Simple Civics
Diversity in Congress
12/15/2021 | 1m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Does the demographic makeup of congress match the diversity of the American population?
Congress has become more diverse in recent years, but still is overwhelmingly comprised of male and white members. But, by 2050, fifty percent of the American population will be nonwhite. As America becomes more diverse, should congress do the same?
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Simple Civics is a local public television program presented by WFYI
Simple Civics
Diversity in Congress
12/15/2021 | 1m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Congress has become more diverse in recent years, but still is overwhelmingly comprised of male and white members. But, by 2050, fifty percent of the American population will be nonwhite. As America becomes more diverse, should congress do the same?
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch Simple Civics
Simple Civics is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- The United States is a diverse country.
It's a place where immigrants from around the world have come to live.
And today, the population is more diverse than ever.
By 2050, it's estimated that more than half the population will identify as nonwhite.
So as America grows and changes we have to ask, "Is Congress doing the same?"
(upbeat music) Today's House of Representatives and Senate is the most diverse Congress in history.
About 23% are racial or ethnic minorities, and this percentage has been steadily increasing in the last 20 years.
Yet, compared to the U.S. population, Congress doesn't quite match up.
White Americans account for 77% of voting members in Congress, considerably larger than their 60% share of the U.S. population overall.
And what about gender?
You may have heard the current Congress has a higher percentage of women than ever before.
Between the House and Senate, women occupy about 27% of seats.
And while more women in Congress is groundbreaking, about 50% of the U.S. population identifies as female.
So 27% is a far cry from reflecting the makeup of America.
So what do you think?
Does representation matter?
Does the makeup of Congress need to resemble the makeup of America?
(upbeat music)
New Episode- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
New Episode- News and Public Affairs
Today's top journalists discuss Washington's current political events and public affairs.
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
New Episode
Support for PBS provided by:
Simple Civics is a local public television program presented by WFYI