Sunday, December 27, 2009
Mark Begich (D-Alaska), the only senator with out a college degree
To become a U.S. senator a person must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen for nine years and a resident of the state they want to represent. House members must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for seven years and a resident of their state. But in neither case do they have to be a college graduate, which is a good thing for 5% of all members of Congress.
Currently, there are 27 representatives and one senator who do not have a college degree. Some of those identified by the Scripps Howard News Service as serving without a degree are Representatives Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Steve King (R-IA) and Doc Hastings (R-WA). The lone senator is Mark Begich of Alaska.
Thirty years ago, the number of non-college-graduates in Congress was much higher. In the 96th Congress (1979-1981), there were 48 representatives and seven senators without degrees. Currently, a majority of senators—57 of 100—have law degrees.
Ten U.S. presidents did not graduate from college, most notably George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The most recent non-graduate was Harry S. Truman.
-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky
5 Percent in Congress Lack College Degree (by Justin Anthony Monarez, Scripps Howard News Service)
Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile (by Mildred Amer and Jennifer E. Manning, Congressional Research Service) (pdf)
Comments