Washington Democrat Proposes Cognitive Tests for Congress Members

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat from Washington, is advocating for the development of standardized cognitive tests to assess whether members of Congress are fit to perform their duties, citing concerns about cognitive decline among aging lawmakers and the resulting erosion of public trust. She proposed an amendment directing the Office of Congressional Conduct to create criteria for evaluating significant, irreversible cognitive impairment in members, which could lead to ethics investigations if a lawmaker is deemed incapacitated. Despite her amendment being overwhelmingly rejected in a House Appropriations bill vote, Gluesenkamp Perez remains determined to push for transparency and accountability, emphasizing that her proposal is about representation and governance, not age discrimination. The issue has gained prominence amid high-profile cases of cognitive decline in Congress, including late Sen. Dianne Feinstein and former Rep. Kay Granger, with constituents expressing concerns that staffers, rather than elected officials, are effectively running offices. Opponents, including subcommittee chairman David Valadao, argue that regular elections serve as the appropriate measure of a member's fitness to serve. Gluesenkamp Perez’s initiative reflects a growing call among voters for systemic reforms to address the challenges posed by an aging Congress and restore confidence in federal governance.