'Congress is in a Coma': Former Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Deepening Gridlock
As 2025 ends, the U.S. Congress faces criticism for a lack of legislative achievements and a rise in retirements. Former lawmakers warn the institution is 'in a coma,' citing long-term systemic issues.
The U.S. Congress is closing out 2025 with a remarkably thin list of legislative accomplishments and a growing wave of retirements, prompting stark warnings from former members that the institution is critically dysfunctional. Describing the situation on Capitol Hill as a 'coma,' these former lawmakers argue the paralysis plaguing the House is the result of problems that have been years in the making.
By any measure, it's been a year of legislative inertia. Key policy debates on everything from technology regulation to federal budgets have stalled amid fierce partisan divides. This gridlock appears to be fueling a sense of disillusionment among current members, evidenced by an increasing number of them choosing to leave office rather than seek reelection. This trend not only signals frustration but also drains Congress of valuable institutional knowledge and experience.
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