A house not so divided

This election cycle has certainly had its surprises, and unity was a surprise in this November’s election. Every four years, a new Congress is introduced and sometimes a new president is elected. While Democrats and Republicans have battled for Washington for well over a century, it seems this election has played to the Republicans’ favor very well. 

During the November election, America elected a Republican majority in both houses of Congress as well as the president. This has only happened twice in the past century and wasn’t expected to occur again within the next few election cycles, let alone the present one. This means issues that appeal more to Republicans will be key in influencing how laws are created for the next four years.

While unity is not a bad thing, Democrats may dislike being a minority in all chambers of Congress; however, Congress is unified nonetheless, meaning more legislation can be passed. This past 113^th Congress was singularly the least effective Congress to be elected, only passing 234 bills in the Congress’ tenure, the least ever in history.

Ineffective congresses can be caused by a lack of leadership, conflicting lobbyists or a simple lack of agreement on the part of those involved in the law-making process. However, the most recurring reason is a stacked Congress. When the two chambers of Congress are ruled by conflicting parties, change is scarce.  

For Republicans to control both chambers of Congress and occupy the presidency means that it will be much easier to pass legislation without any hindrances from opposing parties. While effectiveness is typically a good thing, Democrats and Americans fear that a Republican-controlled Congress will overturn any progress or laws that have been passed in the past eight years, making any progress made by the last Congress ineffective.

While a Republican-controlled Washington may seem scary to some people, it’s important to note that there will always be resistance in Washington and that Washington always cycles through which party is in control. That’s how democracy works and how bipartisanship brings new, diverse ideas into fruition.

by Brandon Hussey