EPISODE · Jul 17, 2026 · 27 MIN
Age and Congress: How Old is Too Old?
from Poll Hub · host Jay DeDapper, Mary Griffith, Lee Miringoff, Barbara Carvalho
In a week where one Senator died and another released hospital photos after public questions about whether or not he was alive, we're looking at what Americans think about our elderly political class. While Americans remain deeply divided on many political issues, there is broad bipartisan agreement on proposals like congressional age limits and term limits. This week, the Poll Hub team explores what the latest polling reveals about how Americans view the age of their leaders, why the issue has gained new urgency, and what the public wants the future of political leadership to look like. Then, we turn to America's changing relationship with reading. While roughly the same share of Americans continue to read at least one book each year, people are reading fewer books than they did in the past—and increasingly choosing e-books and audiobooks over print. At the same time, reading for pleasure has declined, especially among younger generations, as books compete with streaming, social media, and other forms of digital entertainment. We break down what the latest polling reveals about how Americans' reading habits are evolving, who is driving these changes, and what they may say about the way we spend our time and attention. And, we finish with a fun fact from the 80's about whether people have visited a fortune teller.
What this episode covers
We're tackling the age-old question: How old is too old to lead? Across all branches of government, Americans are increasingly questioning the age of elected officials and whether it's time for reforms like age and term limits. We also explore the changing state of reading in the U.S. As Americans read fewer books and consume them in different ways, what does modern reading really look like? And, finally, have you ever visited a fortune teller? This week's fun fact takes us back to 1980 to see just how many Americans sought a glimpse into the future.
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Age and Congress: How Old is Too Old?
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