At 93, Sen. Chuck Grassley Remains Active as Age Concerns Grow in Congress

A brown‑frosted, white‑piped, red‑lettered "Happy Birthday Senator Grassley" Dairy Queen ice cream cake sat in the U.S. Capitol as Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley marked his 93rd birthday from his Washington office and the Senate chambers.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington, DC. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

The senator began his day with a two‑mile walk, a routine his office says he keeps every morning before work. Grassley, who once ran regularly, says he stopped running about four years ago.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

"Take a look at me. Don't I look pretty good?" Grassley told USA TODAY when asked about his age and the remainder of his term. He added jokingly to the paper's 23‑year‑old reporter, "I'm 93 years old. I got great grandchildren older than you."

Still Carrying Out Duties

Grassley's milestone birthday comes amid rising public concern about the health and age of elected officials. Despite the debate, his office says he continues to perform his Senate duties: chairing committee hearings, voting on legislation and meeting constituents in Washington and Iowa.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the press as he arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

On Sept. 16 — the day before his 93rd birthday — Grassley chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, voted in the Agriculture Committee on the Farm Bill, held calls with Iowa reporters, met with visiting constituents and went to the Senate floor to vote, his office said.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

Context And Public Opinion

A May 2026 NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found broad support for a maximum age limit for members of Congress, with roughly eight in 10 Americans in favor and strong backing across party lines. The survey reported 78% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans and 79% of independents supporting an age cap.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the press as he arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

By the numbers, the 119th Congress lists an average senator age of 63.9 and an average House member age of 57.9, while the U.S. Census Bureau reports a national median age of 39.4 — a reminder that congressional demographics skew older than the general population.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the press as he arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

Senior Colleagues And Recent Health Questions

Several long‑serving lawmakers are also advanced in years: Rep. Hal Rogers (R‑Ky.) is 88, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is 89, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is 84. McConnell returned to Capitol Hill the week of Grassley's birthday after an extended absence that prompted public questions about his health; he used a wheelchair during an appearance on Sept. 14, 2026, and has resumed voting.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

Personal Touches And Public Persona

Colleagues note Grassley's distinctive presence on X (formerly Twitter), where he uses shorthand and playful substitutions (like "2" for "to") while posting a mix of official updates and personal observations. Staff and visitors also recall his longtime office vacuum, affectionately nicknamed "Beth," and his well‑known fondness for Dairy Queen blizzards.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the press as he arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 14, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is McConnell’s first public appearance in over 90 days after he recovered from a fall and illness.(Finn Gomez, Getty Images)

On his birthday he posted on X, "Gr8ful for my fellow Senator for Iowa who brings me my favorite Dairy Queen cake each yr," sharing a photo of himself in a Dairy Queen hoodie with Sen. Joni Ernst holding the cake.

Tenure And The Road Ahead

Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981, giving the Iowa Republican more than 44 years in office. He chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the sixth‑longest‑serving senator, and — as the most senior member of the majority party — serves as president pro tempore of the Senate, placing him third in the presidential line of succession.

The senator has not said whether he will seek re‑election in 2028. If he runs and wins, he would be 95 at the start of that term and 101 if he completed it, potentially surpassing former Sen. Strom Thurmond as the oldest person to leave the Senate.

Whether the 21st century will see another centenarian senator remains uncertain, but the debate over age, fitness and representation in Washington is unlikely to fade anytime soon.