Nearly 9 in 10 Americans are unhappy with Congress, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with its performance. The institution, long criticized for inefficiency and partisan gridlock, continues to struggle under Republican control of both the House and Senate. Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, described Congress as 'broken' and noted a decline in its effectiveness over decades.
Hulse emphasized that Congress has ceded significant power to the executive branch, particularly under Republican leadership. He argued that this shift, especially on issues like tariffs and war powers, undermines the Constitution's Article I, which grants Congress substantial authority. 'Once you give away some power, you never get it back,' Hulse warned, cautioning that future Democratic administrations are unlikely to restore congressional authority.
The 119th Congress has passed fewer bills than many of its predecessors, exacerbating public frustration. Hulse acknowledged that many lawmakers genuinely want to act but are hindered by deep partisan divisions. 'There's just very, very little cooperation between the parties, and you can't make things happen that way,' he said.
The lack of bipartisan cooperation has led to legislative gridlock, with key issues stalled amid partisan disputes. Critics argue that this dysfunction undermines public trust in the institution, while defenders point to the challenges of governing in a polarized political climate.