The US Congress has been effectively absent for nearly 40 days, with no votes taken during this period, as the federal government remains in a shutdown. Despite its constitutional role in lawmaking and budgeting, the House of Representatives has failed to assert itself as an equal branch of government.
In contrast to its historical role as "The People's Chamber," Congress has been unwilling to take bold action or make meaningful decisions, instead opting for behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Senate on issues like judicial nominations, defense authorization bills, and tariff policies. The lack of transparency and accountability from the House is particularly concerning given that many Americans are voting in state and local elections this November.
The shutdown does not mean Congress cannot meet, as it can pass legislation to end the impasse. However, with dwindling SNAP benefits, skyrocketing healthcare premiums, and other major shutdown impacts starting to set in, the House has abdicated its position of importance.
This phenomenon is part of a broader trend of erosion that has created a political culture where Congress is relegated to second-class status. For decades, Congress has been eroded by a process called "political nationalization," where American politics have become increasingly centered on national issues and parties, rather than local concerns or individuals.
As a result, voters focus more on presidential elections and less on congressional ones, granting the president greater influence and diminishing Congress' independent authority. The more Congress polarizes among its members on a party-line basis, the less the public is likely to trust the legitimacy of its opposition to a president.
A weak Congress paired with an "Imperial Presidency" creates an unaccountable leader who runs wild without constitutional oversight and checks on power. This is a recipe for disaster, as individual perspectives from different districts are lost in the process, and local problems are left unaddressed.
The Constitution places Congress first, but in reality, Congress has been playing second fiddle to the president's agenda. The founding fathers intentionally placed Congress at the top of the federal government hierarchy because they wanted power decentralized among a wide variety of elected leaders from different parts of the country.
However, this vision is being dismantled by decades of erosion and a shifting political landscape that prioritizes presidential control over congressional authority. As Charlie Hunt, Associate Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, notes, "A weak Congress paired with what historian Arthur Schlesinger called the 'Imperial Presidency' is a recipe for an unaccountable president."
In contrast to its historical role as "The People's Chamber," Congress has been unwilling to take bold action or make meaningful decisions, instead opting for behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Senate on issues like judicial nominations, defense authorization bills, and tariff policies. The lack of transparency and accountability from the House is particularly concerning given that many Americans are voting in state and local elections this November.
The shutdown does not mean Congress cannot meet, as it can pass legislation to end the impasse. However, with dwindling SNAP benefits, skyrocketing healthcare premiums, and other major shutdown impacts starting to set in, the House has abdicated its position of importance.
This phenomenon is part of a broader trend of erosion that has created a political culture where Congress is relegated to second-class status. For decades, Congress has been eroded by a process called "political nationalization," where American politics have become increasingly centered on national issues and parties, rather than local concerns or individuals.
As a result, voters focus more on presidential elections and less on congressional ones, granting the president greater influence and diminishing Congress' independent authority. The more Congress polarizes among its members on a party-line basis, the less the public is likely to trust the legitimacy of its opposition to a president.
A weak Congress paired with an "Imperial Presidency" creates an unaccountable leader who runs wild without constitutional oversight and checks on power. This is a recipe for disaster, as individual perspectives from different districts are lost in the process, and local problems are left unaddressed.
The Constitution places Congress first, but in reality, Congress has been playing second fiddle to the president's agenda. The founding fathers intentionally placed Congress at the top of the federal government hierarchy because they wanted power decentralized among a wide variety of elected leaders from different parts of the country.
However, this vision is being dismantled by decades of erosion and a shifting political landscape that prioritizes presidential control over congressional authority. As Charlie Hunt, Associate Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, notes, "A weak Congress paired with what historian Arthur Schlesinger called the 'Imperial Presidency' is a recipe for an unaccountable president."
. I mean, they're supposed to be making laws and stuff, but instead they're just hiding behind closed doors negotiating with each other 
. It's like they're not even representing the people who elected them.
. It's like they've forgotten that they're supposed to be working for the country, not just their own party.
. The president gets to do whatever they want without any checks and balances, while Congress is left with nothing but their own egos 
. It's like a recipe for disaster, and we need to fix it ASAP before it's too late 
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they're basically just a joke when it comes to passing laws and making decisions that actually affect people's lives. like, what's the point of even having a house rep if you're not gonna use your power? 
and can we talk about how the president is basically running the show around here? it's like, hello, congress was put in place to balance out all this power! 
, like i get that congress can't agree on stuff, but what's really worrying is how this is setting a bad precedent for our democracy. it's like they're abandoning their responsibilities and letting the prez call all the shots 
. and don't even get me started on how voters are so caught up in presidential elections and forget about local issues - it's time to shake things up and make congress more accountable again 
. we need to bring back some of that decentralization the founding fathers had in mind, you know? a weak congress paired with an imperial presidency is like a ticking time bomb 
it's so sad to see our representatives in congress not doing their job... like, they're supposed to be the people's chamber, but instead they're just kinda... stuck 
. I mean, what's the point of even having an election if we don't have anyone to hold accountable? 
It's like they're just waiting for someone else to fix everything... 
It's like they're hiding from their own constituents... voters are voting in local elections, but does Congress care about those issues?! 
SNAP benefits r dwindling & healthcare premiums r skyrocketing... it's like they're not even tryin' 
instead of decentralized power, we got this super polarized congress where parties r more important than individual perspectives 
& transparency so let's get congress back on track & stop this imperial presidency 
#CongressDeservesBetter
but at the same time, i feel bad for americans who are voting in state and local elections this november and don't get to see their reps taking action. 
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. Local problems are getting lost in the shuffle because Congress isn't doing its job 
. I mean, what's next? The executive branch becoming the supreme ruler of our country? 
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like SNAP benefits & healthcare premiums are already taking a hit 
... Congress needs to get back 2 basics! 
At the same time, isn't it kinda messed up that Congress is more concerned with behind-the-scenes negotiations than taking bold action on the issues that really matter?
It's all so secretive and unaccountable... what happened to transparency? 
. We need Congress to be more proactive on issues affecting our daily lives, not just wait around for someone else to make decisions 
. It's disheartening to see them squabbling behind closed doors instead of working together for the greater good 
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. Meanwhile, everyday Americans are getting screwed by the lack of action from Congress. SNAP benefits are dwindling, healthcare premiums are skyrocketing... when will they take a stand for us? The erosion of Congressional power is a ticking time bomb, and we need to wake up and demand change 
! It's crazy how long it's been since Congress last voted, and now people are struggling with things like SNAP benefits 
. I think the House of Reps needs to step up their game and take control of the situation 
. This is a classic example of what happens when Congress gets too polarized and loses touch with its constituents 
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. And now SNAP benefits are dwindling and healthcare premiums are skyrocketing? This is a disaster waiting to happen! We need Congress to take some real action here, not just sit around twiddling their thumbs while the president runs wild 
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