Congressional Deadlock – Does Government Work?

Congress is the most powerful component of the government. The Founders put forth the powers of Congress in Article 1 of the constitution. Section 8 enumerates this long series, which includes the power to levy taxes, declare war, and to impeach the president. With these powers, comes their responsibility to the people, which should be enforced through elections. The Founders intended for Congressman to be elected dependent on their relative effectiveness in the application of the electorate’s wants and needs, however, many people point to a growing congressional deadlock as a pressing problem and a disconnect between the public and Congress.

Measuring legislative productivity is difficult. One could examine the number of bills passed or days in session, but neither of these point to a significant measure of effectiveness. Yes, there is a decreasing trend of passing bills, but there isn’t an explicit relationship between these two. Congress could be passing many bills, but only those affecting more irrelevant problems. Despite this difficulty, through numerous factors, one can derive a trend of decreasing congressional efficacy through third-party measures such as The Legislative Effectiveness Project, the Healthy Congress Index and more.

A number of factors contribute to this gridlock. Political party’s growing polarization impedes progress by hampering compromises between the two on issues of contrast. If these congressmen seek reelection but believe passing bills antithetical to their platform would harm them then come the next election then logically they would rather perpetuate stalemate then surrender any power. Also, differences between the House and Senate severely restricts progress. Increased filibuster use has also contributed, encumbering the voting process. The framers devised the system to be purposefully difficult and slow to prevent governmental dangers. This gridlock creates a legislative environment which requires the cooperation of many different parts, so that theoretically only the best legislation, agreed upon by the majority, should be pushed out. These checks and balances area central tenant on the organization of our government, and the products of their creation may not be the issue some point to it as.

Many solutions have been put forward. Promoting cooperation between parties, and Congress could ease friction and provide a better climate for a productive legislature. Changing the system to prevent more filibusters and decrease necessary votes, while incredibly difficult and improbable, would allow a more fluid congress. Other issues such as gerrymandering and activist parties also contribute. Constitutional gridlock is an issue deeply rooted in prominent institutions across our government. This leaves the people to either trust that Congress can still effectively operate despite these issues, or require a grand overhaul. A number of issues present Congress with a difficult road ahead of them. Currently allocating money for Hurricane Harvey relief, preventing an imposing government shutdown, and tax reform combine to create an important season for Congress. Therefore, if this congressional gridlock impedes, the public will face many problems. How Congress moves forward on these issues, may very importantly indicate the political health of the institution.

Matthew Lidz says:

November 15, 2017 at 8:46 pm

I agree with what you wrote, but you did not go in depth about the impact gerrymandering has on preventing compromise between members of Congress, specifically the House of Representatives . The textbook talked about how the decline in competitive districts and the rise in gerrymandered districts prevent compromise from happening. It is harder to make a deal if you have to be worried about a primary challenge every two years. The two years terms in the House means that members have to be in constant campaign mode and act in the delegate model of representation. It is harder to make the tough vote for a policy when your district opposes it and you are at risk of losing your seat. Having to appeal to primary voters, who are generally have more extreme views compared to the rest of the population allows for little to no wiggle room for any possible deals.

I also think the power of the Speaker in the post 1994 era has a major impact. Committee assignments are handed out based on a member’s support for the Speaker. Thus, support of the Speaker through opposition to compromise and supporting the party tends to be key in deciding who is on what committee. Taking tough votes in defiance of leadership would only hurt people’s chances getting onto a more powerful committee

Christopher Barry says:

November 18, 2017 at 7:47 pm

You make interesting points regarding the causes of congressional deadlock. I would like to further examine some of the causes as they relate to some of those presented well as examine the effect on our democracy.
An underlying cause to congressional deadlock is found within the foundation of Congress, the Constitution. The respective terms for both bodies of Congress allow politicians to focus on divisive and self-interested action in different ways. Since Representatives in the House are always concerned about reelection, Representatives are more inclined continue to appeal to their constituents (and due to gerrymandering their party’s platform). It would be assumed that since Senators have longer terms they would be less influenced by elections and vote based on the good of the country and their larger constituencies like the Founders intended; however, in practice, party support, usually in the form of economic support during election and reelection campaigns, drives Senators to have hardline stances on issues like as within the House. Elections and their proximity as well as overall party support have a severe effect on how our elected representatives act.
In terms of the issue of increased partisanship, Congress has created deadlocks as way to maneuver around going through traditional means to achieve certain agendas. Through implementing certain conditions for important, necessary, and usually time sensitive bills, deadlocks are also created and nothing (and no good) is accomplished and thus the government is not working. For example, certain politicians wanted to include conditions in one of the hurricane relief bills about health care and the Affordable Care Act, showing the hardline stances usually dictated by party lines and their urgency on wanting only their position and policies to get pass. It shows that they are willing to do anything to get their positions pass, even if it means stopping more important, unrelated bills from passing.
Overall, congressional deadlock hurts our democracy. It demonstrates the lack of efficiency within our elected officials. It is expected that Congress, and the federal government, to respond to our concerns and wishes. That is the point of not only a democratic government, but government in general. If the government is not responding and solving issues, it is not working for anyone. While part of the blame is on the increased partisanship, the blame ultimately falls upon the system and the elected officials working within the system. In order to stay within the system and maintain their power and control (on persisting their stances on issues) as dictated by the system, congressional deadlock seems to become the new normal.