53 United Methodists serving new US Congress

WASHINGTON – Fifty-three United Methodists are serving in the 111^th Congress, a decline of eight from the last three Congresses, but the denomination still ranks third in total congressional membership.

While there are seven newly-elected United Methodists in the 111^th Congress, compared to five in the 110^th Congress, an unusual number of Methodist members retired, died in office or were defeated in re-election, resulting in the overall reduction.

The new Congress convened on Jan 6. Unlike 2006, when all newly-elected United Methodists were Democrats, five of this year’s new United Methodist members are Republicans while two are Democrats.

Nine United Methodists are serving in the Senate, a decline of four from the previous Congress. The most prominent of them is former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of New York, who is the Secretary of State in the Obama administration.

Congressional United Methodists are split almost equally between the two parties, with 27 Democrats and 26 Republicans. – United Methodist News Service.