What Happened to Congress?

Congress is the first branch of the US government. The Constitution gives it the power to write laws, control federal spending, and declare war. So how did it become one of America's least trusted institutions, and why do presidents increasingly govern without it?

In this episode, we trace the century-long transformation of Congress, from the expansion of federal power and the rise of campaign fundraising to omnibus bills and executive orders. Along the way, we ask whether a system designed to move slowly can still function in a world that expects instant action.

Guest: Craig Volden, professor of public policy and politics at the University of Virginia and co-author of "Legislative Effectiveness in the United States Congress."

Additional resources:

https://join1440.com/t/us-congress

https://join1440.com/t/us-constitution

Credits:

A production of Rhyme Media for 1440 Media

Host: Sony Kassam

Producer: Nicolo Majnoni

Editor: Dan Bobkoff

Fact-Checker: Alice Jones