Record Holders

Longest-serving Representative to serve in the House:
With more than 59 years of service, Representative John Dingell, Jr., of Michigan, holds the record for longest consecutive service.

Longest-serving Speaker of the House:
Sam Rayburn of Texas served as Speaker for a total of 17 years, two months, and two days.

Oldest person recorded to have served in the House:
Born in 1923, Representative Ralph Hall of Texas is the oldest person to have served in the House. Hall retired in 2015, at the age of 91. Prior to 2012, Representative Charles Manly Stedman of North Carolina, who died in office on September 23, 1930, at the age of 89 years, 7 months, and 25 days held the designation.

Youngest person ever to be elected to the House:
Representative William Charles Cole Claiborne of Tennessee, elected to the 5th Congress (1797–1799) at the age of 22. The youngest woman to be elected is Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, sworn in to the 114th Congress (2015–2017) at the age of 30 years, 6 months, 2 days. The prior record was held by Representative Elizabeth Holtzman of New York, elected to the 93rd Congress (1973–1975) at the age of 31.

Longest Period of Nonconsecutive Service in the House: At 34 years, Representative Philip F. Thomas of Maryland has the longest period of nonconsecutive service in House history. Representative Thomas served in the 26th Congress (1839–1841), and was later re-elected to the 44th Congress (1875–1877).