Romney says his generation should step aside. Younger lawmakers react.

Ray Bogan: Senator Mitt Romney is retiring. He cited his age as one of the main reasons. 

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah 

“The fact that at the end of a second term I would be in my mid 80’s and I think it’s time for guys like me to get out of the way and have people in the next generation step forward…” 

Bogan: There are about 100 Members of Congress who are older than 70. The average age in the Senate is 64, the average age in the House is 57.  So we asked younger lawmakers if they think the older generation is doing enough to prepare the next generation. 

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota

there is little political reward for preparing the next generation. Because you’d Nobody here wants to be replaced. It’s just the way it works. People that’s why we have people in their 90s in this institution, 

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida

My number one thing really isn’t about your age. It’s more, are you with us today,mentally? Are you, do you have the drive, the mental capabilities, the energy to do this? And so I think it’s much more indicative of than that than anything else. 

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri

I do think that this is a moment of transition. And I think for Republicans, the real question is, are we going to move beyond the politics of plutocracy? I mean, are we going to be something other than the party of Wall Street bankers? And I think the answer to that had better be yes. If it’s not, we’re not going to be a majority party.

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota

But I think it’s good to have some institutional knowledge and experience to help us with that. But increasingly, we are devoid of a generation that has the competency to deal with issues like artificial intelligence, like FinTech issues, like climate issues,

Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts

I think Speaker Pelosi set a terrific example, by making way for the next generation in a way that was graceful and allowed the caucus to embrace new leadership.

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota

I see how people behave when they are on their way out. They’re independent minded. They vote their conscience, they’re no longer bound by party. They’re more bound by principle.