America resembles a gerontocracy, and some elderly politicians are still grasping onto power by the seat of their… wheelchairs.

Oxford Languages defines a gerontocracy as “a state, society or group governed by old people.” 

While our country isn’t a gerontocracy by law or by rule, the age of politicians has become a top issue, especially this year.

Dianne Feinstein (D-CA,) who is 90 years old, is the oldest sitting U.S. senator and member of Congress. Right behind Feinstein is Chuck Grassley (R-IA,) who also just turned 90 and is the second-highest-ranking official of the Senate.

Concerns over Feinstein’s health have increased this year as she returned to Congress in May from being hospitalized for shingles in February. Since she’s arrived back on Capitol Hill, she has sometimes appeared confused, is usually wheeled around by aids in a wheelchair and has recently given power of attorney to her daughter.

This begs the question: How can she make decisions for us when she can’t make decisions for herself?

A video from July circulated on social media showing her being asked to vote “aye” during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, as she seemed to be confused while reading an unnecessary prepared statement.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been another face circulating in the news with his infamous freeze-ups. On two separate occasions, he appeared to be unable to respond to reporters. During the second incident, the 81-year-old ironically froze for about 30 seconds after being asked if he would run for reelection in 2026.

After these instances, McConnell was examined by a group of neurologists who said there is no evidence that he suffered a stroke or has a movement disorder.

As he continues to lead Senate Republicans, even some of his own constituents in Kentucky are calling for him to retire. Questions about his fitness to serve are being whispered throughout Congress.

Of course, questions are looming over President Biden, who is 80 years old and is running for reelection in 2024. If he wins, he’ll be 82 when he starts his second term and 86 if he were to make it to the end of his term.

Biden was the oldest person to be elected president in 2020, and he would set the new record in 2024.

In a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center of Affairs Research, it showed three-fourths (or 77 percent) of U.S. adults believe that Biden is too old for another term.

Another CBS News poll found that nearly three in four Americans (or 73 percent) believe there should be maximum age limits for elected officials.

The reality is we do need maximum age limits for politicians. The median age in our nation is 39, but the average age of senators in the 118th Congress is 64.

Elderly politicians should step aside to make room for a new generation of leaders. The young people in this country understand the importance of tackling the climate crisis, stopping gun violence and protecting LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access.

They should be the ones making decisions for our future.

Aden Graves is an opinion writer. Contact him at [email protected]