The rapid growth of the U.S. minority population has increased its political clout. Since 1925, the number of black and Hispanic members of Congress has increased from zero to almost 60.¹ Substantial increases in minority membership did not take place until the late 1960s. Since then, there has been a fivefold increase in the number of blacks and Hispanics serving in Congress.

The 106^th Congress includes among its 535 voting members 37 African Americans, 18 Hispanics, three Asian Americans, and one American Indian. In recent years Hispanics have increased their congressional membership, while the number of blacks has decreased slightly. Despite gains in minority membership the 106^th Congress remains almost 90 percent white.