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.

Standards for seniority

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, they are ranked above all others whose service begins on the same day.

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. 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.

Vacancies

Delegates

RankDelegatePartyDistrictSeniority dateNotes
1Eleanor Holmes NortonDJanuary 3, 1991
2Gregorio SablanIJanuary 3, 2009
3Stacey PlaskettDJanuary 3, 2015
4Amata Coleman RadewagenRJanuary 3, 2015
5Jenniffer GonzálezNPP/RJanuary 3, 2017
6Michael San NicolasDJanuary 3, 2019