Dec 21, 2024 Story by: Editor
The 118th Congress has been labeled the least productive since the 1980s, according to data from public affairs firm Quorum, based on the number of bills signed into law.
 |
| Source: Quorum | Chart created by Simran Parwani for Axios |
Why It Matters
This measure isn’t the only indicator of success, but it highlights how political chaos over the past two years hindered effective legislating.
- Every fiscal deadline was marked by brinkmanship between the Republican-led House, the Democratic Senate, and the White House.
- House Republicans faced internal strife, including the dramatic ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
- Trust between House Democrats and Republicans hit rock bottom, further reducing opportunities for bipartisan compromise.
By the Numbers
Over the past two years, the 118th Congress passed fewer than 150 bills, per Quorum data shared with Axios.
- This figure is significantly lower than the 350+ bills passed by the previous Congress, where Democrats controlled both chambers and the White House.
- Since 1989, Congresses have averaged over 380 laws per session, making this session’s output remarkably low.
Historical Context
Split partisan control of Congress and the White House has historically been a factor in legislative gridlock.
- The 112th and 113th Congresses, where Republicans controlled the House and clashed with President Obama, passed more than 270 and 280 bills, respectively.
- Even the 104th Congress, during which President Clinton faced a Republican majority, managed over 310 bills — significantly outpacing the 118th.
Between the Lines
Passing laws isn’t always straightforward, as demonstrated during recent government funding negotiations.
- A sprawling, 1,550-page stopgap spending bill included provisions on health care, U.S. investment in China, RFK Stadium in D.C., and congressional pay — all counted as a single law in the statistics.
- Although Congress ultimately approved a pared-down version, some excluded measures passed separately while others were abandoned.
What to Watch
The next big test for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will determine whether this Congress’s low productivity stemmed from partisan splits or internal GOP discord.
- With Republicans poised to control the House, Senate, and White House, Johnson’s razor-thin majority means even one or two defections on party-line votes could derail legislation.
- His leadership will face its first major trial on January 3, when Congress elects the Speaker. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already expressed opposition, and other right-wing members remain undecided.
As Johnson takes on this challenge, the question remains whether the 118th Congress’s struggles were an anomaly or a reflection of deeper political divisions. Source: Axios
