The Broken Machinery That Is The United States Congress
Partisan Gridlock, Special Interests, and Outdated Procedures: Why Congress Struggles to Serve the People
The United States Congress, originally having been designed to be the cornerstone of representative democracy, has long been a symbol of the nation’s ability to legislate and govern effectively. However, in recent years, the perception of Congress as a functioning institution has become eroded, leading many to conclude that it is fundamentally broken. A combination of partisan polarization, legislative gridlock, and procedural inefficiencies has hampered its ability to address pressing national issues. The consequences of this dysfunction are far-reaching, affecting public trust, economic stability, and the nation’s global standing.
Partisan Polarization and Gridlock
One of the primary reasons Congress appears broken is the intensification of partisan polarization. Democrats and Republicans are more ideologically divided than ever before, making bipartisan cooperation exceedingly rare. This division has led to legislative gridlock, where critical issues like healthcare reform, climate change, and infrastructure improvements remain unresolved. The inability to pass meaningful legislation has rendered Congress an arena of…
