 36 | 38 years, 0 days | Wilbur Mills | Democratic | Arkansas | January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1977 | 1909–1992 |
39 | 38 years, 0 days | 37 | 38 years, 0 days | Dante Fascell | Democratic | Florida | January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1993 | 1917–1998 |
40 | 38 years, 0 days | 38 | 38 years, 0 days | Robert H. Michel | Republican | Illinois | January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1995 | 1923–2017 |
41 | 38 years, 0 days | 39 | 38 years, 0 days | Nick Rahall | Democratic | West Virginia | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 2015 | 1949–present |
42 | 37 years, 305 days | N/A | Robert Crosser (I) | Democratic | Ohio | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1919 March 4, 1923 – January 3, 1955 |
1874–1957 | |
43 | 37 years, 290 days | N/A | Bob Sikes (I) | Democratic | Florida | January 3, 1941 – October 19, 1944 January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1979 |
1906–1994 | |
44 | 37 years, 174 days | 40 | 37 years, 174 days | Nancy Pelosi | Democratic | California | Since June 2, 1987 | 1940–present |
45 | 37 years, 60 days | 41 | 37 years, 60 days | Henry B. González | Democratic | Texas | November 4, 1961 – January 3, 1999 | 1916–2000 |
46 | 36 years, 256 days | 42 | 36 years, 256 days | Ed Markey | Democratic | Massachusetts | November 2, 1976 – July 15, 2013 | 1946–present |
47 | 36 years, 15 days | 43 | 36 years, 15 days | Frank Pallone | Democratic | New Jersey | Since November 8, 1988 | 1951–present |
48 | 36 years, 3 days | 44 | 36 years, 3 days | John Murtha | Democratic | Pennsylvania | February 5, 1974 – February 8, 2010 | 1932–2010 |
49 | 36 years, 0 days | 45 | 36 years, 0 days | F. Edward Hébert | Democratic | Louisiana | January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1977 | 1901–1979 |
50 | 36 years, 0 days | 46 | 36 years, 0 days | Edward Boland | Democratic | Massachusetts | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1989 | 1911–2001 |
51 | 36 years, 0 days | 47 | 36 years, 0 days | William Broomfield | Republican | Michigan | January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1993 | 1922–2019 |
52 | 36 years, 0 days | 48 | 36 years, 0 days | Dan Rostenkowski | Democratic | Illinois | January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1995 | 1928–2010 |
53 | 36 years, 0 days | 49 | 36 years, 0 days | Neal Smith | Democratic | Iowa | January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1995 | 1920–2021 |
54 | 36 years, 0 days | 50 | 36 years, 0 days | Joseph M. McDade | Republican | Pennsylvania | January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1999 | 1931–2017 |
55 | 36 years, 0 days | 51 | 36 years, 0 days | Ralph Regula | Republican | Ohio | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 2009 | 1924–2017 |
56 | 36 years, 0 days | 52 | 36 years, 0 days | Jim Oberstar | Democratic–Farmer–Labor | Minnesota | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2011 | 1934–2014 |
57 | 36 years, 0 days | 53 | 36 years, 0 days | Norm Dicks | Democratic | Washington | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 2013 | 1940–present |
58 | 36 years, 0 days | 54 | 36 years, 0 days | Dale Kildee | Democratic | Michigan | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 2013 | 1929–2021 |
59 | 36 years, 0 days | 55 | 36 years, 0 days | Sander Levin | Democratic | Michigan | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2019 | 1931–present |
60 | 36 years, 0 days | 56 | 36 years, 0 days | Pete Visclosky | Democratic | Indiana | January 3, 1985 – January 3, 2021 | 1949–present |
61 | 36 years, 0 days | 57 | 36 years, 0 days | Peter DeFazio | Democratic | Oregon | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2023 | 1947–present |
62 | 36 years, 0 days | 58 | 36 years, 0 days | Fred Upton | Republican | Michigan | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2023 | 1953–present |
See also
[edit]- List of members of the United States Congress by brevity of service
- List of historical longest-serving members of the United States Congress