Final answer:
The 'typical' member of Congress is often characterized as male, white, Christian, middle-aged or older, and wealthy, with many coming from advanced professions such as law. While the Congress has become more diverse over time, with an increase in women and racial or ethnic minorities, it does not yet fully reflect the demographic diversity of the United States population.
Step-by-step explanation:
A typical member of Congress is often described demographically as overwhelmingly male, white, Christian, and wealthy, with most members being middle-aged or older. The 117th Congress showed that while there has been an increase in diversity, with more people of color and women than in past decades, these numbers do not fully reflect the diverse population of the United States. A significant number of Congressional members come from professions that require advanced education––such as law––and are financially well-off, with many being millionaires.
Descriptive representation has improved in recent years; however, Congress still has a way to go in order to mirror the nation's demographic makeup. For example, although women constitute more than half of the U.S. population, they only make up about 25 percent of Congress. Similarly, while racial and ethnic minorities make up a considerable portion of the population, they account for 24 percent of Congress as of the 117th session. This shows an ongoing trend toward increasing diversity, which enhances the variety of life experiences and perspectives in the legislative process and is seen as beneficial for more accurately representing the constituents' interests.