Congress performs poorly by most measures, and a mere 15 percent of the public approves of our national legislature’s performance. The public’s discontent is understandable. Legislators have failed to debate and craft policies to address important issues such as immigration, healthcare, and housing affordability. This report examines whether electoral incentives are to blame for Congress’s […]
Congress Is Vulnerable to a Paralyzing T...
On a sunny Tuesday morning 25 years ago, Congress reconvened. Speaker Dennis Hastert called the House of Representatives to order, and the Illinois Republican recognized Rep. Earl Blumenauer. The bowtie-wearing Democrat from Oregon began delivering a speech criticizing the marketing of tobacco. He was the first of three members queued to give speeches…. (Read more)
Upgrading Congress to Meet the Demands o...
Americans’ dissatisfaction with Congress is long-standing; its public approval rating has hovered between 10 and 30 percent for the last two decades. This discontent threatens national unity and democratic confidence, especially amid polarization and partisan political conflict…. (Read more)
Maybe Americans Are Too Hard on Congress
Capitol Hill is very balmy and very quiet. The thrum of legislators jawboning while a vote is being tallied has been replaced with a sepulchrous quiet. The Senate hung out its “Gone fishing” sign at the end of the first week of August. The House of Representatives closed the chamber and dashed to the airports in mid-July. America’s national […]
Congress Is Struggling to Get Its Work D...
The news coming from Capitol Hill over the past couple of weeks has left much to be desired. Congress has had difficulty discharging its lawmaking duties. The Senate’s appropriations committee is at loggerheads over how much spending to authorize. The impasse is hindering Congress’s ability to pass the dozen spending bills and avert a government shutdown on Oct. 1…. […]
Congressional Republicans Are Losing Pat...
Longtime Republican pollster Frank Luntz recently declared, “There is zero doubt tonight that Donald Trump is in complete and total control of the Republican Party.” His statement came after the president’s preferred candidate, Ken Paxton, primaried Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in late May…. (Read more)