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- #21 We Need Congress to do better.
#21 We Need Congress to do better.
We Need Congress to Do Better.
We Need Congress to do Better.
Lura Forcum, February 28.
Hi friends,
In the first two months of the new Trump administration, we’ve witnessed a flurry of executive orders and headline-grabbing news.
But in the midst of this rapid news cycle, one major player has been noticeably absent: Congress.
With Republican majorities in both chambers, this lack of activity is puzzling. Where are their ideas for new legislation? Do they have any pushback to the president’s nominations or policy positions? For members who took office in 2025, what do they see as their mandate from voters?
Congress’s lack of engagement reflects a major problem currently facing our political system. The changes that President Trump is spearheading could be far more substantive, lasting, and resistant to legal challenges if done through the legislature rather than executive order.
But so far, Congress hasn’t done much of anything.
This is surprising. As I mentioned, Republicans possess the majority in both the Senate and the House. Democrats are on their heels and are ready to cut deals.
Recent polling conducted by the Independent Center is clear on this: 50% of Democrats want to see Trump succeed in passing bipartisan policies.
However, Congress seems content to tweet, throw jabs in committee hearings, and rubber stamp the president’s actions.
It wasn’t always like this. Throughout history, Congress has acted on its own authority to protect its power and uphold its responsibilities. This was done regardless of whether Congress and the Presidency were held by the same party. Consider the following examples:
With the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a handful of key Republicans joined with Democrats to get the vote through Congress, before the bill was signed by Republican President Lyndon Johnson.
When President Richard Nixon refused to spend money that Congress appropriated, Congress acted to protect its power of the purse through the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
After the Watergate Scandal, it was Congressional Republicans who convinced President Richard Nixon to resign.
In 2009, Democratic President Barack Obama nominated Tom Daschle for Secretary of Health and Human Services, but Congressional Democrats expressed concern after it came out that he owed back taxes, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from consideration.
In 2005, George W. Bush nominated his White House Council, Harriet Miers, to the Supreme Court, but Senate Republicans found her unqualified and ideologically unreliable, leading to her withdrawal from consideration.
Any meaningful and lasting change must come through Congress. This is the way that our government is structured. But until Congress starts to actually do their jobs, we’ll be left with executive orders and an overly active executive branch.
Congress has done better in the past. It’s time for them to step up and do more now and it’s been gratifying to see more and more voters reminding Congress of their constitutional duty.
If you’d like to add your voice to that message, take a look at our explainer on how to contract your member of Congress. And let us know how you’ve been making your voice heard and what questions you have about making Congress more effective.
Best,
Lura Forcum
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Introducing the IC Mailbag Featuring Questions from You!
Why isn’t Congress doing anything about Trump and DOGE? Isn’t it their job to control the power of the purse?
DOGE is starting a needed conversation, but spending authority is a constitutional responsibility of the Legislative Branch. Right now, Republicans don’t seem inclined to do anything about the overreach from the Executive Branch, which has grown its power under both parties. This creates a concern about the withering of constitutional boundaries and our unique system of checks and balances.
Will Congress pass the tax cuts?
It’s hard to say right now. House and Senate Republicans want to get it done, but there are policy hurdles that need to be cleared from conservatives wanting to cut spending to Republicans from California, New Jersey, and New York insisting on the elimination of a cap on a tax loophole.
Because Republicans control both the House and Senate, should we expect a more productive Congress?
It’s hard to see Republican accomplishing much in this Congress. Although they have majorities in both chambers, their House majority is very thin. They may be able to pass minor legislation, but those bills aren’t typically partisan. The most substantial aspects of Republicans’ agenda, such as tax cuts and deregulation, can pass under special procedures that bypass the filibuster in the Senate, but those procedures are limited in what they can do. Hyper-partisanship is also a roadblock to bipartisan legislation.
The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the majority of the electorate.
We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
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