The Great Resignation: Why Congress is Broken and Staffers are Quitting

💔A large majority of senior staffers believe that Congress is not functioning and is plagued by polarization and toxic rhetoric.

🚪Many senior members of Congress, including rising stars, are resigning due to their frustration with the current state of politics and their disillusionment with the institution.

🌪️The brain drain in Congress has resulted in a cultural and generational turnover, with a rise in the number of politicians who prioritize extreme views and personal gain over responsible legislation.

🚫The chaos caucus, composed of extremist members, has gained influence and is backed by former President Donald Trump, further contributing to the dysfunction of Congress.

🏛️The toxic and narcissistic environment of Congress, coupled with the lack of meaningful legislation and clout for backbenchers, has driven many lawmakers to consider leaving.

Why are members of Congress quitting?

—Members of Congress are quitting due to their frustration with the dysfunctional nature of the legislative body, the toxic and polarized environment, and their disillusionment with the current state of politics.

Are resignations more common among Republicans or Democrats?

—Resignations have been accelerating among both Republicans and Democrats, signaling the dissatisfaction and brain drain from Congress as a whole.

What impact do resignations have on the balance of power?

—Resignations have been shrinking the Republican majority, which was already razor thin. This creates a challenging situation for the leadership and makes passing legislation even more difficult.

Who are some examples of prominent resignations?

—Examples of prominent resignations include Mike Gallagher, a rising star in the Republican Party, and several other members who have decided not to seek reelection or to retire from Congress.

What is causing the dysfunction in Congress?

—The dysfunction in Congress can be attributed to several factors, including polarization, toxic rhetoric, the influence of extremist voices, and the lack of meaningful legislation and clout for backbenchers.

00:00A recent survey reveals that a large majority of senior staffers believe that Congress is not functioning and is plagued by polarization and toxic rhetoric.

00:19Prominent members of Congress, including rising stars, have been resigning due to their frustration with the current state of politics and their disillusionment with the institution.

05:06The rise in resignations among both Republicans and Democrats signifies a brain drain and a cultural turnover in Congress, with extreme views and personal gain taking precedence over responsible legislation.

08:09The influence of the chaos caucus, the toxic and narcissistic environment of Congress, and the limited clout for backbenchers have all contributed to lawmakers considering leaving their positions.