The United States Congress is currently grappling with widespread public dissatisfaction and internal challenges, according to a recent CBS News report. Indeed, nearly nine out of ten Americans have expressed their unhappiness with the legislative body. The sentiment echoes the words of famed social commentator and actor Will Rogers, who once quipped about Congress: “Every time they make a joke, it’s a law, and every time they make a law, it’s a joke.”
This humour, though decades old, still resonates with many today. Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, observed that it has become “a great American pastime to hate Congress.” He added that there is “a lot of frustration with Congress” across the nation.
Hulse, who has covered Capitol Hill since the Reagan administration, offered a stark assessment of the current situation. When asked if he perceives a broken institution today, he unequivocally replied, “Oh yes, totally.” He further lamented, “I unfortunately have said to people, ‘I’ve spent my career covering the decline of Congress.'”
He stressed the urgent need for the institution to “get it together,” pointing to a significant lack of cooperation between the parties. Such divisions, he explained, prevent meaningful progress, stating that “you can’t make things happen that way.” Hulse believes that “a lot of them want to do the right thing, and they just can’t quite get themselves there to do it.”
Partisan Divide Stymies Legislative Progress
Currently, the Republican Party holds control of both the Senate and the House. This political landscape frequently leads to legislative gridlock, hampering the passage of new bills. The 119th Congress has notably passed fewer bills than many of its predecessors, a clear indicator of the challenges faced.
Despite these difficulties, some legislation has managed to have a considerable impact. This includes the GOP mega-bill, which is projected to cut taxes by $4.5 trillion over the next decade. Additionally, a bipartisan housing bill was recently passed, demonstrating a rare instance of inter-party collaboration.
However, the current Congress will also be remembered for a partial government shutdown. This significant event occurred over funding for homeland security, reflecting the deep divisions within the legislative body. Critics from both the left and right continue to demand more action, whether in the form of raising or cutting federal spending.
Concerns Over Congressional Authority
Under the Constitution, Congress is endowed with substantial power, with “Article I” being described as “a real thing” by Hulse. Yet, he voiced serious concerns about the current Republican-controlled Congress ceding its authority to the administration. This move, he argued, has been “a real mistake on a lot of fronts.”
He cited areas such as tariffs and war powers, which are explicitly enumerated in the Constitution, as examples of relinquished authority. Hulse warned that they are “giving away the store.” He also stated that “once you give away some power, you never get it back.”
Hulse considered the perspective that Republicans might view this as necessary because “this is President Trump, our guy. We needed to do that.” However, he cautioned against this approach, asserting that “the next Democratic president isn’t going to turn around and say, ‘You know, that was a big mistake letting Congress get so weak. We need to empower them again.'” He firmly concluded, “No, it’s not gonna happen. It goes for good.”
Beyond internal dynamics, President Trump has also routinely bypassed Congress. This has occurred on significant issues such as trade and the war with Iran. Furthermore, he has exerted pressure on Congress to comply with his agenda, including urging an overhaul of federal voting rules just last week.
Uncertainty and a Grim Political Climate
The Senate, in particular, is experiencing an especially uncertain period. Former majority leader Mitch McConnell has been hospitalised for weeks, creating a void in leadership. This situation is compounded by the sudden death of South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham earlier this month.
For Carl Hulse, these disruptions serve to highlight how Congress is currently grappling with age-related challenges. He also noted an increasingly grim political climate, which he believes is worse than when he first arrived on Capitol Hill.
As the United States Congress navigates these complex internal and external pressures, the desire for greater action and cooperation remains a consistent demand from various political factions.