Congress has been historically unproductive this year
The 118th edition of Congress could use a stern reprimand from Principal Strickland in Back to the Future, because itâs shaping up to be the biggest slacker of its kind in modern history, per new data from analytics firm Quorum.
This year, the first of the ongoing two-year session of Congress, a total of 20 bills have been passed by both chambers and signed into law, with another four measures awaiting President Bidenâs signature. This combined 24-bill figure is at least 3x lower than any other first-year session of Congress dating back to 1989, when such data first became available.
- Of the 24 bills approved in 2023, the vast majority were either uncontroversial measures with little or no opposition â like renaming VA clinics and minting new coins â or must-pass legislation like raising the federal debt ceiling or avoiding a government shutdown.
⊠Driving the trend: While periods of divided government typically result in more legislative gridlock on Capitol Hill, the current lack of productivity is unprecedented dating back to the Great Depression, when Congress didnât hold its first meeting each year until December.
- Some analysts point to the House as the main source of dysfunction. Through September, the chamber had passed its fewest number of bills in a decade (224), and was on track to meet for just 117 days this year â well below its average of 151 days/year the previous two decades.
- On the flip side, GOP House lawmakers largely blame the Democrat-led Senate and President Biden for Congressâ historically unproductive 2023 session, saying they refused to take up hundreds of House-approved bills to address key issues.
đ Looking ahead⌠Next year is projected to be just as unproductive as 2023 on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers turn their focus to the upcoming presidential election and legislative fights over federal spending.
đ Flash poll: How do you feel about the current level of gridlock in Congress?
See a 360 view of what media pundits are saying â
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Congress, even under divided government, has routinely found ways to function â until the current gang of far-right Republicans took over the House and proved unwilling or unable to make tough decisions.
- Others contend that the congressional dysfunction experienced in 2023 can largely be blamed on House Republicans, who seem unserious and uninterested about governing America or addressing its myriad of problems in this day and age.
- âWorst. Congress. Ever.â âDana Millbank, WaPo
- âAs the year ends, GOP-led House did little but sow chaos in Congressâ âPhiladelphia Inquirer Editorial Board
- A âHistorical and Hystericalâ House Flees After a Tumultuous Yearâ âCarl Hulse, NY Times
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Congressâ ultimate goal should be to have a so-called âunproductiveâ legislative session, since their previous âproductiveâ sessions have produced bloated laws that set US taxpayers back trillions of dollars.
- Others contend that too many Washingtonians believe that passing laws is a good thing, and passing more laws is a better thing â when in reality, the exact opposite is usually the case, and the legislative body that passes fewer laws is better.
- âHallelujah! Congress is barely passing ANY new laws â and thatâs a good thingâ âNY Post Editorial Board
- âShould We Worry That the 118th Congress Will Be Unproductive?â âDavid Boaz, Cato Institute
- âA Look Back at How Awful Politics Was in 2023â âGerald F. Seib, WSJ
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