In a stunning turn of events, Congress finds itself facing a legislative blizzard as it gears up for a long, tumultuous winter in Washington, D.C. The to-do list stacked up high, with lawmakers staring down some of the most politically polarizing issues currently plaguing the nation.
The first deadline looms on January 19th when Congress must tackle the task of funding the government, followed by another deadline on Groundhog Day, February 2nd. With these deadlines creeping ever closer, the pressure is mounting for Congress to take swift action and avoid potential shutdowns.
However, recent reports claim that 2023 was the least productive year for Congress on record. With a measly 31 bills and resolutions passed into law, it seems evident that the lawmakers spent more time infighting than legislating. In fact, the year witnessed an astonishing 22-day deadlock in the battle for the House Speaker position, smashing the previous record of two days set in 1820.
Despite this dismal performance, Congress did achieve at least one notable feat. They expelled member George Santos for fraudulent activities and misuse of campaign funds. This marked the first expulsion since 2002, when Jim Traficant faced a similar fate for ten felony convictions. It is worth noting that prior to that, such expulsions had mostly occurred in the 19th century for support of the Confederacy.
While Congress asserts that their low productivity is not due to a lack of effort, the disapproval rating of the legislative body speaks volumes. A staggering 80% of independents, 78% of Democrats, and 71% of Republicans share their discontent with Congress. It appears that the American people are united in their dissatisfaction with lawmakers' performance.
As Congress battles against this wave of public disapproval, they now face the tremendous challenge of juggling multiple pressing issues within a short timeframe. Whether they can rise above the pitfalls of the previous year and truly legislate effectively remains uncertain. The hope is that 2024 will break free from the time loop and bring about a more fruitful and productive Congress, sparing the nation from reliving the disappointments of 2023.
As the winter storm gathers strength within the hallowed halls of Congress, only time will reveal whether the lawmakers can weather this blizzard and emerge with tangible accomplishments, or if they will once again fall behind, leaving the American people stranded in a frustrating cycle of inaction.
