New Report Finds People of Color Underrepresented in Top Staff Roles in the U.S. House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2025

Contact: Kennedy Fortner, kennedy.fortner@jointcenter.org

New Report Finds People of Color Underrepresented in Top Staff Roles in the U.S. House

Joint Center analysis reveals continued racial and ethnic disparities among the most influential positions in House personal and committee offices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report, “Racial & Ethnic Representation Among Top Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives,” from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies reveals that while people of color make up 42.9 percent of the U.S. population, they hold just 21.6 percent of top staff roles in the U.S. House of Representatives.  This report provides a detailed analysis of racial and ethnic disparities among chiefs of staff, legislative directors, communications directors, and full committee staff directors in Washington, D.C.

The findings show persistent underrepresentation of Black, Latino/a, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, and biracial professionals in the most powerful congressional staff roles — positions that significantly shape federal policymaking and oversight.

“Top staff shape how Congress works, whose voices are heard, and what priorities get advanced,” said Dr. LaShonda Brenson, Joint Center senior researcher and co-author of the report. “This analysis shows that the people in those roles don’t yet reflect the people served by Congress — especially in offices representing racially diverse districts.”

Additional report key findings include:

• People of color account for 42.9 percent of the U.S. population but only 21.6 percent of all top House staff. Committee-level representation is even more stark: people of color hold just 17.9 percent of staff director positions. 
• Black Americans make up 11.8 percent of the U.S. population but just 6.0 percent of House personal office top staff. 
• Latina/os represent 19.4 percent of the population but only 6.6 percent of top staff. 
• Just 8.3 percent of the 303 personal offices of white House members are led by chiefs of staff of color. 
• The Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus are the only caucuses to employ a Black top staff equal to or higher than the Black population (11.8 percent), 33.1 percent, and 12.5 percent Black top staff, respectively.

“Even though we’ve seen modest gains in staff diversity over the years, there is still disproportionate representation of top staffers of color,” said Kimberly Victor, Joint Center research associate and co-author of the report. “It’s especially troubling that Black representation among top staffers has decreased from 6.7 percent to just six percent since 2018. It’s clear that there’s still progress to be made.”

This report also highlights the impact of institutional shifts, including the 2024 disbanding of the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), which previously played a key role in supporting diverse hiring efforts and data transparency.

“Congress cannot legislate effectively if it lacks the lived experiences of the communities it serves,” said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Joint Center president. “We urge House leadership to restore and strengthen infrastructure such as the ODI and take measurable steps to close these persistent representation gaps.”

Recommendations include:

• Release disaggregated staff demographic data publicly.
• Develop diversity plans for each personal and committee office.

To read the report, click here.

About the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.

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