Unprecedented level of women and minority representatives in the new Congress

The new United States Congress includes a longer than ever list of members from the female and minority demographic. Twenty seats in the Senate will be held by women. It is anticipated that white males will soon cease to be the majority within the Democratic caucus. “We’re the party of diversity,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. “Look at the results from all over the country.” One of the Democratic women elected is Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii, the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Senate. Newly elected Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin also made national headlines when she became the first openly gay US senator. Currently white men make up slightly less than 50% of the Democratic caucus, a significant drop from 53% in 2010. White men represent 31% of the US population overall.