What's wrong with Congress?

Key Points:

• Nearly 90% of Americans express dissatisfaction with Congress, reflecting longstanding frustration with legislative gridlock and partisanship, as noted by veteran journalist Carl Hulse.
• Congress currently faces significant challenges, including diminished cooperation between parties, ceding power to the executive branch, and difficulties in passing legislation despite holding constitutional authority.
• Experts like Sarah Binder and Philip Wallach highlight that Congress is both "broken" and "diminished," with atrophied legislative skills and a shift in members' focus toward supporting or opposing the presidency rather than bipartisan problem-solving.
• The public's expectations for Congress are often unrealistic given the polarized political environment, yet experts agree that citizens should hold Congress accountable for pressing issues such as national debt and social programs.
• While skepticism about Congress's immediate prospects remains, some optimism persists that the institution can eventually reform and regain its central role in governance, drawing on its historical capacity for adaptation.