There has long been a complex and changing relationship between Congress and the presidency. Many variables contribute to the creation of the dynamic rivalry in government. The lack of bipartisanship and the increase in partisan politics has played a key role. The current circumstances between the Congress and presidency are dysfunctional.
History plays an important role in understanding the rivalry between Congress and the presidency. The framers created the enduring rivalry with the establishment of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution separated the three branches of government but combined their function. The branches of government have shared powers, which creates conflict. The Congress has all of the legislative authority but …show more content…
Since 1960, the moderates in Congress have been decreasing in number. The growing partisan politics has driven all the moderates out or made it not politically viable. This was illustrated by the fact that two moderate Senators, Democrat Kent Conrad and Republican Olympia Snowe decided not to run for reelection because of partisan politics. The parties have moved to the extreme ends of the spectrum in recent years. Republicans have become more conservative, while democrats have become more liberal. The importance of moderates is in the fact that they are the compromisers and the negotiators. The moderates are the group that can cross between parties. Without an ideological middle, there is no place to compromise. To have a functional government Congress and the President need to be able to come to some agreements. The president used to be able to work with the moderates to create a coalition to get a bill passed. A bipartisan center is vital for the president and Congress to address the issues important to the country. The Congress needs to able to compromise on bills or it cannot cooperate with the presidency. The missing middle contributes to the dysfunctional relationship in …show more content…
The continued partisan politics and lack of cooperation has hurt the government. The Congressional and presidential institutions are now in an unproductive and dysfunctional relationship. Reforms will need to be made if Americans wants to go back to having a properly functioning
History plays an important role in understanding the rivalry between Congress and the presidency. The framers created the enduring rivalry with the establishment of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution separated the three branches of government but combined their function. The branches of government have shared powers, which creates conflict. The Congress has all of the legislative authority but …show more content…
Since 1960, the moderates in Congress have been decreasing in number. The growing partisan politics has driven all the moderates out or made it not politically viable. This was illustrated by the fact that two moderate Senators, Democrat Kent Conrad and Republican Olympia Snowe decided not to run for reelection because of partisan politics. The parties have moved to the extreme ends of the spectrum in recent years. Republicans have become more conservative, while democrats have become more liberal. The importance of moderates is in the fact that they are the compromisers and the negotiators. The moderates are the group that can cross between parties. Without an ideological middle, there is no place to compromise. To have a functional government Congress and the President need to be able to come to some agreements. The president used to be able to work with the moderates to create a coalition to get a bill passed. A bipartisan center is vital for the president and Congress to address the issues important to the country. The Congress needs to able to compromise on bills or it cannot cooperate with the presidency. The missing middle contributes to the dysfunctional relationship in …show more content…
The continued partisan politics and lack of cooperation has hurt the government. The Congressional and presidential institutions are now in an unproductive and dysfunctional relationship. Reforms will need to be made if Americans wants to go back to having a properly functioning