Congressional stagnation originates from the theory that Congress has become stagnant through the continuous re-election of the majority of incumbents, which preserves the status quo. This is an extremely big issue that’s affecting our political system negatively and it needs to be directly addressed. The roots of this problem stems from the fact that there is no public campaign finance available for Congressional candidates.
Unlike presidential candidates, the campaign finance legislation does not offer public funding to congressional candidates for their campaign (Volkomer). Thus this financial burden falls on the shoulders of the congressional candidates. It proves to be a hindrance especially for most of the incumbents who plan on reelecting who cannot focus and dedicate a sufficient amount of time for work while at the same time traveling around the country to fundraise money for their political campaigns. There is a struggle for time management. …show more content…
Campaigns don’t come cheap so candidates must start early fundraising so they can reach an adequate amount to fund their campaign. According to CNN, the cost to win congressional election jumps through the roof. There has been a 64% increase in cost for the Senate from $6.4 million in 1986 to $10.4 million in 2012 and a staggering 344% increase in the cost for the House of Representatives from $360 thousand in 1986 to $1.6 million in 2012. As the cost increases to fund these campaigns, it proposes a challenge for these congressional candidates who must raise enough money so that they can fund their campaign. All this immense concentration and attention is given to this fundraising, that incumbents often don’t balance these sufficiently. Therefore leading to this stagnant problem/dilemma that we are faced with
Unlike presidential candidates, the campaign finance legislation does not offer public funding to congressional candidates for their campaign (Volkomer). Thus this financial burden falls on the shoulders of the congressional candidates. It proves to be a hindrance especially for most of the incumbents who plan on reelecting who cannot focus and dedicate a sufficient amount of time for work while at the same time traveling around the country to fundraise money for their political campaigns. There is a struggle for time management. …show more content…
Campaigns don’t come cheap so candidates must start early fundraising so they can reach an adequate amount to fund their campaign. According to CNN, the cost to win congressional election jumps through the roof. There has been a 64% increase in cost for the Senate from $6.4 million in 1986 to $10.4 million in 2012 and a staggering 344% increase in the cost for the House of Representatives from $360 thousand in 1986 to $1.6 million in 2012. As the cost increases to fund these campaigns, it proposes a challenge for these congressional candidates who must raise enough money so that they can fund their campaign. All this immense concentration and attention is given to this fundraising, that incumbents often don’t balance these sufficiently. Therefore leading to this stagnant problem/dilemma that we are faced with