Rep. John Dingell became longest - serving member of Congress on record . 51 : Senators in the 113th Congress who had previously served in the House . Dingell 's record eclipses that of former Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia . Contrast that with the 60 days that Dean Barkley served to finish Paul Wellstone 's term . Dingell and his father , John Dingell Sr . , served a total of 80 years in Congress .
Rep. John Dingell became longest - serving member of Congress on record . Dingell 's record eclipses that of former Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia . Contrast that with the 60 days that Dean Barkley served to finish Paul Wellstone 's term . Dingell and his father , John Dingell Sr . , served a total of 80 years in Congress .