Joe Biden claimed he was going to “build back better” in his first term. But few Americans will agree that he’s done much to restore the country’s fortunes.
The president is dependent on Congress to get nearly anything done. Biden needs to work with both chambers, if he hopes to secure major victories for the American people
So, how successful has the administration been this year? This statistic will surprise many Americans.
From Axios:
The 118th Congress is on track to be one of the most unproductive in modern history, with just a couple dozen laws on the books at the close of 2023, according to data from data analytics firm Quorum…Just 20 bills have been passed by both chambers and signed into law this year, with another four currently awaiting President Biden’s signature, according to the Quorum data.
This year, Congress has passed fewer laws than any other Congress in decades. By the end of the year, it will have passed only 24 bills. This will come as a shock to most Americans.
Part of the gridlock comes in the form of a split Congress. The upper chamber is controlled by Democrats. The lower chamber has a Republican majority. Both majorities are slim, meaning neither party has a strong upper head.
Instead of cooperating across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans have bitterly fought tooth and nail. Some pundits have claimed the nation hasn’t been this divided since the Civil War.
This might come as good news to some. Because Republicans control the House, little of Biden’s big government agenda has gotten through this year. Biden has demanded gun control, legalized abortion, and more massive spending (not to mention more cash for Ukraine).
All that has failed.
But, at the same time, America faces critical problems that cannot be ignored. The border continues to pose a major threat to the U.S.’s stability. A freeze on drilling has hampered energy prices and dragged out the inflation crisis. And problems with nations like Iran and China continue to grow.
Without cooperation by both parties, little can be done in Congress. And that is not good, given the crises we are facing.
Key Takeaways:
- This year’s Congress has been the least productive in decades.
- Congress will have only passed 24 bills this year.
- This comes as the nation struggles with major problems, including the border and the economy.
Source: Axios