2023 was the most unproductive session for the U.S. Congress in at least 50 years. The House of Representatives and Senate passed and President Biden signed fewer than 30 bills — far below the number when Republicans had majorities in one or both chambers and Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were in the White House. And much of the legislation enacted in 2023, like approval of names for Veterans Affairs clinics and a coin commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, was not substantive.

House Republicans are the main culprits of this congressional dysfunction. With a slim majority for their party, GOP extremists — for whom refusal to compromise has become a point of pride and doing nothing preferable to governing — have spent their time engaging in partisan political theater.

In 2023, the Republicans chose and then deposed a Speaker; spent 26 days without a Speaker, the longest such period since 1962; and censured three House Democrats, the most since 1870. Members routinely introduced “poison pill” riders to appropriations bills — limiting access to mail order abortion medication; prohibiting research on climate change; ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs; banning Pride Flags; and defunding........

© The Hill