Is the recent display of bipartisanship in Congress sustainable?
A remarkable event has unfolded in American politics. Despite deep divisions, a wave of bipartisanship has allowed Congress to push through crucial legislation, despite opposition from staunch obstructionists in the House of Representatives. How did this come to be?
At the start of the 118th Congress, the Republican Party held one of the slimmest House majorities in U.S. history, with its most radical members seemingly in charge. Kevin McCarthy was elected speaker after a grueling 15 rounds of voting. To secure the position, Mr. McCarthy agreed to include hard-right members on the influential Rules Committee, giving them the power to undermine party leadership. He also allowed a rule change that permitted a single member of Congress to trigger a vote on his removal. The influence of the extreme caucus reached its peak when eight Republicans joined forces with the Democratic Party to oust Mr. McCarthy from the speakership in October 2023.
Despite their significant procedural power, the extremists have surprisingly had minimal impact on policy decisions. The recent passing of legislation to support Ukraine and other allies is a prime example. President Joe Biden signed it into law on April 24th (alongside a bipartisan effort to restrict TikTok unless it is divested by its Chinese owner).
2024-04-25 08:57:49
Source from www.economist.com