List of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service


This is a list of United States congresspersons by longevity of service. It includes Representatives and Senators who have served at least 36 years. It is divided up into three categories.
In cases where there is a tie in time, the following criteria will sort people higher:
  1. Achieved time uninterrupted
  2. Achieved time first
  3. Senators over Representatives
  4. Senate and House seniority

    Key

Combined U.S. House and Senate time

Senate time

The 90th Congress was notable because for a period of 10 days, it contained within the Senate, all 10 of the longest-serving senators in history until January 7, 2013, when Patrick Leahy surpassed Russell B. Long as the 10th longest-serving senator in history. This period stretched from the appointment of Ted Stevens of Alaska to fill a vacancy to the retirement of Carl Hayden of Arizona early the next year.
The 96th Congress and 97th Congress were the periods in which most people from this list were serving together.

House time