Why America's Lawmakers Say Congress is Broken, Not Just Sleeping
Ex-lawmakers from both parties warn US Congress is dysfunctional, polarized, and unable to effectively govern due to systemic issues.
More details:
The Big Team in Washington is Feeling a Bit Under the Weather!
Imagine your school project group, but everyone is grumpy and nobody can agree on what to do. That's a bit like what's happening with a very important group in our country called Congress.
This big team is made up of lawmakers who are supposed to help run the United States. They make rules and decide important things, kind of like grown-ups making sure everyone gets a turn on the swings.
But right now, many of the people who used to be on this team, and even some who are still there, are saying it's not working very well. They feel like they can't get big, important jobs done.
A lot of these grown-ups are even leaving their jobs in Congress because they're frustrated. It's like your best players quitting the team because they're tired of losing!
🚨 How Fox Would Spin It (Probably with Very Loud Music!)
"BREAKING NEWS ALERT! The RADICAL LEFT has completely DESTROYED Congress! It's an absolute DISASTER! Lawmakers are FLEEING, running for the hills, because they simply cannot STAND President Trump's powerful leadership!"
"These weak, woke politicians are too busy trying to cancel everything and refuse to work for REAL Americans! They're quitting because they don't want to deal with a President who puts America FIRST! It's a Democrat DRAIN, folks, and our institutions are COLLAPSING thanks to their socialist agenda! SAD!"
🌿 DeFoxed Reality Check (Let's Turn Down the Volume and Look Closely)
Whoa there, little foxes! Let's pause and untangle that loud story. While it's true that many lawmakers are leaving Congress, it's not just one team's fault.
People from BOTH big parties, Republicans and Democrats, are saying that Congress is having some serious long-term problems. It's like a car that's been sputtering for a while, not just since the last driver got in.
One big reason is that power has become very centralized. This means a few very powerful leaders at the top are making almost all the big decisions. This leaves less room for everyone else to share their ideas or fix problems in their own communities.
Think of it like a soccer game where only the captain is allowed to kick the ball! Everyone else feels left out and can't use their special skills.
Another issue is that lawmakers don't spend as much time together anymore. Years ago, they'd live in Washington D.C. for longer and get to know each other, even the people from the other team. They'd share barbecues and watch each other's kids play.
Now, they zip in and out, working only a few days a week in D.C. "You have to know somebody a little bit before you trust them," said former Rep. Jim McDermott. When you don't know your colleagues well, it's much harder to agree on things and compromise.
Plus, it's become a really tough and sometimes scary place to work. Lawmakers face many more threats than they used to, and it takes a toll on their families too.
Some even say that Congress has given too much power to the President, no matter who that President is. This means Congress isn't doing all the important balancing work it's supposed to do.
It’s like when you’re building a tower of blocks, and one person keeps taking all the best pieces and putting them on their own tiny tower. It messes up the whole big project!
So, it's not just one simple reason, but a mix of things that have been growing over many years, making Congress feel a bit "in a coma," as former Rep. Jim Cooper put it.
💡 Why This Matters (It's a Big Deal for Everyone!)
You might wonder, "Why should I care if these grown-ups in Washington are having a tough time?" Well, it's a really big deal for everyone in the country.
If Congress isn't working properly, it means our country has a harder time solving important problems, like making good rules for schools, keeping our roads safe, or helping people get jobs.
When lawmakers can't work together, it can slow down everything that helps our communities. This means less progress for you and your family.
We need our elected officials to be able to talk, listen, and find common ground, even when they disagree. This helps ensure our country stays strong and fair for everyone, just like a good team needs all its players working together to win the game.
Spread the truth
Share this story
Help more people read the De-Foxed version of this news.
Stay informed
Subscribe to DeFoxed updates
Get the latest De-Foxed breakdowns, shareable cards, and video summaries in your inbox. No spin, just facts.
Want to test your own media bubble?
Take the MAGA Cult Test