The 118th Congress got off to a wobbly start in 2023 with historic mayhem snarling the election of the speaker of the House through 15 ballots. Despite the drama, it remains a point of pride for Jesuit colleges and universities that for the fifth consecutive session, Jesuit-educated members account for about 10 percent of Congress. Among the current 534 members (and six non-voting delegates) of the 118th Congress, 54 graduated from Jesuit colleges and universities. There are 14 Jesuit alumni in the Senate and 40 in the House of Representatives; 15 of the nation’s Jesuit colleges and universities are currently represented by alumni in the 118th U.S. Congress.
For the fifth consecutive session, Jesuit alumni account for about 10 percent of Congress.
The Jesuit Scorecard in Congress
26: Georgetown University
5: Boston College
*5: Fordham University
3: The College of the Holy Cross
2: Loyola University Chicago
2: Marquette University
2: Santa Clara University
2: University of Detroit Mercy
1 each from Creighton University, Gonzaga University, Loyola Marymount University, Regis University, Saint Louis University, Saint Peter’s University and the University of San Francisco
* Representative Rosa DeLauro is an alumna of Marymount College, which was later incorporated by Fordham University.
There are …
148 Catholics in the 118th Congress—28 percent of the total membership.
303 Protestants—57 percent.
33 Jews—6 percent.
Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim members represent 1 percent each.
Other faiths, the unaffiliated and the undeclared make up the rest.
Source: The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Pew Research Center
