Senate, U.S.

The U.S. Senate has been called the world's most exclusive club. This club has been composed mostly of white males throughout history and has yet to witness the level of ethnic and racial diversity of other political institutions in the United States. As an exclusive club, the Senate has been slower to develop with a multicultural America. The qualifications for the U.S. Senate are being 30 years of age, a U.S. citizen for nine years, and a resident of the state represented. Dozens of naturalized citizens have served in the upper chamber of Congress. There have been seven African Americans, five Asian Americans, eight Hispanic Americans, and three Native American Indians to serve in Senate history. Those 18 “minority” candidates compose 0.01 percent of the 1,943 members to serve in the Senate. In the 112th Congress of 2011 to 2013, there were two Hispanics and two Asian Americans, at four percent, the most diverse in history. The 113th Congress of 2013–15 had three Hispanics and one African American, remaining at 4 percent.

Regarding gender, 44 women have served in the Senate (29 Democrats and 15 Republicans). In 2013, 20 women (16 Democrats and four Republicans) mark the most females in history. Rebecca Felton (D-Georgia) was the first woman appointed and served only for one day. Hattie Caraway (D-Arkansas) in 1932 was the first female elected, and served for 14 years. Carol Moseley Braun, an African American from Illinois, has been the only woman of color. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), elected in 2012, is the first openly gay member of the chamber.

The majority of senators have been Christians Protestants collectively are the majority, whereas Catholic is currently the single largest denomination. There have been 34 Jewish senators, including 12 who served in 2012. No Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists have served in the Senate. There are seven Mormons in the 113th Congress. The Senate investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1904 to 1907 after Reed Smoot, a prominent Mormon, was elected. After a thorough probe of the church, senators voted against expelling Smoot. A Senate chaplain has been appointed since 1789. The official chaplains have all been of a Christian denomination. Guest chaplains from all the major faiths have also presided. Several members voluntarily participate in a weekly Senators’ Prayer Breakfast.

Waves of German, Irish, and Italian immigrants transformed American cities and local politics in the late 19th century. Carl Schurz, born in Germany, became the first German American senator, representing Missouri. Although most immigrants joined the Democratic Party, Schurz joined the Whig and then the Republican parties because of their anti-slavery positions. He was an ardent supporter of President Abraham Lincoln. Schurz, who had a love of Germany and loyalty toward America, in a speech on the Senate floor, adapted the phrase “My country, right or wrong” to “My Country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Many of Schurz's speeches and writings focus on patriotism and on combining the best of German character with American culture.

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