The US Congress has become increasingly irrelevant as the country prepares for its first major test since the 2026 midterms, when Americans will decide who represents them in Washington. A year before that, Congress will be on the ballot in every state and district, but currently, it's not giving voters much to go on.
With the government shutdown entering its 40th day without a resolution, the House of Representatives has been absent from town for over six weeks - the longest such absence since its typical summer recesses or election periods. The Senate, however, continues to hold votes and engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations with bipartisan lawmakers trying to end the standoff.
Meanwhile, many critical consequences of the shutdown are starting to bite, including dwindling SNAP benefits and skyrocketing healthcare costs. In these circumstances, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Congress to assert itself as a legitimate lawmaking body. The lack of action from lawmakers is not just an oversight but part of a long-term trend that has eroded their power.
In the 18th century, when the US Constitution was written, Congress was placed first in Article 1 - this deliberate placement was meant to underscore its role as the foundation of republican governance. However, since Donald Trump came into office in 2025, many of his actions have undermined that original vision. The president has wielded immense power over policy changes and federal government reorganization, largely without Congressional intervention.
This shift away from Congress' constitutional powers is attributed to decades-long processes like "political nationalization" - a phenomenon where American politics increasingly focus on national issues rather than local concerns or individual perspectives. This shift has elevated the presidency's influence while diminishing the role of individual members of Congress who are now more likely to follow party lines instead of representing their constituents.
As a result, voters tend to focus more on presidential elections and less on congressional ones, leading to the president wielding greater influence over the country's policy direction than Congress. Even when Congress does assert itself, its legitimacy is often called into question by partisan opponents rather than standing for principled or substantive positions that matter to the people.
Furthermore, a weak Congress paired with an "Imperial Presidency" creates the conditions for unchecked power - leaving voters and their elected officials without crucial checks on government abuses. This lack of oversight makes it difficult to hold leaders accountable when they break constitutional boundaries.
Given this situation, one can argue that the lack of action from Congress is not just a temporary inconvenience but a fundamental shift in its relationship with power within the country's governance structure.
With the government shutdown entering its 40th day without a resolution, the House of Representatives has been absent from town for over six weeks - the longest such absence since its typical summer recesses or election periods. The Senate, however, continues to hold votes and engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations with bipartisan lawmakers trying to end the standoff.
Meanwhile, many critical consequences of the shutdown are starting to bite, including dwindling SNAP benefits and skyrocketing healthcare costs. In these circumstances, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Congress to assert itself as a legitimate lawmaking body. The lack of action from lawmakers is not just an oversight but part of a long-term trend that has eroded their power.
In the 18th century, when the US Constitution was written, Congress was placed first in Article 1 - this deliberate placement was meant to underscore its role as the foundation of republican governance. However, since Donald Trump came into office in 2025, many of his actions have undermined that original vision. The president has wielded immense power over policy changes and federal government reorganization, largely without Congressional intervention.
This shift away from Congress' constitutional powers is attributed to decades-long processes like "political nationalization" - a phenomenon where American politics increasingly focus on national issues rather than local concerns or individual perspectives. This shift has elevated the presidency's influence while diminishing the role of individual members of Congress who are now more likely to follow party lines instead of representing their constituents.
As a result, voters tend to focus more on presidential elections and less on congressional ones, leading to the president wielding greater influence over the country's policy direction than Congress. Even when Congress does assert itself, its legitimacy is often called into question by partisan opponents rather than standing for principled or substantive positions that matter to the people.
Furthermore, a weak Congress paired with an "Imperial Presidency" creates the conditions for unchecked power - leaving voters and their elected officials without crucial checks on government abuses. This lack of oversight makes it difficult to hold leaders accountable when they break constitutional boundaries.
Given this situation, one can argue that the lack of action from Congress is not just a temporary inconvenience but a fundamental shift in its relationship with power within the country's governance structure.
? It's like they're all playing politics and forgetting about us regular folk. The shutdown is getting out of hand and it's not just the people who are suffering, but also the system as a whole. I mean, Congress was meant to be the backbone of our government, but now it feels like an afterthought 
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. It's like they think they're above the law or something. Newsflash: they're not. The Constitution is there for a reason, and it's time we start enforcing it again 
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. We deserve better than politicians who are more concerned with party lines than people 
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? We need some real leadership around here, not just a bunch of career politicians who only care about their next election 
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. They're basically invisible and it's like they've given up on doing their job. The government shutdown has been going on for ages and they're just too scared to make a move, but instead of taking charge, they're letting the president do everything.
. I mean, come on, Congress was meant to be in charge, not the other way around! It's like they've been sleepwalking through their responsibilities and it's time for them to wake up and smell the coffee 
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. We can't keep relying on politicians who are more interested in lining their own pockets than in serving us 
. It's time for some real accountability and maybe then Congress will remember what they're supposed to be doing 
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is like what's goin on w/ US Congress rn?! 
dont get me wrong, bipartisan negotiations r cool & all but seriously how can u call urself a legit lawmakinh body when u got a 40 day gov shutdown still not resolved 
like wut happened to the ppl? SNAP benefits & healthcare costs are SKYROCKETING 
... like i get it, things take time and all, but 40 days without resolution? that's a major red flag 
. it's like they're just letting the president do whatever he wants, no checks and balances, no oversight... it's concerning 
. and yeah, the shutdown effects are real, people need help with SNAP benefits and healthcare costs are through the roof 
. and can we talk about this "Imperial Presidency" thing? it sounds like a recipe for disaster 
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