Key Takeaways
- The US Congress is facing a crisis of productivity and functionality, with a record number of lawmakers leaving office and a growing reputation as the least productive in modern history.
- Former members of Congress cite a range of challenges, including polarization, centralization of power, and a congressional calendar that leaves little time for building consensus.
- The increasing threats and violence faced by lawmakers, as well as the toll on their families, are also major concerns.
- Many former members believe that Congress is abdicating its responsibilities to the executive branch and that the country needs more good people to run for office.
Introduction to the Crisis in Congress
Congress is wrapping up the year in the shadow of the longest government shutdown and with a growing reputation as the least productive in modern history. Former Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat who represented Tennessee for 32 years, described Congress as being "in a coma" with "a pulse, but not many brainwaves." This sentiment is shared by many former members of Congress, who cite a range of challenges that are contributing to the crisis. A record number of lawmakers are calling it quits ahead of the midterm elections, pursuing different offices or retiring from political life altogether.
The Challenges Facing Congress
Former members of Congress, including Barbara Comstock, a Virginia Republican, and Cheri Bustos, an Illinois Democrat, say that the issues facing Congress are growing deeper. They point to the polarization of politics, the centralization of power in party leadership, and the congressional calendar, which typically has the House working 3.5 days a week, leaving little time to build consensus. Dan Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat, noted that committee leadership roles, which were once a path to wield influence and power, now mean less due to intervention from leadership. Former members also described how over time, intervention from leadership in processes like debates and amendments has limited the involvement of rank-and-file members.
The Toll on Lawmakers and Their Families
The nature of the congressional calendar reveals another lifestyle challenge cited by former members – the toll on families. Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, said that "the biggest sacrifice is your spouse, your kids" and that being in Congress means being gone half the time, missing birthdays, school events, and other important family moments. The financial burden of paying for two homes is also a challenge, and while Congress has boosted what members can reimburse for living expenses, it has not adjusted its salary for cost of living increases in line with the rest of the federal workforce. Reid Ribble, a Wisconsin Republican, noted that raising pay is a tough sell, but it has practical implications for Congress, as it can make it difficult for people to run for office.
The Rise of Partisanship and Threats
Former members said that partisanship is increasingly rewarded when lawmakers with the most partisan rhetoric get more media coverage and fundraising dollars. Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, noted that she felt the need to tell a Republican colleague that she didn’t view them as her enemy, highlighting the deepening divide between parties. The number of threats lawmakers face has also skyrocketed in recent years, with former members describing a major shift between when they were first elected and when they left office. Cheri Bustos described how her staff didn’t feel safe and had to install security buttons that would go to the local police department in case of a threat.
The Abdication of Congressional Power
Beyond concerns about the shift of power towards leadership at the expense of rank-and-file members, former lawmakers in both parties decried what they view as Congress abdicating its responsibilities to the executive branch. Charlie Dent, a Pennsylvania Republican, said that he’s most concerned about the erosion of Congress’ power of the purse authorities, citing the president’s ability to unilaterally raise taxes without a vote of Congress. Dan Lipinski described a recent conversation with a member who’s part of the whip team, which is responsible for counting heads on key legislation, and how they would offer a call from the president to persuade members to vote with the party.
A Call to Action
Despite the growing challenges, many former members believe that there’s still an opportunity for good work to get done on Capitol Hill. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, said that "you can still make a difference" and that it’s hard, but it’s worth it. Jim Cooper put it more bluntly, saying that the country needs "more good people to run" and that a good congressman will never be paid what they’re worth, but they’ll have a better country as a result. Cooper encouraged people to run for office, saying that it’s worth the challenges and that it’s a way to make a difference in the country.
