As we bid farewell to 2023, it appears that Congress has once again left Americans feeling frustrated and disillusioned. This year, a mere 27 bills made it past the finish line and were signed into law, leaving many doubting the productivity of their elected representatives. Recent polls reflect this sentiment, with Congress garnering an abysmal approval rating in the high teens, as over 80% of those surveyed expressed their discontent.
To put this lackluster performance into perspective, for a majority of the year, only 22 bills had been approved. It took until just a few days ago for significant legislation to avert two government shutdowns and sidestep a perilous collision with the debt limit to be enacted. Some argue that history demonstrates the sometimes sluggish nature of progress in Congress, with months and even years passing without meaningful accomplishments.
Though Democrats have been quick to criticize their Republican counterparts, dubbing this Congress the 'least productive in modern American history,' even members from the GOP acknowledge their shortcomings. Representative Chip Roy, a Texan Republican, openly challenged his colleagues to present just one thing they could campaign on as a collective accomplishment.
The ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy loomed large over the year, with the subsequent election of new Speaker Mike Johnson causing extensive delays and frustration. These internal struggles within Congress were only further highlighted by the spectacle of censures of three House Democrats, the expulsion of George Santos for his confrontation with a witness during a hearing, and an unsettling episode involving aides engaging in inappropriate behavior within a hearing room.
It seems that the bar for congressional success has been set dismally low. As one member poignantly expressed, 'We've got to start delivering for the people, and we have not done that for years.' However, the challenge to rectify the situation in the coming year remains daunting. With the looming possibility of two government shutdowns and the 2024 election year fast approaching, the ability to accomplish anything of substance becomes increasingly difficult.
As Americans, we expect our elected officials to rise above partisan bickering and actively work towards the betterment of our country. Yet, time and again, we find ourselves disillusioned by the lack of meaningful progress. As we look towards the future, the hope remains that Congress will be able to set aside their differences and fulfill their duty to the citizens they represent. Only time will tell if they will meet this challenge or perpetuate the frustrating trend of a 'do-nothing Congress.'
