Final answer:
The answer is false; racial and ethnic minorities, such as black and Hispanic individuals, are underrepresented in Congress compared to their percentage in the U.S. population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about the percentage of black and Hispanic congresspersons being equal to their percentage in the population is false. Although there has been a rise in the number of racial and ethnic minorities in Congress, it does not yet mirror the demographics of the general population. For instance, African Americans and Latinos are still underrepresented in comparison to their population percentages. A more descriptive representation of these groups in Congress would ensure that a variety of life experiences and perspectives are brought to policy making, potentially better representing the constituents.
The 117th Congress marked a historic increase in racial and ethnic minorities, but white, wealthy men still dominate. Women hold only 25 percent of the seats in Congress, yet they represent over half of the U.S. population. While the general trend shows growing diversity in Congress, this does not guarantee that the political interests of all demographic groups are being represented proportionally, which is an essential aspect of descriptive representation.