Veterans Hold 57 Seats in 120th Congress

Military Times counts at least 57 veterans set to serve, a share projected to fall to about 15%, the lowest since at least the 1970s.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a silhouetted domed capitol building centered on a cream field, in deep red and navy. — At least 57 veterans will serve in the 120th Congress, and their share of lawmakers is projected to fall to about 15%, the lowest in decades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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At least 57 veterans will serve in the 120th Congress, with another 20 veteran candidates in races too close to call. The veteran share of Congress is projected to fall to about 15%, down from 19% this year and 27% in 2001.

Why it matters

The decline continues a long-term drop from the 1970s, when nearly three-quarters of members had military service. Military Times analysis of the results shows the shrinking share of veterans in the legislative branch that makes decisions on defense policy.

At least 21 Democrat and 32 Republican veterans have won U.S. House seats, and at least 13 veterans will serve in the Senate. The 2025 Congress is 19% veterans, but at least 20 veteran candidates remain in races that are too close to call.

The players

Military Times

A news organization focused on military affairs and veterans issues, which analyzed the election results to count veterans in the incoming Congress.

With Honor Action

A group that tracks and supports veteran candidates for public office, which counted 258 veteran candidates on this year's ballot.

The details

At least 14 veterans will be new to the House, and 43 House veterans retained their seats. Fred Wellman, a West Point graduate and Army helicopter pilot, unseated Rep. Ann Wagner, D-Mo., while Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., a former Alabama National Guard member, won the state's open Senate seat.

2001: Veterans made up 27% of Congress.
1970s: Nearly three-quarters of Congress had military service.
2025: Veterans made up 19% of Congress.
November 5, 2026: Military Times reported the veteran election results.
120th Congress: Incoming Congress expected to have about 15% veterans.

Big Picture

Veterans made up nearly three-quarters of Congress in the 1970s, a share that has fallen steadily to 27% in 2001 and 19% in 2025. The projected drop to about 15% in the 120th Congress would be the lowest since at least that decade.

A smaller veteran share in Congress means fewer lawmakers with direct military experience will weigh in on defense budgets, service member benefits, and military deployment decisions. The change affects how defense policy is shaped in Washington for the next Congress.

The takeaway

The falling share of veterans in Congress means military policy will increasingly be debated by lawmakers without firsthand service. Readers who follow defense issues may want to watch how the final close races are decided.