The 118th Congress has been widely criticized for its ineffectiveness and chaotic proceedings. From multiple speaker elections to unprecedented impeachments, the Congress has failed to deliver on legislative priorities and has contributed to a climate of political instability.
After the 2022 midterm elections, expectations were low about the Congress that would soon follow. Voters increased the size of the narrow Democratic majority in the Senate, but they also handed a narrow majority to far-right Republicans in the House, leaving little doubt that very little would get done. The question wasn’t whether the 118th Congress would be awful, it was just how awful the Congress would prove to be. Now we know: It was a cover-your-eyes debacle on a historic scale.
Around this time a year ago, The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank wrote a column with a memorable headline that read, “Worst. Congress. Ever.” As 2023 neared its end, the columnist wrote that members were wrapping up “the most ineffective session of Congress in nearly a century — and quite possibly in all of American history.” A year later, federal lawmakers can’t exactly boast that they turned things around in the second year of the session: Legislative productivity slowed to a generational low, which was far worse than other modern Congresses that were divided between the parties. HuffPost recently described this as the “dumbest” Congress ever and ran a striking assessment from the Brookings Institution’s Sarah Binder, whose expertise on such matters has few rivals. To be sure, the fact that lawmakers passed such a paltry number of bills would automatically get this Congress included in a worst-ever conversation. But let’s not forget what else Capitol Hill has produced over the last couple of years: A lengthy and chaotic process to elect a House speaker. The first-ever ouster of a sitting House speaker. A lengthy and chaotic process to elect a new House speaker, leading to the majority conference settling on their fifth choice. The first ever impeachment of a sitting Cabinet secretary without cause. The launch of an impeachment inquiry against a sitting president without cause. An exceedingly rare expulsion of a disgraced member. The most censures against sitting House members since 1870
Congress US Politics Legislative Dysfunction Impeachment Political Instability
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Farewell to the 13 senators departing at the end of the 118th Congress Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government
Read more »
118th Congress's Slow Start in ProductivityThe 118th Congress faced significant challenges in productivity during its first year, passing only 34 bills. While Congress improved in 2024, the numbers still lag behind previous years.
Read more »
Joe Biden has been president-in-name-only since he was inauguratedThe worst scandal in White House history is the worst held secret in Washington.
Read more »
India to Host World Boxing Cup Final and World Boxing Congress in 2025India has been awarded the hosting rights for the World Boxing Cup Final and the World Boxing Congress, both scheduled for November 2025. This event marks a significant milestone for Indian boxing, showcasing the country's growing prominence in the sport and its ability to host international sporting events.
Read more »
US Congress lines up stopgap bill to avert partial government shutdownUS Congress lines up stopgap bill to avert partial government shutdown
Read more »
Biden Backs Ban on Stock Trading by Congress MembersPresident Biden has expressed his support for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and insider trading.
Read more »