The shocking image of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s return to Congress needing a walker sparked widespread debate about aging leadership — and one social media user labeled the institution a “nursing home” in a post that quickly went viral.
After the 2024 election, the average age of Congress members increased to 58.9 years – 79 days older than the previous session.
Career politician Pelosi, 84, appeared on the House floor Monday during the joint session to certify the 2024 presidential election results, forced to use a walker following her December hip replacement surgery. The longtime California Democrat was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery after a fall during a congressional trip to Luxembourg on December 13.
“Congress really has become a nursing home,” wrote the popular Libs of TikTok account after images of Pelosi using the walker circulated online. Another responded simply, “TERM. LIMITS. That’s what Americans demand.”
Take a look —
TERM. LIMITS.
That’s what Americans demand.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 6, 2025
Congressional records show five lawmakers that are over 84 years old were sworn into Congress for the latest session. Rep. Eleanor Norton is the oldest at 87, followed by Rep. Hal Rogers, also 87. Rep. Maxine Waters is 86, while Rep. Steny Hoyer is 85. Pelosi ranks fifth at 84.
The age debate intensified after Republican Rep. Kay Granger, 81, was recently found in a $4,000-per-month memory care facility. Granger had been missing from Congress for six months after she was discovered wandering lost in her neighborhood; she did not resign her seat.
Before her surgery, Pelosi influenced a recent committee assignment favoring 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, who is battling esophageal cancer, over 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a ranking position on the House Oversight Committee.
To serve in Congress, House members must be at least 25 years old, while senators must be over 30. The standard U.S. retirement age is 65. Pelosi herself advocated for term limits in 2023… for the Supreme Court, when she argued they would help hold justices “to account.”
The discussion comes as 78-year-old President-elect Donald Trump prepares to become the oldest person elected president, following 82-year-old President Joe Biden’s term.
Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for 37 years.
She made her first post-surgery appearance Friday, requiring assistance from two aides, before returning Monday with her walker, wearing a green blazer as she greeted fellow lawmakers during the certification session.