Congress: New (and older) Congress

USA Today does some fun stats about the new Congress. One interesting nugget: It's the oldest Congress on record. "The average age will be 57 in the House and 63 in the Senate, according to the chambers' historical offices. In each case, it's the highest on record. Despite the departure of such veteran lawmakers as Republican Sens. Ted Stevens of Alaska and John Warner of Virginia, both in their 80s, the 111th Congress that convenes today is getting grayer. One reason: Some junior members also moved on -- including Obama, 47, and the youngest senator, 44-year-old John Sununu of New Hampshire, who lost re-election. The oldest member, 91-year-old Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, returns." The New York Times on the latest regarding Burris: “Senate officials on Monday rejected credentials offered on behalf of Roland W. Burris, who nonetheless planned to arrive at the Capitol on Tuesday to be sworn in as the new junior senator from Illinois. After reviewing the appointment letter ... (link)